University student becomes everyone’s favourite auntie

Barbara Venne a University of Saskatchewan student has gained herself a reputation and although she never sought it out, she is embracing it.

“We have this running joke that they all call me ‘auntie’,” laughs Venne. “I’m an older student and have lived like six different lives, so I try to bring that experience and knowledge to support (other students).”

Venne, a member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, is  a fourth-year student at the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), majoring in Supply Chain Management.

She is also the newest recipient of the Leadership Award during Indigenous Achievement Week.

The award, for the humble Venne, leaves her with more questions than answers.

“It’s a little overwhelming because with that award, it’s elected by your peers and I have no idea who did it,” she said. “I don’t see myself as a leader, but obviously other people do. So if me supporting them and cheering them on makes me a leader, then sure.”

If leadership was defined by those who do the most for others while asking for nothing in return, Venne is the textbook example.

“I’m a big cheerleader for anyone and everyone,” she said. “It’s really rewarding, it’s all warm fuzzies when I see someone accomplish something.”

A staple at the Rawlinson Centre for Indigenous Business Students she makes herself available for students new to the school. Anyone looking for advice, or just someone to talk to then Venne is there.

She’s also the event coordinator for the Indigenous Business Student Society, where she organizes events like welcome gatherings, round dances, and galas.

Venne’s contributions have made a significant mark on prospective and incoming students. The U of S offers business students at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) the opportunity to finish their last two years at Edwards, so Venne routinely visits SIIT to help recruit and encourage students to attend Edwards. As a result, her recruitment sessions have led to record-breaking amounts of SIIT applicants to the Edwards business program.

“To get through life, you need a support system, you need a foundation,” said Venne.  “When I went to SIIT or U of S, I didn’t have that foundation at first. When I did, that’s when I saw myself excel.”

Venne has a no shortage of life experiences to provide her with the qualities it takes to be a leader. After finishing high school in Leask, Venne moved to Saskatoon where she worked at the now shuttered Lucky Horseshoe Bingo. From there, Venne worked in retail, fast food, and as a valet before moving to Canmore to work as a registered massage therapist.

She then jumped into convenience retailing, managing a 7-11 in Canmore, the location of which had the most gas bays in Canada. The experience is what led to her wanting to pursue further education, starting at SIIT.

It wasn’t long on campus until Venne started making her mark.

“If you’re here at Edwards, you know who Barbie is because she’s always around, she’s always willing to help out wherever she can,” said Jocelyn Ormerod, Rawlinson Centre Coordinator and staff advisor for the Indigenous Business Student Society.

“She is who she is,” said Omerod. “She’s unapologetic for it and really embodies that big auntie energy.”

Ormerod said Venne has been a constant source of knowledge and support for others because she does her best to make every student feel welcome.

A worthy recipient for the Leadership Award because she’ helped build a community of inclusiveness, she said.

“Her leadership is very much the type of leadership we see forgotten in a lot of Indigenous communities,” said Ormerod. “She’s not a headsperson or in an elected position, but she’s on the ground, making change.”

She believes Venne has successfully built a sense of community at the Rawlinson Centre and her impact will be felt long after she graduates.

After graduation Venne wants to reconnect with her culture, and make a new mark in her home community.

“I’ve been gone 20 years from my reserve, so I lost a lot of my culture,” she said. “That’s where my ancestors came from, all who were hard workers. I’ve realized I want to be more involved back home and establish relationships there again.”