Let’s Meet an UCalgary Political Science Alumni: Jilaine Cumming!

Jilaine Cumming graduated with a BA from the Department of Political Science in 2018

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you to the University of Calgary for your undergraduate degree?  

I am from the Northwest Territories (NWT) where I was raised in my small home community of Fort Smith. I grew up attending my Nation’s (NWT Métis Nation) government meetings and community gatherings. Like many indigenous people, there was a responsibility I felt from a young age to pursue an education that would help me develop skills that could be applied to reframing and writing policies that will have lasting impacts for my community. The University of Calgary and the Political Science Program offered an education where I could pursue those goals.

Where has your BA in Political Science taken you now?  

Since my graduation I have gone onto work in the field of Public Policy implementation and analysis. My first opportunity post-graduation was to work as a Policy and Legislation Writer for the Tsuut’ina Nation in Calgary, where I assisted in drafting and developing legislation related to Lands and Economic Development portfolios. It was such a privilege to work for this Nation that is implementing ground breaking work in establishing their own Laws and Legislation, written by their people for their Nation. I now work as a Policy Analyst with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment for the Government of the Northwest Territories.  

Do you have any words of advice for those considering the University of Calgary and specifically the Department of Political Science for post-secondary education? 

Get involved, reach out, ask for help and build your support systems at university as early as you can! There are numerous resources at the University of Calgary that can help you during your time prior to becoming a student, during and post-graduation. Ask more questions and don’t be shy, your professors are there for you and in my experience are more than willing to work with you to help you on your journey. The UCalgary and the Political Science program can be a close-knit community, you just have to choose and work to be a part of it.  

Is there an especially fond memory from your time at the University of Calgary that you would like to share?  

It’s honestly a lot of the little things I will remember most: the all-nighters to finish papers with my peers, the talks with professors between classes, the wonderful friendships and relationships I built, and numerous other small but significant memories. I will say that being involved with student leadership clubs such as the Indigenous Students Council and the Residence Students Association offered many additional fond memories and helped to shape me into who I am today. 

Thanks for sharing Jilaine Cumming!