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Biography

My name is Aja Sy and I am Anishnaabe from Lac Seul First Nation on my mother’s side, and Pulaar and Wolof from Mauritania on my father’s side. I grew up moving around the lands of the Anishnaabe peoples in Northern and Southern Ontario, as well as Central Michigan. I first came to the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples as a teenager, and lived on these lands for four years before relocating to Sylix territory (Kelowna) for my undergrad. I am excited to have returned to the lands of lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples to continue my life and career.

As a Black and Indigenous young woman navigating the world with a mixed identity, I carry diverse forms of traditional and cross-cultural knowledge. I was raised by my mother in close connection with traditional and contemporary forms of land-based Anishnaabe knowledge. My unique positionality as a Black and Indigenous woman means that I am well-versed in the conversation of intersectionality, systemic injustice, and anti-Black/Indigenous rhetoric. These experiences inspired my pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, which I completed at UBC Okanagan on Sylix territory (Kelowna) in 2025. During my degree, I focused heavily on Indigenous community-led research across Canada, guided by questions of ethical engagement and traditional knowledge practices.

My lived and learned experiences have led to my position as a communications officer in the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement here at UVic. My role is to create culturally informed communications and marketing plans, guided by the objectives and priorities of IACE. I also work closely with the University Communications and Marketing (UCAM) staff to ensure broad and consistent IACE branding across campus. I am excited by the opportunity to live, learn and engage further with local lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ knowledge as an uninvited guest.

Outside of work I like to stay active and get outside as much as possible. I enjoy lifting weights, spin classes, hiking, and swimming when I can in the summertime. I’m also a sucker for R&B music and a good true-crime podcast, but if you see me on campus with my headphones in, don’t hesitate to say hello!