Alicia Kubrakovich is only in her second year at the University of Manitoba; however, she's already making a big difference. The Dauphinite is re-running for Co-President of the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association.
If successful, it would be Alicia's second year in the position. Kubrakovich's biggest priority is giving the Indigenous community at the University of Manitoba a voice. She wants everyone to be heard and she wants to stand by everyone's side.
"I want to continue my advocacy work. There is still a lot that needs to be done here geared towards indigenous students," said Kubrakovich.
Alicia says there needs to be more language working groups and more of a focus on wellness for the indigenous community on campus. Most importantly, Alicia wants every single indigenous student to feel safe and in a good place.
As the current Co-President of the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students' Association, Kubrakovich has certainly done a great job so far when it comes to giving indigenous students more of a voice on campus and the ability to feel safe while they're studying, many of which have left their families and homes to do so. She also does know that the work isn't done.
In her first year, she created the first-ever indigenous working group. That group was geared towards getting all indigenous community groups on campus to work as one.
"I'm honestly kind of shocked to be this far when it comes to my leadership," said Kubrakovich. "Normally you don't see second-year students in a position like this because it's quite a big role. It means a lot to me that I'm in this spot right now and I really hope that I get re-elected.
Kubrakovich says the University of Manitoba currently does have an indigenous students centre on campus; however, it's very isolated. She hopes that through conversations, that changes moving forward.
The Dauphinite is also a member of UMSU (University of Manitoba Students Union) and the UMISA Women's Council.
Voting took place the past couple of days and Kubrakovich will find out in the coming days if she will be the Co-President of the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association in her third-year which will take place in the fall.
