Katelyn Friendship

M.A. in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies

“As a friend said to me once, ‘our footprints are everywhere,’ I take this statement to heart and believe we have to be aware of how much impact our footsteps can have in this world,” says Katelyn Friendship, a graduate of the Masters program in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies at Trent.

A considerate individual, Katelyn describes herself as sensitive to, and respectful of, different knowledge systems and ways of living and learning. With a passion for environmental issues and with a desire to be both environmentally and socially conscious, she found a perfect fit at Trent for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees.

After completing her B.Sc. in Environmental and Resource Studies/Science (ERS) and Biology at Trent, Katelyn chose to study the role of Indigenous Knowledge in environmental health risk assessment in Yukon First Nations communities for her M.A., under the supervision of ERS professor Dr. Chris Furgal.

“I studied ways in which risk assessment processes can be more effective when dealing with environmental health issues, such as long-range contaminants in traditional foods,” she explains.

In speaking about her Trent experience, Katelyn says, “Trent gave me the opportunity to balance between the environmental and social sciences, which I believe is essential for someone in the environmental health (or similar) field.”

Reflecting further on her educational experience at Trent, Katelyn notes guest speakers, and traditional teachings offered through the Indigenous Studies program as highlights. Serving as a research assistant, traveling to conduct research or participate in conferences, and working as a TA are aspects she also enjoyed. Ms Friendship also notes working at Trent’s Seasoned Spoon café as an inspiring opportunity, where she experimented with her cooking skills and became part of an “environmentally and socially conscious community exclusive to Trent.

“Building lifelong relationships with people in the communities where I worked and with my colleagues have been important to me,” she adds, “I have many good memories because of my studies and faculty support.”

After finishing her degree in January 2010, Katelyn started her own business in environmental health consulting and now lives in the Yukon.

“I enjoy many opportunities to travel to, and work in, communities across the Canadian North. I have been working on a variety of projects related to food security, climate change, contaminants and health,” she says. “It is my hope to continue to work in the field of environmental health and work with communities for many years to come.”