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Day in the life: Mick Scow

- Melanie Tromp Hoover

A day in the life of Mick Scow—administrative assistant with Indigenous Governance Programs—isn't greatly different from his days as a master's student in the same program just a few short months ago.

"I really didn't want to leave—that's what motivated me to find work within the program," explains Scow, who completed his research into community-based resistance of Canadian colonialism this past spring.

"It means continuing discussions that I was fortunate enough to start having with professors and my peers while I was working on my graduate degree."

Transitioning from student to staff member in July, Scow is the first point of contact for students when they walk in the door. He's a sounding board—an all-things-to-all-people resource—for the students, faculty and staff associated with the Indigenous Governance Programs.

In the past two weeks he's attended eight graduate defenses, filed paperwork for these presentations, completed day-to-day administrative tasks, provided academic and emotional support for the range of people within his program and found the time to put together orientation packages for September's incoming class.

"It's definitely a task-oriented position, but I'm fortunate to work closely with the person I've replaced," says Scow. "Right now it's the calm before the storm."

Scow believes that the Indigenous Governance Programs—with its focus on Indigenous political and social thought within contemporary contexts— is helping the university build off-campus partnerships with Indigenous communities.

"The people in this program are leaders who apply their knowledge within the communities they come from," says Scow. "Our main focus is on nurturing relationships."

Outside of campus, Scow is beginning to lay down roots within the community.

"When you're in the grad school bubble, it's difficult to connect with the people outside of the academy that live in this area," explains Scow. "So I'm hiking with my wife and two dogs and building a relationship with a local carver and participating in reading circles at bookstores. It's personally important to me to become engaged and involved in the Indigenous community. I'm trying to walk the walk."

Born in Nanaimo, Scow is from the Kwakwaka'wakw and Snuneymuxw nations but grew up on Blackfoot territory in and around Calgary. After completing his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Calgary, he moved west to complete his master's and live closer to his ancestral homelands.

"When you're leaving the nest, having those support structures nearby is really important," explains Scow.

Though a doctorate degree may hold his interest one day, Scow's immediate future is focused on putting his research to use for new students in the Indigenous Governance Programs.

"I really don't know where I separate work and pleasure—it's all pleasurable to me," laughs Scow. "To find something you're passionate about and to be willing to do it even if it wasn't assigned is to work in an area that you love. This work is just part of who I am."

In the photo, Scow is holding the ĆELÁNEN drum created by local master carver Charles Elliott, who gave it to the Indigenous Governance Programs for use as its official logo (more info and video: http://web.uvic.ca/igov/index.php?page=story-behind-the-drum)

Photos