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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Who said you can’t do it all?

January 30, 2020

Growing up, all through my childhood and my teenagehood I was able to get involved in many different programs, thanks to my dear parents' encouragement. I did a lot of singing, math, church activities, and social programs. 

Later on in life, I discovered this notion: 

A jack of all trades but a master of none. 

In my mind, I was like, “BOYYYYY! Sigh ☹ who hurt you, really? Your life must have sucked really.”  I heard things like you can’t be a part of too many things but rather you need to “specialize”. The concept of being specific to one thing really bothered me since all through my life I was allowed to do all these things and now I looked like I was doing “too much” as I grew older. For about a year I struggled with this perception as it greatly clashed with my personality. In my mind, I tried challenging society’s school of thought. If I can do all these things and still aim for perfection, then why not? But really who is one of seven billion. For such a long time, I convinced my mind that I won’t be the epitome of greatness for as long as I kept venturing into different things. 

I forced myself to try and specialize in that one thing I loved but felt so confined in a box. The problem was I couldn’t really figure out that “one thing” since I loved everything the same. I then lived that mediocre life of doing only one thing and channeling my energy into one thing - engineering. I spent my first year of engineering trying to get it right and sacrificing all other things just to be that great engineer. It partially worked, but I could feel every fiber of my being wanting moreeee! I didn’t seek opportunities for my other talents just so I could focus on my school work.

After my first year, I told myself that school work alone didn’t cut it for me. I believe we’re all wired to be great at more than one thing. I dived heavily into my music passion and balanced it well with my school work. I was able to collaborate with my like-minded friend, Michelle, and we were able to start an initiative at Ontario Tech, Coffee House monthly sessions where anyone can literally pick up the mic and share their talents. I also dived into solos and did conference performances, and even CONVOCATION!

I got so much satisfaction in plunging my feet into different fields and I quickly realized that maybe I am a masterpiece. 

Maybe you too are a masterpiece, but you’re confining yourself into that linear space. Don’t be afraid to do all that you love. Be great in everything you put your hands into. Be a master of all trades, because you can be!