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My name is Candice Cook (she/her), and I am a member of Driftpile Cree Nation through my dad’s side and Métis with connections to the Cunningham family on my mom’s side. I also carry mixed European ancestry (German, Scottish, English, and French). I was born and raised on the southern shores of the Lesser Slave Lake in Treaty 8 Territory and am grateful to have been a visitor to the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territory since 2021.

My passion for education and lifelong learning has led me to pursue roles where I would work alongside learners through multiple stages in their education journeys. I began my career as a teacher in 2015. I was a high school teacher in Slave Lake for three years until an urge to travel and explore the world led me to become an elementary teacher in Prague, Czech Republic. After spending a year abroad, opportunities to deepen my knowledge of Indigenous Education and to work alongside Indigenous learners, called me back to Alberta where I enrolled in a Master’s Degree in Education Policy Studies, specializing in Indigenous Peoples' Education at the University of Alberta and joined the Braided Journeys Program within the Edmonton Catholic School Division as an Indigenous Graduation Coach. In 2021, I completed my Master’s Degree, moved to Victoria, and began my career in higher education as the Indigenous Student Support Coordinator with Royal Roads University.

These experiences have all led me to my current role as the LE,NOṈET First Year Coordinator. In my role, I serve as the main contact from point of admission to second year for Indigenous students who are new to post-secondary and in the first year of their undergraduate studies. I also develop and deliver programs and services such as workshops, one-on-one advising, and the LE,NOṈET Transition Seminar all of which are focused on ensuring that first-year Indigenous students have access to the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to successfully navigate university life. If you have just been accepted to UVic or are in your first year of studies, please reach out!

Beyond work I spend the warmer months outside camping, exploring easy hiking trails, and golfing. During the cooler months, I love to bead while watching my favorite shows. You can also catch me beading at Crafternoon at First Peoples House or during Beading Circle at the Indigenous Student Lounge in Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ (Sngequ House).