Alumni Digest.

Community · Alumni Digest original

Three graduates carry community into work

Rose Esplen, Tristan Gosselin and Adrianna Lewis describe how Indigenous relationships and knowledge shape their plans for medicine, law and libraries. Published in Alumni Digest as verified reporting from the University of Toronto.

Rose Esplen, Tristan Gosselin and Adrianna Lewis describe how Indigenous relationships and knowledge shape their plans for medicine, law and libraries.

In the September issue
A woman places a ceremonial scarf around a grad's neck
Jenny Blackbird presents Adrianna Lewis with an Indigenous stole at a May graduation celebration. Photo: Johnny Guatto. Source image retained for editorial review; rights clearance is still required before any broader reuse.

The context

Where the work begins

Rose Esplen is heading to medical school at Queen's after studying neuroscience and physiology at U of T. A Fireweed Gitxsan graduate, she wants to bring her community into her medical career. Fellow graduate Tristan Gosselin, a Manitoba Métis Federation citizen, plans to pursue Indigenous justice and land claims through law.

The takeaway

What follows

Adrianna Lewis is focused on libraries. During her master of information degree, she helped replace colonial or racist cataloguing terms with community-preferred names. She also identified a book containing sacred ceremonial knowledge that is being returned to its community. All three found support at First Nations House during their studies.

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