Diane Lorelei Brown

What Education have you taken?

I have two certificates from Red River College – Business Accounting and Educational Assistant. I am currently in the last semester of my Bachelor of Arts with an English major and a Native Studies minor. I have applied for Education, Senior Years stream, and am anxiously waiting to hear if I will be accepted into the program.

What accomplishments are you proud of?

Some of what I consider my greatest accomplishments center around people. I have been married for 32 years and my husband and I have raised two happy and successful adult daughters. I am blessed to be surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends.

I have volunteered for many years in amateur theatre. Whether I have been producing, directing, costuming or helping backstage with hair and makeup, I find working in theatre to be extremely invigorating. Not only is your creativity pushed to its limits, but the sense of community that develops amongst the people involved is very rewarding.

Since attending Brandon University, I have received two scholarships. The first one was the Margaret Laurence Scholarship in Gender and Women’s Studies and the most recent one was the Marion Bowen Scholarship in English Literature. I am grateful to have my academic achievements recognized in this way.

Tell me about yourself, your background, your history.

I grew up in the very small village of Stony Mountain, Manitoba. This rural heritage has produced in me an intense appreciation of nature. I am at my happiest and most content when sitting by a campfire, listening to the wind blowing the leaves of the trees and watching the sun’s reflection glisten on the water. Some of my fond memories include browsing the shelves of the “bookmobile” every two weeks when the mobile library came to town. The anticipation and enjoyment of the treasures that I would take home and devour developed a deep love of reading that is still with me.

How did you become interested in your field of study?

I have worked as an Educational Assistant for fifteen years. I have had the honour of observing many talented teachers positively affect the lives of the students in their classrooms. I have also been privileged to spend time with a wide variety of students and learned to appreciate them as individual people. This has motivated me to work towards having a classroom of my own one day.

I chose English Literature because it is a passion, in which I have some abilities. I also believe that communication through reading, writing and drama can help a person to grow into new ideas and expand their vision for themselves and others.

Native Studies was also an easy choice for me. I have the utmost respect for Indigenous culture and wanted to learn more about it in depth. After spending a year living and working in a fly-in only reserve in northern Manitoba, I also came to appreciate some of the unique challenges that Indigenous people face. I would like to be part of a brighter future.

What is your philosophy in life?

My philosophies are pretty simple.

• Value the people around you – treat them with respect, dignity and kindness.
• Everyone has something unique to offer.
• Difficult circumstances will arise, so you might as well choose to learn and be happy.
• Creativity is an essential component of a well-rounded person.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

In the not too distant future, I hope to be teaching full-time in a high school in or near Brandon. I would also like to pursue my artistic endeavors (writing, painting, acting) with more vigor. At some point, I would love to teach in another country and immerse myself in a different culture.

Nominator’s Comments

Diane has been a top English student and is also working as an Educational Assistant at Crocus Plains.