Thomasena Downes-Mitchell, Manager, Indigenous Student Recruitment, shares her experience at Harvard University.

I had the honour to attend Harvard University from May 4th, 2026, to May 8th, 2026, to attend their Executive Education program called “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities.” Harvard University has a partnership with AFOA which allows Indigenous people from around the world to attend Harvard’s campus to learn from one of the best universities on Turtle Island.  

It was a transformative experience where I was able to collaborate and connect with 88 Indigenous thought leaders from Canada, the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand. Classrooms can be equalizers, what I mean by that is that it didn’t matter what job titles we had, whether we worked in recruitment or if we were running our Nations at home or abroad, everyone was humble, kind, engaged, and ready to learn.  

What kinds of things did you learn that surprised you? 

How down to earth everyone was including Harvard professors and personnel. The professors had a fantastic sense of humor, and one of them was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and grew up in Fort Richmond. I asked him how he ended up going from Winnipeg to Harvard, I asked him if he took a wrong turn, and we had a good chuckle.  

There could have been egos the size of Mount Everest, but it was the complete opposite. I can honestly say that it felt more like a warm embrace. In a time when lateral violence and intergenerational trauma dominate the news, politics and sometimes our workspaces, attending Harvard University was the antithesis of that; it was intergenerational excellence. An Indigenous gentleman wore a shirt that said, “I am my Ancestors wildest dream” and I second that, as we all are – regardless of color.  

I learned that it costs 6 billion dollars to run Harvard University each year. 2.5 billion comes from their endowment, which is a little bit less than what tuition contributes. I learned that the person who manages Harvard’s endowment earns 10x’s more than Harvard’s President on a bad day. Staggering amounts of money. Also, graduating with a university degree from Harvard increases your chances by 50% to be hired by the top 1% employers in the USA.  

I witnessed Maori people greeting our Professor David Ager by pressing their noses and foreheads together. It’s called the hongi. It symbolizes the sharing of the ha (breath of life) and unity between two people, effectively connecting the manuhiri (visitor) with the tangata whenua (people of the land). 

What is your key takeaway? 

Believe in yourself. Despite any self-doubt, or nay-sayers, or even sometimes when life gets us down. Even with that in front of us, we need to progress and move forward. Be the champion of your own success. We only get one chance in life, so it’s important to make the best of it. Never in a million years did I think I would attend Harvard University but through the work of our Indigenous relatives, these opportunities are available to us. Seize the opportunity and walk with your head high even in prestigious Ivy League rooms as we all have a voice and something to share.  

Anything. Is. Possible.  

Our. Voices. Matter.  

You. Matter.