Navigating culture shock when starting university after leaving a reserve: Editorial

In a recent article, Tehosterihens Deer discusses the culture shock that Mi’kmaw students often face when moving to study postsecondary education. Deer highlights the experiences of students and staff at Saint Mary’s University. Deer discusses SMU student Sósep Hatfield’s experience with travelling to Halifax from the Pictou Landing First Nation and his struggles with the isolation and stress that comes with living and studying in a new location. Hatfield notes the differences between what he was learning in his classes and the way Indigenous businesses operate. SMU Professor and former Indigenous advisor Raymond Sewell said that he reminds students “that their traditional knowledge is just as valuable as any other knowledge,” and noted that more work should be done to help students experiencing culture shock.