After dropping out in tenth grade, Lisa Churchill gave herself a second chance and went to college. Now she works with clients helping them find their second chances. She grew up in Clyde River and has been working in corrections for nearly a decade. She worked in Baffin Correctional Centre doing casework and reintegration plans in the minimum security section and currently works in the new healing facility as a program coordinator. Helping clients figure out which programs are going to be most relevant and helpful to them in their healing journey, she continues to support reintegration planning.

Part of what motivated her to work in Corrections has been the housing that comes with the job. Beyond that benefit, she enjoys helping clients facing trauma and family relationship challenges. With the experience of being a caseworker first, she has learned to identify what needs to be addressed first and recognize the challenges her clients are facing. She wants to find resources for them and to find more training for herself and her colleagues to better meet their needs so they can benefit from the healing environment. 

At work, she’s participated in on the job training, learning how to work with clients, communication skills, safety and security. “Even though I didn't graduate high school, I did have a chance to go to college… I'm still learning along the way, with the job that I am in and I enjoy it,” she beams.She takes part in whatever training the Government of Nunavut offers and she’s looking forward to attending a leadership program in the future. Given she recently became permanent in her job, she’s quite happy she gets to keep doing what she’s doing.

Her advice for Indigenous students and youth that are thinking of leaving their home for schooling is, “Even if it's hard having to face time away from home, in the end, it will be so worth it…. You’ll get to see your family at the end.” When she was going through college foundations, one of her friends really encouraged her to keep going when she was struggling. Her supportive friend challenged her about whether she really wanted to give up or if she wanted to keep going. Her friend reminded her she was almost there and stuck by her side through the hard times. With that support, Churchill persevered and finished her program. 

"Even if it's hard having to face time away from home, in the end, it will be so worth it."

When it came to the obstacles she faced in life, Churchill leaned on supportive friends, classmates and teachers. One of the lessons she learned along the way was, “Never be afraid to ask the questions that you're unsure of… if you don't ask any questions, you're just gonna be stuck in that loop where you're still questioning yourself.” Being away from her family was hard but being able to see them on social media helped.  

If she could give her younger self advice it would be, “You’ll go through so many different obstacles in life, but be happy where you are.  Be happy with what you're doing. Know when to say no. Know when to say yes. Be vocal.” 

To maintain her mental health, Churchill spends time sewing. She makes mitts and parkas. In her spare time she also likes to go swimming and spend time with the children to keep her mind off of her work. 

When it comes to inspiration, Churchill thinks of how her mother has overcome so much past trauma and become the person that she is today. “I see a lot of strength in her, more than before,” she muses, reflecting on how her mother has risen above her history. “She helps people bring the Inuit ways, knowledge and traditional practices and shares that knowledge with other people. That’s why I’m inspired by my mom,” she continues. 

Even though she dropped out in the tenth grade, Lisa Churchill gave herself a second chance at an education and went to college. Now she works with clients in the correctional system helping them find their second chances. Learning on the job and finding ways to help, she’s contributing to a healing environment and walking alongside her clients on their journeys towards better lives. 

Thanks to Alison Tedford Seaweed for authoring this article.