Year: 2023
Location: Lethbridge
Profile: Katie Rabbit-Young Pine (Tsikinaakii in Blackfoot) is a Blackfoot woman who has worked 7 different jobs and participated in many volunteer roles in efforts to help her people deal with many challenges. Raised in Stand Off, an Indigenous community 27 miles southwest of Lethbridge, she now lives on the Blood reserve. Born in 1959, she began her worklife at 16 as a waitperson. Next she became a counsellor at a group home and a social worker for the Blood tribe, though unqualified for both. Afterwards she obtained a Human Resources degree that has helped in later jobs. Her third job was as post-secondary coordinator for Red Crow College. So she lobbied to get Indian Affairs to contribute enough funds to match demand. Then, as HR director for the Blood Tribe Department of Health, she worked closely with UNA. Next came a role as CEO for Treaty 7 Management Corporation followed by HR director for administration of the Blood Tribe. Now an independent consultant, Tsikinaakii serves on the University of Lethbridge Senate and the board of Tourism Lethbridge. She is part of the Changing Horses NFP Society’s project to house homeless Indigenous people, involving them as planners and construction workers.
Keywords: Blackfoot; Blood Reserve; Changing Horses NFP Society; Counsellor; Human Resources; Red Crow College; Stand Off, Alberta; Treaty 7; University of Lethbridge Senate; Waitperson
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See also: Indigenous Labour in Alberta; Systemic Racism in Alberta; Women and Work in Alberta