Cover Story

If You Have a Dream, Follow It

Cathy Pictou Refl ects on her Journey to Becoming a Social Worker in her Community

In October 2015, at 52 years young, Cathy Pictou, a fi rst-year Mi’kmaq student from Eel River Bar First Nation, stood in the middle of the St. Thomas University campus, arms raised, asking her Creator why she was there. “I cannot do this work. I don’t understand the material or the academic language. The other students are all in their twenties. How can I keep up or compete?” Pictou said she remembers thinking that day. “Just at that moment, a huge bald eagle fl ew over me and glided over campus. The voice that spoke to me said, ‘Cathy you are not here for the younger students, you are here for yourself. Just think of all the hard work you had to do to get to STU. You can do this,’” she said. Flash forward seven years, and Pictou, now a graduate of the Mi’kmaq Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work (MMBSW), has been working in her community as a full-time Social Worker with Eel River Bar First Nation’s Child and Family Services for two years. “Never let anyone tell you that you’re too old to live your dream. As long as you have courage, determination, and support, you’ve got this.” Pictou started her fi rst offi ce job at age 40, working for the addictions program in her community. During that time, she learned to help community members struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, doing research, attending workshops and consulting with other addictions workers. She provided supportive energy and an ear to listen to others’ problems – but did not have the authority to help them further. “These people felt safe with me; they knew my worth. I understood where they were coming from with their inner pain,” she said. It was at this point Pictou said she realized there was more for her to do. After taking a psychology and social work course, Pictou decided to get her social work degree. A quick Google search brought her to the Mi’kmaq Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work program at St. Thomas University. Pictou applied to STU for her Bachelor of Arts as the fi rst person in her family to go to university. She said the Wabanaki Student Centre at STU, as well as Elder-inResidence Miigam’agan, other Indigenous students, and the community of St. Mary’s became her support system. Pictou then moved on to the MMBSW program at STU. The three-year program is designed to allow students to continue to live and work in their communities, commuting to Fredericton for a week of intensive learning each month, and then having the rest of the time to complete assignments at home, be with their families, and work. When she started her path in social work, Pictou wasn’t sure exactly what kind of work she’d end up doing. She said she’s grateful to be where she is today. Pictou works with guardianship, preparing new foster parents for their role and doing home assessments. She said she enjoys how collaborative and supportive her team is, and that she gets to learn something new each day. While Pictou said her story shows age is not a factor in pursuing any dream, her advice for others is to act sooner rather than later. She said her next goal is to eventually get her master’s degree. “If you have a dream, follow it, and fi nd that courage to step forward. Face your fears, they are not as bad as we think. Know your worth and live your life.” •