Tianne Jensen-DesJardins

English doctoral student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

As a Métis graduate student, I am inspired by the phenomenal work being done in the Indigenous Literatures field to create futures that centre Indigenous ways of being. As my work is inextricably tied to my identity, I am inspired to continue working in my field by the diverse Indigenous community members on campus (such as the lovely people in the Indigenous Student Centre and in the First Nations, Métis & Inuit Student Association) and in my local community in New Westminster.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

It is hard to choose just one reason that led me to SFU, where I have just recently graduated with my MA and where I will be returning in the fall to begin my PhD. I was initially interested in learning more about the English department at SFU after numerous discussions with my mum who completed the MATE program (Masters of Arts for Teachers of English) during the pandemic. Factoring in that I'd grown up in the Fraser Valley and would be able to continue to play soccer and curling on my local teams, I decided to do a little research into what made my mum feel so inclined to recommend the school. In my research, I was pleased to discover a welcoming support system for Indigenous students, including multiple spaces on campus for Indigenous students. I was similarly happy to hear about the professionalization courses that all incoming graduate students in the department of English are enrolled in during their first two terms of study. After starting my program, I came to really value the weekly professionalization classes where we would come together to check-in with each other and discuss strategies for TAing, balancing coursework with other responsibilities, key scholarly articles, and much more. Though I wasn't in all the same classes as all the members of the professionalization course, the weekly meetings created a real cohort relationship and led to some friendships that I hold very close to my heart even now after finishing the program. I am excited to see what this new program, and new cohort, brings into my life, and I am very glad to be starting this next step at SFU.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

My work focuses on Métis futurisms, which I like to think about as Métis literatures that imagine futures while remaining rooted in the rich history of the Métis people. Though some of the literatures I plan to look at might be easily recognized as sf or fantasy, I would argue that any resemblances to defined genres are secondary to the main goal of Métis world-making.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Métis, Indigenous futurisms, Imagining otherwise.

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

I have been extremely fortunate to have been offered the opportunity to work with many brilliant and inspiring professors throughout my time at SFU in many capacities. My TA supervisors have all provided fantastic support in building my teaching skills; my RA supervisors have welcomed me onto projects ranging from Indigenous literary awards to journal editing to copyediting a forthcoming book on Métis storytelling; and the thought-provoking coursework set out by my professors have helped shape my thinking not just about my own field, but about what it means to do research and be engaged within the academy. I am excited to jump back into coursework, TA work, and RA work in the fall.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I have recently been awarded the Indigenous Graduate Entrance Scholarship, which will not only be an asset financially as I begin my PhD, but also provides a sense of reassurance that what I am doing will continue to support the Indigenous communities that I am so very blessed to be held by.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

Balance. There is more to being a graduate student than completing your coursework. Sometimes being a grad student is checking in on your friend in the department who hasn't left their office in a while. Sometimes being a grad student is grabbing bubble tea on a sunny afternoon and catching up with friends. Sometimes being a grad student is sharing TA materials with peers and discussing what has or hasn't been working in tutorials lately. And sometimes being a grad students is restarting your paper for the fifth time. Though it is important to stay on top of your studies, you and your peers are all more than just students — you're humans. It can be easy to get lost in the 'to do' lists and busy schedules, but at the end of the day, it is your support system that keeps you grounded. Finding a balance between the theoretical thinking and adult responsibilities helps you find the time to enjoy being a graduate student.

If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?

The work that I do is for my community — past, present, and future. Recently, I've been thinking a lot about those that came before me and what they've done to get me to where I am today. I am especially grateful for my grandmother who passed away in the final term of my MA. She taught me how to work hard for what you want, and also how to skunk people in cribbage — to this day, I'm not sure which lesson is most valuable.

Contact Tianne:tja49@sfu.ca