Academic X’cellence: Sharing stories from our inspiring StFX community
It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with StFX that our campus is filled with highly engaged students, educators, researchers, and leaders. Academic X’cellence shines a spotlight on members of our educational community to find out more about their unique experiences—both inside and outside of the classroom. (To see the full series, please click HERE.)
Here we meet Laurianne Riffault, a fourth year anthropology student from Ottawa, ON. Along with her studies, Ms. Riffault worked on campus as a peer educator with StFX Student Life with the goal of helping first year students find community. Additionally, she served as the president of the StFX German Society. In both roles, she says she was pleased to have the opportunity to create and contribute to events and collaborations between different groups on campus. One of the biggest highlights of her time at StFX came when she was part of a delegation invited by the German Embassy and Ottawa U to travel to Ottawa to share the experiences of the StFX German classes and its longtime collaboration with esteemed Mi’kmaw artist, author, and musician Alan Syliboy. Outside of class, Ms. Riffault is a highland dancer, something that has been a great passion of hers for over 15 years.
Laurianne Riffault: Finding community and culture
What drew you to anthropology?
I have always had a passion for history and archaeology. Even as a child I wanted to know every detail of how ordinary people lived and thrived at different points in time and different places in the world. By the time I started elementary school, I had decided that I wanted to study anthropology because it encompassed history, culture and learning about people. At StFX, studying anthropology has given me insight and helped me greatly in building and curating relationships.
Have you had a favorite class?
My favorite class at StFX has been German. I originally took it as an elective, but the enthusiasm, encouragement, and friendly atmosphere of the class made me want to keep signing up for German classes and to be a part of the German Society. A big highlight from this are the many opportunities I have gotten through that class such as meeting and collaborating with (Mi’kmaw) artist, musician, and storyteller Alan Syliboy. I have also enjoyed many anthropology classes at StFX. Some of my favorite classes have been with Dr. (Terry) Beaulieu and Dr. (Rashed) Alam. They make any course interesting and engaging.
Could you talk about some highlights, involvements, and accomplishments at StFX?
I have been a peer educator at StFX this year. This is one of the new roles this year. It is under the direction of Student Life and is led by Laara Richardson. Each educator has a portfolio they focus on. My portfolio focuses on finding community at StFX.
I am also the president of the German Society, and I have been involved with German Day. This is an annual event, which started years ago and one I have participated in for the last four years. It is an event to share culture with the campus and give them an insight on what we do in the course. This year’s event has been particularly memorable as Alan Syliboy joined us for a talk, which looked at the longtime collaboration he has had with the German class. One of the important moments from this collaboration, is the translation of his books. This is something which took place in my first year. Since it was a little advanced for the 100 class, we made posters about Alan Syliboy. One of the translations we did do was that of his song, "Mother Earth's Warning." This was challenging as certain concepts are difficult to convey in a translation. As learners, we are inclined to translate literally, word for word. This often causes the translation to lose the original meaning. It was challenging but very rewarding when complete. The German class has made the mission of reconciliation central to the course.
The biggest highlight for me was when this initiative was noticed by the German Embassy in Ottawa through presentations at German Day. They saw this as a model to be followed. In October, they invited Alan Syliboy, German coordinator Marlis Lade, myself, and another student to Ottawa to share our experience with the project at Ottawa U. The German courses at Ottawa U are interested in implementing a similar initiative in their courses. The Embassy also wants to use the book translations to publish them and make them available to more people so they can learn about the Mi'kmaw culture. During that trip, Alan presented a painting to the German Ambassadors, and it now hangs at the Ambassadors' residence.
The trip was surreal for me. Although I grew up in Ottawa, I did not think I would ever be in a position where I would be meeting ambassadors, sharing my class experience with dignitaries and the president of one of the biggest universities in the region. I feel very lucky, and I am very thankful for such an opportunity and experience. When I took the German class as an elective, it was not something I would have ever even imagined.
Do you have a path in mind for after StFX?
I plan to return to Ottawa and help my community learn about their past and build bridges with different people and groups in their community. I am currently building a project on LeBreton Flats to help the community learn about a forgotten francophone neighbourhood in Ottawa. The documentation project aims to collect stories, records, and accounts of the people who lived there. This was a working-class neighbourhood of mostly francophones. Despite having few advantages, the community thrived and formed its own identity. In the 1960s, the National Capital Commission forced people living in the community to find new jobs and homes. With the information and stories collected from those who still remember LeBreton Flats, I plan to make an interactive map, which allows users to have glimpses on what life was like. My family was one of those from that community and I want to use my skills to bridge the gap between younger generations and the history which has been forgotten. I hope to use my skills and experience to collaborate with others to expand the project in the future and include more communities and identities.
Would you have advice for a first year student?
If there is a class, job, or society that interests you, go for it! Apply and join them. You never know how it will impact you and what rewarding opportunities could come of it if you don't go for it.
