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After 18 years in the workforce, Ruthie Fitton made a big decision: to return to school full-time. A mother of three, she had built a career in customer service, most recently as a senior retail manager, but was ready for a new challenge. Today, she is studying Architectural Technology at Durham College’s (DC) Whitby campus and hopes to work within an architecture or design firm after completing her diploma.
Ruthie’s journey back to school is about more than academics. As a mature Indigenous student, she also welcomed the opportunity to step into a leadership role as the Indigenous Student Representative on DC’s Indigenization Council.
“I feel it is important to lead by example, and show that no matter what your age, you can come to school and learn new things,” she said. “I want to help ensure that the Indigenous culture continues to live within DC and I wanted to step up for not only the challenge, but to create awareness amongst the students and staff as much as possible.”
Ruthie hopes to build on her experience running the SOARS Indigenous group for Sephora Canada and create events, workshops, and an overall community for other Indigenous students.
She is encouraged by the Council’s presence at DC and its role in sharing traditions and being the voice for the campus. She also hopes to help the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC) have a stronger presence at the Whitby campus.
As a first-year student, Ruthie’s journey at DC has just begun, but her experience as a student has been incredibly positive.
“My professors have been very supportive when I have questions, and there is no shortage of support from different departments including the First Peoples Indigenous Centre, Student Academic Learning Services, and Information Technology Services,” she said.
As both a student and a leader, Ruthie has set her sights high: “My goal in my studies and in my work with the Council is to lead by example. I hope to be a mentor to younger Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and be an advocate for the Council and student population.”
