Meet the newest member of Concordia’s Aboriginal Student Resource Centre team

Concordia’s Aboriginal Student Resource Centre (ASRC) has a new student support assistant.

Azure Robertson (BFA 14), who holds a Concordia degree in art education and is pursuing her master’s in educational studies at the university, seems a natural fit for the role.

Hailing from the Kahnawá:ke Mohawk Territory, Robertson spent much time at the ASRC as an undergrad and knows first-hand what it is like to adjust to life on a city campus. She sees herself as a big sister to First Nations, Inuit and Metis students who access the centre.

“I have always found the ASRC to be a comfortable space, somewhere that I could get information and meet new people,” Robertson says. “My goal is to build on the great work the centre has been doing for our Indigenous students and to be someone they can come to for advice or if they need someone to listen.”

Beyond her educational background, Robertson brings professional experience from her time as an after-school art program director in Kahnawá:ke as well as seven years as an elementary school teacher, and will focus on creating events to foster community.

“Though the pandemic has made in-person events impossible this year, we will look at creative ways to get together. I want to build on past events such as traditional feasts as well as bead making and medicine bag workshops.”

ASRC in-house cultural support worker Vicky Boldo says she’s very happy with the new addition to the team.

“As a current Indigenous graduate student at Concordia working on her thesis, Azure has a deep understanding of the general challenges students face,” Boldo says. “Moreover, in light of this year’s online learning and juggling life, it is reassuring to have Azure with us. Her professional, personal and academic experience align with and even exceed this position.”

If you are an Indigenous student, be sure to check out all that Concordia’s Aboriginal Student Resource Centre has to offer.