Being an Anishnabe-Ikwe and working in an environment that’s filled with sexism and prejudices, Dorothy Myo realized, “skin color, gender – the problem isn’t me, it is with them.”
Dorothy preserved; and, with the help and guidance of Indigenous knowledge keepers continues to work for change.
She was one of the first of her family to attend university and received a degree. And since, Dorothy has been in leadership positions for most of her life.
“I would not have gone to university had it not been for SIFC (Saskatchewan Indian Federated College),” says Dorothy. “I can’t say enough how that made a huge difference in my life and career, because I feel so confident in my identity as an Anishnabe-ikwe.”
The most influential person who helped guide Dorothy was Ida Wasacase.
“(She) always believed in being bi-cultural and bilingual, in both worlds to succeed,” says Dorothy.
Dorothy worked in corporations including Nexen and SaskTel; and, although she was educated, she always felt like she didn’t belong.
These experiences influenced Dorothy to work closely with First Nations people where she felt happy and comfortable. Dorothy feels fortunate that she now gets to play a role in the protection and preservation in First Nation languages & culture.
“To be able to converse with external governments and then turn around and talk to our Elders in our First Nation languages, that’s the kind of education that I pursued and that I’ve been really fortunate to get,” says Dorothy. “I get my strength from all of that.”
As the President of the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre (2006 to present), Dorothy says she has had many challenges, as well as rewarding experiences.
She says the friendships she made during her educational career at FNUniv impacted her life dramatically and helped her endure the hardships along her career path.