deWit: Hard work opens doors for Aboriginal business grad

By any measure, Wet’suwet’en student Lisa deWit is an inspiration. She not only graduates this June with a business degree (with distinction), but she is also close to achieving a certified general accounting designation, something normally earned post graduation. She accomplished this while running a small bookkeeping practice, volunteering and parenting her 11-year-old daughter.

“I had a lot of support from many people, including the Native Student Union,” says deWit, who served as their finance counsellor. “They were my family away from home.”
In recognition of their support, and in her cultural tradition, she made and gave the NSU her first button blanket, which now hangs in their office.

DeWit says she treated school as a job and completed assignments and studied between classes during the day. “That was the only way for me, because I needed the evenings free for family time.” She also held group meetings at her house, and swapped babysitting with other student-parents so she could get out to evening networking events.

“It’s important to connect with others, have fun and get involved,” she says, speaking from experience. Last year she won a UVic Blue and Gold award for her campus volunteer activities. She also served as a BC Ch’nook Scholar, one of a network of Aboriginal students studying business full-time who also mentor and advise Aboriginal high school students.

“There are a lot of students taking law, social work or education, but not a lot of business students. I’d like to encourage them to think about business.

“My two work terms at KPMG opened many doors for me. My plan is to establish an Aboriginal accounting practice and educate others including practitioners. Many of them think we don’t pay taxes. Well I pay taxes every day,” she says with a laugh.

UVic has come a long way in improving Aboriginal awareness on campus, she says, but there is still an opportunity for more, particularly in business. She is inspired by her ancestors. “My great grandmother was a witness in the Delgamuuk’w decision, and the women in my family are very strong. I have a responsibility to my daughter to be a strong voice and strive for the day we as Aboriginal people are equal in this country.

“I’m at a crossroads now with a whole new set of doors opening. I want to serve the Aboriginal community and inspire others to see business as an option.”