Class of 2010

Diane Obed

Education opens doors and transforms individuals but for Diane Obed “it saved my life.”

Ms. Obed, an Inuit from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, who as a child was removed from her native home and placed into foster care, first enrolled in the Transition Year Program — a one-year program designed to prepare First Nations and African Canadian students for post secondary study. “I had a hunger inside that needed to be fed. Learning and education saved me and made my dreams come true,” she says. The professors in TYP became mentors and showed her the possibilities.

Ms. Obed’s experiences growing up in foster care sparked an interest in social work. “I had lots of interaction with community services and watched my family’s everyday struggle to survive. I am inspired to keep surviving, to be resilient.”

After completing TYP, she took several years of sociology classes. Those classes exposed her to the first positive display of her culture within an educational setting and were critical in her own self-discovery. “It showed me that I should be proud of where I’ve come from and my identity.” With her new insights she entered Dalhousie’s School of Social Work.

Her path of self-discovery continued while interning at Healing our Nations, an organization dedicated to educating First Nations people about HIV and AIDS, and helping in their rediscovery of pride, traditions, and spirituality. It was her supervisor’s unconditional acceptance and knowledge of traditional aboriginal practices that aided in her healing. “I gained spiritual insight and a sense of purpose, which is very important – I want to be reflective of those I help.”

Ms. Obed is interested in the safety and security of aboriginal women. Despite all her achievements she is still very aware and affected by the issues facing aboriginal women. She hopes to become involved in community-based programs so she can make a difference.

Given her own life experiences, Ms. Obed encourages others to “find out what drives you and remind yourself where you come from and what needs to be changed in our communities. Then follow your dreams and they will happen if you believe.”