Langara alum Olivia Craggs shares how her educational journey led to a career in Indigenous policy and advocacy. Discover how Langara supported her path.
“I feel a deep responsibility to give back,” says Olivia Craggs, a two-time graduate of Langara College who completed an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Psychology in 2014 and an Associate of Science in Biochemistry in 2023.
As an Indigenous student navigating personal loss and uncertainty about her future, Olivia found support and direction at Langara College. Today, she works with the First Nations Information Governance Centre, tackling Indigenous policy, data governance, and sovereignty issues across Canada. Her role allows her to address the very gaps that she encountered during her own educational journey.
We spoke with Olivia about how her time at Langara College helped shape her path, and how her current work gives back to her community.
An educational journey marked by resilience.
A member of the One Arrow First Nation in Saskatchewan, Olivia began her studies at Langara right out of high school, but her path was far from traditional. When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Olivia became her primary caregiver and stepped away from her classes. Then, two years after her mother’s passing, she found herself in a similar situation when her grandfather, whom she describes as a father figure, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Navigating the Canadian healthcare system during these deeply personal moments gave Olivia insights into the systemic challenges many face. “That experience opened my eyes to the healthcare system in ways I never expected,” she says.
I saw firsthand how different the experiences were for a young cancer patient versus an elderly one. It made me want to make a difference.
Finding belonging at Langara College.
A pivotal source of support during Olivia’s time at Langara was the Gathering Space, the College’s Indigenous student resource centre. The Gathering Space provided a sense of community and connection that helped her navigate personal and academic challenges. The community she found at Langara helped her gain confidence and clarity.
Indigenous students face unique challenges. Many of us are responsible for family members, or we struggle financially, or face hunger. Langara understood that. Later, when I transferred to another university, I realized how rare that kind of support was.
Determined to give back.
Olivia’s personal journey led her to reimagine what a career in science could look like. A pivotal internship with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer introduced her to policy work, ultimately leading her to transition her career out of biochemistry and into Indigenous data governance and public policy. "I realized I didn’t have to work in a lab to make a difference. Policy work could be just as impactful," she says.
In addition to completing another degree at the University of Guelph, Olivia landed a position at FNIGC ,where she now works across 23 different sectors to improve outcomes for Indigenous communities. Her work focuses on identifying service gaps and advocating for solutions that reflect lived realities, a mission closely tied to her own experiences in education and healthcare.
Looking ahead: Advancing Indigenous health policy.
With her sights set on further education in Public Health, Olivia is exploring programs at Brown University and the University of Southern California. While she remains passionate about policy, her long-term goal is to bridge the service gaps that continue to impact Indigenous communities across Canada.
Olivia’s story serves as an inspiration for students facing uncertainty, proving that the right support, combined with resilience and passion, can lead to a meaningful and impactful career.
“If I can use my experience to make things better for future generations, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose."
Inspired by Olivia’s journey?
Discover how Langara College supports Indigenous learners and empowers students to build meaningful careers in health, science, and public policy. Learn more about our Indigenous Education and Services, or explore all our programs to find your path forward.
