Anika Campbell

She is an avid volunteer in the community, and always steps up to help where needed, such as the ATC Cultural Festival, the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, and the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games. She also has also spent time helping evacuees and delivering food to the homeless. YMM: Tell us about your career. AC: I am a Program Coordinator at CAREERS, where I bring career awareness and experience to young people ages 15-25 in our region. YMM: What is the most rewarding part of your career? AC: Although there are many rewarding parts of my career, there are three that are most rewarding. First hearing all about students’ internship experiences, what they learned, what they loved, and how it has shaped their next steps in their future career story. Second, planning events with Indigenous youth and young women and seeing them interact and engage with different employers and learn about a variety of career opportunities. Third, visiting and engaging with Indigenous communities, learn and gaining more knowledge as I grow. YMM: What accomplishment are you most proud of? AC: Being a teenage mother was the hardest stage in my life, but it is the one thing I am most proud of. Seeing my daughter grow and adapt over the past five years in an unknown place with no family or friends…she has grown into such an outstanding, phenomenal young woman, and I love being her mom. I don’t know what I’d be without her! YMM: What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? AC: In 2018, after losing my Aunty Kim who was like a second mother to me, I felt it was time for a change and decided that was the year I would pack up a U-Haul, with just my 10-year-old daughter and drive across Canada to a small city I’ve never been to, with no family or friends but just a fresh start! Best decision of my life! YMM: What motivates you? AC: Knowing that I can help one more youth in our region to start thinking about their future career story, and of course, my daughter! YMM: How have your priorities changed in the last 10 years? AC: Over the past 10 years, moving away from family and friends and being alone made me realize that I needed to shift my priorities around to ensure a better future for my daughter. YMM: What is the best advice that you ever received? AC: Always remember life is about growing and learning, never stop! YMM: What is the worst advice that you ever received? AC: Stay strong! I realized it’s okay to have weak moments too! YMM: What would you tell your 12-year-old self? AC: Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you are not enough! You are more than enough, you a worthy, and deserve everything you want in life. YMM: What does community mean to you? AC: Community is a place for people to peacefully work together to advocate, support, and make a safe place for the next generations to come. YMM: What keeps you in Fort McMurray? AC: I love what I do! Working with Indigenous communities, getting to know youth across the region and building relationships! YMM: What are you most grateful for? AC: Life! We all take it for granted, not realizing it is a blessing to be able to do all that we do! YMM: Who is your hero, and why? AC: Although both my mom and grandma have been huge influencers in my life, I would have to say my amazing grandmother, Agatha Lewis, is my hero…she has a heart of gold! She has shown and taught me so much over the years and definitely helped shape me into the woman I am today. Thank you, bestie!