Fifty high school students from Akwesasne Mohawk Territory got a taste of university life during a recent visit to Queen’s. A day of educational activities saw them exercise their inquiring minds – in law and other subjects – in fun ways. 

“The students came eager to learn more about the law, law students and lawyers,” says Scott Stewart, Law’21, a facilitator who interacted with the youngsters throughout the day. “First, we played a trivia game we call Legal Jeopardy. The students, split into three teams, competed against each another for prizes. 

“All of the students were engaged and already knew quite a bit about the law!” he exclaims. 

Then Stewart and his co-facilitators took the Akwesasne teenagers on a tour of the school. “They became more curious about getting into law school and the life of a law student,” he says. “These interested high school students may be eight years away from starting law school but they were already inquiring about the profession. Overall, it was a great day because of the degree of engagements the students had towards the law.” 

During the visit sponsored by the Akwesasne Area Management Board, Queen’s Law and the Smith School of Business, the youngsters also toured Queen’s campus and participated in an information fair, workshops and activities with the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre and four university departments in addition to the Law Faculty. 

Ann Deer, Indigenous Recruitment and Support Coordinator for the law and business schools at Queen’s, once again organized the annual Akwesasne high school visit, now in its second year. She has a direct connection with the teens. “As a community member of Akwesasne working at Queen’s, I am a role model and a link for our youth to a top university,” she says. “The working relationship I have with people in Akwesasne, who are also committed to educational success for our youth, took a natural next step in bringing Akwesasne youth to campus. 

“Parents are comfortable knowing they can connect with me through social media, phone or email to say, ‘Hey, Ann, my daughter/son is coming to Queen’s for a visit. Can you look out for them?’ Or ‘We are visiting Queen’s campus. Do you have any suggestions for what we should be asking, who we should meet, what to see, where to eat, where to park?’”

This year, Deer received many messages from proud parents from Akwesasne and other communities. People she knows from connections with friends and family are always asking her to keep an eye out for their daughter, son, niece or nephew. “Often,” she says, “I feel more like a proud ‘Auntie’ as I am sure many of our Indigenous staff across campus feel when we see our Indigenous students thriving and becoming future leaders here.”