Galore Creek has been proudly providing educational bursaries in support of Tahltan students since 2006, supporting a broad range of education and career aspirations. The bursaries are a commitment of our Participation Agreement with Tahltan Nation and are a key element of our relationship with Tahltan community members.
In 2021 we introduced the Ann M Ball Bursary program in honour of Ann’s lasting contributions to the Galore Creek Project, the mining industry, and Tahltan Nation. The annual $5000 bursary supports emerging and active leaders in the community. For this year’s spotlight, we are pleased to feature Tina Etzerza, the 2024 bursary recipient.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us Tina, we are excited to hear about your passion for leadership. Congratulations on becoming the 2024 recipient of the Ann M Ball Bursary!
To get us started, please tell us a bit about yourself.
I live in Dease Lake with my husband, Eugene Etzerza Jr. We have three adult sons. I grew up at 40 Mile Flats and attended school in Iskut and Dease Lake.
What is your favorite thing about being at home in Tahltan Territory?
It is hard to pick one favourite thing here. I love so many things about living at home in Tahltan Territory. The two things I cherish the most are the people and the land.
Your passion, leadership, and drive to support your community is evident in your application essay. Your range of roles on the Board of Directors for the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, Board of Directors for the Northwest Regional Hospital District, support of health authorities and emergency services through COVID-19, and role as TCG’s Emergency Management Coordinator for Dease Lake show a commitment to supporting Tahltan people. Can you tell us of something that you are most proud of while in one of those roles?
The common thread in these roles is representing our people and giving back to the community at different levels. I am most proud of the fact that people entrust these roles to me. Without the support of the people, the community, and the Tahltan Nation I would not be afforded any of these opportunities.
You’re currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management at Royal Roads University. What led you to choosing this program, and how do you see it shaping your future?
I wanted to advance my career and personal business goals, but I felt like I was at a standstill. I have a lot of experience, but I realized I need education to go further. I decided to enroll in this program as the content will allow me to capitalize on my prior entrepreneurial and educational experience. The delivery model also allows me to remain at home in Tahltan Territory while I pursue my educational goals. In the future, this degree will broaden my career opportunities and give me the knowledge base to be successful in my own business endeavours.
Most importantly, what are some of your favourite activities to do in your free time?
My favourite activity is anything I do while spending time with my family. We spend a lot of time out on the land hunting, fishing, boating, biking, and camping. Besides spending time with my family, I enjoy teaching the younger generation about harvesting and preserving our own food and medicine. In the future, I plan to host workshops to share my knowledge of food preservation. It is essential to pass this knowledge on and lead by example.
Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring Tahltan leaders?
If you want to do something, then do it. If you see a need for something in our community, then get involved and make it happen. If you have an opinion about something then you should be thinking about the solution too. Leaders are about solutions, not about opinions. I have learned that if I want to see something done and I just start the ball rolling, people will get on board and help. It just takes one person to lead the way, and the support will follow. Communication is important. People don’t know your intentions unless you tell them, and then you must show them. You can’t just say you’ll do something and leave it at that. You must follow up with actions if you want people to trust you. I don’t think being a leader means you have all the correct answers because leaders are people, and people make mistakes. As a leader, if you realize that you made a mistake or misunderstood something, then admit it and make efforts to get it right.
Thanks for sharing with us, Tina. What a fantastic example of your passion for supporting your community and connection to the Tahltan Nation. We here at Galore Creek wish you all the best in your ongoing studies and future endeavors.
