Amanda Malley

Amanda Malley is a fourth year student at the University of Prince Edward where she is completing her studies for a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Originally from Miramachi, New Brunswick, and a member of the Eel Ground First Nation, Amanda came to PEI in 2006 to peruse her dreams of becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine. It’s a long road to get there, but Amanda is determined to reach her goal.

Amanda has also been an active volunteer at UPEI where she dedicates her skills and time to such events as “Cultural Connections” where aboriginal culture is celebrated on the campus.

Before coming to UPEI, Amanda worked and volunteered in her home community. She worked with children as a daycamp leader and volunteered at the local hospital. She also worked as a tour guide at Beaubear’s Island National Historic Site telling people about the vast history of the island (initially used a trading place for Mi’kmaq and French; then was invaded by the British and used as a shipbuilding site (by both British and Scottish)). While Amanda was in high school, she applied for and received a grant from Women in Sports to purchase my own equipment for Archery. For more information on the awards and to see a photo of Amanda, check out the following website.: http://www.caaws.ca/e/grants/wise/winners/recipients_06.cfm.

In the summer of 2009, Amanda travelled to Maldives where she spent two months immersed in another culture. She describes the experience as incredible and highly recommends that people travel whenever they get the opportunity to do so. Maldives is a small island off the coast of India. Prior to this adventure, Amanda had not left Canada, so she was especially excited to travel around the world and see so many new things. She got to experience snorkeling, banana boat riding, had a spa day at a resort. She also spent a week in Sri Lanka and visited an International zoo in the capital city (Colombo) where she saw many exotic animals.

Amanda currently works at the Mawi’omi Aboriginal Student Resource Centre at UPEI where she works closely with young aboriginal people to encourage them to also choose a post secondary education. Though she has a very busy schedule with work and school, she likes to spend time making crafts such as jewelry, dreamcatchers. She also likes to sew, draw, listen to music (favorite music is metal, rock & alternative).

Amanda says “It’s been a long hard road to get where I am today but I’m glad that when times were tough I had people close to me to help me through it and they didn’t let me give up on myself. Otherwise I’d be at home working instead of graduating with my Bachelor’s degree this coming spring. As the saying goes, a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into my time at university but I know the end result will be worth so much more.”