Boyce Campbell - National Youth Panel Nominee
Shari Narine
Cando Contributor
Boyce Campbell is seeing success in his long term goal of creating a better relationship between financial institutions and Indigenous peoples.
“I’ve already started to bring together Indigenous businesses and the Bank of Canada so that Indigenous businesses can get their voices heard and for them to be included in discussions as how the bank can better serve them and their clients’ needs. I would like to expand on this as to be that bridge between organizations and Indigenous stakeholders,” said Campbell, who this September will begin his fourth and final year toward his Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Mary’s University, in Halifax.
Campbell, 29, an Inuk from rural Labrador, worked as a research assistant this past summer for the Bank of Canada, in Halifax.
Campbell’s path to his commerce degree wasn’t a straightforward one. He is a decorated veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. His service has taken him all over the world during his nine year career, including two seven-month tours overseas (one in Afghanistan with the Canadian Army and one in the Indian Ocean with the Royal Canadian Navy), and a two-month humanitarian mission in Haiti after Hurricane Ike.
He has also earned many scholarships and awards during his post-secondary career.
Campbell plans to take his mentorship program for banks and Indigenous stakeholders further.
“It will be open to all Indigenous peoples at first, and then my plan is to shift focus towards youth, and let their concerns and needs be the guiding voices towards how, and who, we serve,” he said.
Campbell says it “feels great” to be nominated for Cando’s National Youth Panel. He’s confident his unique path – coming from a rural community of 350 people, joining the army, travelling the world, and then pursuing post-secondary education – will serve him well on the panel.
“I feel I can share with others those life skills, and help other Indigenous youth that may be overwhelmed with the culture shock, change in scenery, and all the other feelings that accompany large life decisions, to see their potential, and see that there are people who’ve been in their shoes and have accomplished or are accomplishing the goals that they also aspire to attain,” he said.
As priorities, Campbell sets youth receiving guidance in order to accomplish their goals and discovering ways in which they can help their communities.
“I want Indigenous youth to be able to see their potential and to never question their worth,” he said.
