Finishing what she started: Marten Falls member finds academic success in Saskatoon

Serene Spence of Marten Falls First Nation is graduating this fall from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.A. Honours in Sociology with an Aboriginal Justice and Criminology distinction.
Spence was born in Constance Lake First Nation but later relocated as a young girl to Thunder Bay. She is one of six children raised by a single mother. Spence feels that she comes from the same background as many youth in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation territory, a background that involved issues with violence, abuse and addiction.
Spence enrolled in the Law and Security Administration Program at Confederation College in 2001, while living what she describes as a “destructive lifestyle.”
In 2002, she gave birth to her daughter, Aliyah, and became a single mother during her time as a student. Her daughter helped her rearrange her priorities in life and she gave her education a more serious thought.
“I knew that I had to provide for my baby and make a better life for us,” Spence explained.
She graduated from the program in 2003, awarded with Letter of First Class Standing.
Around this time, she was introduced to ceremonies. “This is where I became connected with my spiritual identity which instilled pride in myself as a First Nations woman.”
Spence attributes her culture as a major component that helped her overcome the harmful lifestyle she was living.
She later gave birth to another daughter, Lauryn, in 2008, before enrolling in Confederation College again.
In 2010, she graduated from Confederation College’s Aboriginal Law and Advocacy Program, with an Aboriginal Canadian Relations Certificate.
“My children are my biggest aspirations to continue with any goals,” Spence said of her two girls. Spence took a yearlong break from school to deal with certain challenges, but decided that she had to go back to school to “finish what I started.”
Spence settled on the University of Saskatchewan located in the city of Saskatoon. She explained that she needed to challenge herself, and also viewed the move to Saskatchewan as a new start for her family.
“I found the Aboriginal Justice and Criminology program and immediately knew it was the program for me,” Spence said.
The program did present academic challenges for Spence, though she admits the stress was, at times, self-inflicted because she procrastinated on completing some of her assignments.
Spence credits her partner Dave Beardy as her biggest support system. Beardy was aware of assignment deadlines and helped push Spence into finishing her work. He also helped watch over the two girls while she completed her assignments. Spence also had plenty of other support from those in her life.
“My family, friends, program coordinators all have been great in instilling that motivation to keep going,” Spence said. She credits her siblings and Elders for her inspiration, as well as her mother.
“When I think I am having a hard time with two children, I think (my mom) did this with six!” Spence said. Spence’s mother went to college and obtained full-time employment while raising her and her siblings, which reassured Spence that she too could finish school.
By moving her family to Saskatchewan, it meant moving to a new place where they did not know anyone.
Spence coped with being away from her family and friends by keeping in daily contact with them through things like text messaging, video chats, and through social media to help curb loneliness.
Now that she will be graduating this fall, Spence is still uncertain on whether or not she wants to obtain a law degree or pursue graduate studies.
“I am planning on taking a one year break before returning,” Spence said. “For now we will be staying in Saskatoon.”
As for youth who may be struggling with school, Spence explained that it is “all about time management.”
“If you have children, finding that balance between being a caregiver and a student is vital. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need help, ask! Keep your goals in mind.”