Blog Post: Meet Laila, Camp Programs Instructor

Hi! Aaniin, I’m Laila :)

I was born in Yellowknife, raised in Peterborough. My dad’s side is Indigenous while my mom's side is European culture. I graduated from Holy Cross secondary school, attending Fleming college. I have worked with TRACKS for 4 years now, with this being my fourth. 
I am passionate about Indigenous studies and cultures, and incorporating Indigenous Knowledge. 

I am very excited to bring this passion to TRACKS as a summer instructor and be able to teach and know that others are learning something from me that they can have with them their entire life. 

In the past I worked as a Trailblazer which specializes in leadership roles and being able to be comfortable with the level of work you're working with as well as the people and kids you're with. While being reliable and kind, you also have to be comfortable enough for people to come up to you, being able to ask questions when needed, it is very important that people know you’ll be understanding and be able to help the situation. 

I worked as a Trailblazer for 2 years, last year I worked as a junior summer instructor that focused on younger ages, I have worked to be a student leader and be someone that people would be able to come up to without feeling nervous or scared. This helped me to work my way up to be a better leader that I was the previous year, I reflected on mistakes and the accomplishments I made and made notes on what I can do to improve the next year. 

This year I am a summer instructor. I work with the same age as the junior instructors but do more cooperating in planning the camps. I love working with the kids and going outside, meeting new friends every year helps explore the person I am and realizing things I never knew about myself. 

It’s all rainbows and sprinkles until a camper gets hurt or starts fighting another kid, in that case responsibility is a huge part of how you’d handle the situation. It helps when you have younger siblings you’d have to deal with these fights daily, it's not about overpowering or showing your strength to the kids, acknowledging the main conflict and finding solutions and communicating will show them there's always a way to resolve a problem even if you think it’s the end of the world. 

I love working with younger kids and being outside so as soon as I saw there was a job available containing both, I knew I wanted to do it. Not knowing anyone I work with makes a huge difference because it brings you out of your comfort zone and learning things about a complete stranger is kind of exciting. The supervisors and instructors are very welcoming and kind hearted and helped me come back every year because it shows how comfortable it makes you as well as everyone else. Knowing you can go up to anyone and knowing you’ll be understood makes the biggest difference. 

I really do love and enjoy working with Tracks and it has helped me in more ways than I can count. I appreciate every opportunity I got. I realized all the opportunities I wouldn’t have gotten if I didn't apply and I am truly grateful.

Miigwech, Laila