Overcoming challenges on path of education

Charlotte Murray of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation graduated from Confederation College with a diploma in native and child family services June 10, following two years of personal turmoil and perseverance.
Her initial thoughts on the two-year program were reflections on her time in high school.
“Going to high school was different because I didn’t have a family of my own, no kids, no husband at home that needed my time,” said Murray. “So going back as a mature student, and having had two kids, being married, that in itself posed a challenge.”
Among her more personal challenges in deciding to return to school was a debilitating disease known as rheumatoid arthritis.
“It found me when I was 34. I’m 37 now, so when I first got diagnosed with it, it was really, really bad. I couldn’t even get out of bed. It wasn’t my favourite moment,” said Murray. “I look back now, and realize it made me who I am today. I’m able to push on.”
Murray said she enjoyed going to school at Confederation College at the Sioux Lookout campus, mentioning that studying there helped her develop her voice. She said she was always quiet in school as a teenager, but served as the spokesperson for the three other students in the native child and family services program.
“If they wanted something done, I was the one who had to speak up and say something,” she said.
Despite finding her voice in college, Murray suffered through nine deaths while studying.
“Every time there was a death in our family, normal people usually just stay home and grieve,” she said. “I’m the type of person where if somebody dies, I like to just keep on track, because if I just stay home I’m going to go stir crazy.”
At Confederation, students in Murray’s program must complete 420 placement hours. Murray chose to have her placement at Northern Nishnawbe Education Council (NNEC) as a secondary school student support worker.
“I was very fortunate,” Murray said of her experience at her placement. “I had 22 teenagers who basically became my big kids.”
Kayla Barkman, a Grade 10 student at Queen Elizabeth District High School (QEDHS), said that Murray helped her during school, giving her advice and helping her with English homework every week.
Grade 11 student Devon Mckay said Murray helped him during critical times during his time at QEDHS.
“We like to hang around with her a lot, visit her and her kids,” said Mckay.
Murray said she helped the kids out because she felt that somebody had to be there for them.
“Their moms and dads are back home, so they didn’t really have anybody else to turn to,” said Murray.
Werner Stunzi, a liaison officer between QEDHS, NNEC, Shibogama and Keewaytinook Okimakanak, said Murray cared deeply for the personal problems that some of the students experienced, and was often advocating on their behalf.
“She would take care of the students after work, after school days, and she would work closely with us on the academic part of the students progress,” said Stunzi.
During her time at Confederation, Murray learned to advocate for others, a skill she brought to Sunset Women’s Aboriginal Circle in Sioux Lookout where she was hired to work temporarily as a health outreach worker while another employee was on leave for the same disease Murray has.
“I’ve always been a firm believer that Creator never puts you in a place where you’re not supposed to be. The board for this position approached me in mid-April and wanted me to submit a resume,” said Murray. “I wasn’t ready to do so, so I just kind of forgot about it.”
She said they approached her again in mid-May, and because they asked her twice, she went in to check the office out. Murray said she recalls not knowing she was going in for an interview.
“So they’re asking me questions and then in the end they said, ‘so do you want the job?’” said Murray. “I was really surprised.”
Murray, who graduated with honour rolls, said her dad, who passed away last August, would have been proud of her accomplishment.