Lacey Roulette
What education have you taken?
I graduated from Neelin High School in 2011. After high school, I decided to take a year off to work and think about what path I wanted to go down in terms of my education. The following year, I applied to Assiniboine Community College and got admitted into the Aboriginal Community Development Program. I graduated from ACC in 2014 with my ACD Diploma. After utilizing my skills in a work setting, I began my education journey at Brandon University in 2016. I’m currently working towards completing my Four-Year Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Psychology.
What accomplishments are you proud of?
During my time at ACC, I received the Aboriginal Business Council Award and Bursary which recognized Indigenous students pursuing higher education in post-secondary institutions. In terms of work experience, I currently sit on three committees – Suicide Prevention Implementation Network, Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellness, and National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. As part of my work with the Aboriginal Mental Health & Wellness committee, I have helped plan two Creating a New Legacy conferences in Brandon, MB in 2015 and 2018.
Tell us about yourself:
I am from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. I have lived in Brandon since I was 7 years old. I’m the second youngest in a family of six. I have two older and one younger sibling, along with an amazing niece. Both of my parents are from Sioux Valley. However, we were raised in urban settings since a young age. I take pride in my Dakota culture, education, and work ethic.
How did you become interested in your field of study?
After ACC, I started working at the Brandon Friendship Centre under two programs called Brandon Access Exchange Service and Aboriginal Healing & Wellness. My experience with both programs led me to wanting to pursue a career in the helping field. After connecting with colleagues who specialized in mental health services, I became interested in the study of psychology.
What is your philosophy in life?
Always give thanks and count your blessings. Giving thanks to everything life has to offer is important in practicing gratitude and being humble.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I hope to be in a position where I can give back to my community and people. I plan on continuing my education in the field of psychology in order to advance my knowledge on mental health and well-being.
Nominator’s Comments:
I’d like to nominate Lacey Roulette for recognition as a young exceptional woman for International Women’s Day.
Lacey is a senior student in our program (next year she will enter her final year of her degree in the honours program in Psychology).
My impression of Lacey is that she is a “no nonsense/get the job done” student. She is conscientious, efficient, and effective in her classes. She just “gets” psychology, showing a depth of understanding that makes her an example to her peers and a credit to our program.
In addition to her school work and employment, Lacey is an actively engaged member of our community. She is a current member of the National Indigenous Peoples’ Day Planning Committee, the Suicide Prevention Implementation Network Committee, and the Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellness Committee. Her goal is to be a clinical psychologist. My hope is that we will able to keep her close to this community once she achieves that goal. She is a local asset that we would not want to lose.