SIIT graduate quietly leads as a role model
- NC Raine | July 22, 2018
Decked out in graduation garb and striding assuredly across the stage to receive the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) President’s Award for Leadership, few would guess that Hunter McLean wants little to do with the spotlight or the hundreds of eyes focused keenly on him.
“It looked like I was having a good time, but internally, I was trying not to throw up. Or cry. Or pass out. I'm not used to that kind of parading on display for people,” said McLean of his honouring at this year’s SIIT spring convocation.
McLean is unquestionably a leader. A salt-of-the-earth kind of guy who’s compelled to support those around him. But what makes McLean a special kind of his leader is his desire to better his community without any sort of applause or recognition.
“I never think of myself as a leader,” he said. “You should do things for a reason and hope some good comes out of it. I think (the leadership award) affirms that I'm on the right path in making sure support is there for other people that allows them to flourish.”
McLean, 28, from James Smith Cree Nation, leaves his academic career at SIIT with a diploma in business administration (graduating with distinction), but his impact on the college will long be felt by students after him. In his first year, McLean volunteered much of his free time supporting his peers through any personal or academic problems they had, as well as volunteering to get his hands dirty with any SIIT functions and events. In his second year, though, McLean began to make his mark.
A group project with McLean snowballed into the creation of a Pride awareness day, which then led to writing a proposal for a safe space, where students of all backgrounds and orientations could talk and connect, judgement free, with their peers.
“I always felt like I wanted people to feel included because I never really felt included while I was growing up,” said McLean, who came out as gay in high school. “I see people struggling and I want to do what I can to make it easier for them.”
Eventually, through participating in conversation circles and listening to the stories of everyone around him, McLean and fellow SIIT student Violet Swan were able to establish a permanent Pride Centre, the first of its kind at the SIIT campus.
“The more education and knowledge we have, the better our future will be for students. The Pride Centre helps to foster that inclusivity,” said McLean. “It goes back to reconciliation and the whole process of re-learning our history and sharing our stories.”
McLean’s participation in nearly every student-led initiative on campus caught the eye of staff and faculty. Susanne Berg, Director of Marketing and Communications at SIIT, and Laura Negraeff, business instructor, nominated him for the leadership award, which recognizes one student for their commitment to education, enhancing the student experience, and demonstrating SIIT values. McLean was a clear choice.
“The thing that impressed me most is his ability to take a leadership role in ways beyond picking up a microphone or being a really vocal person at the front,” said Berg. “He takes a leadership role in the quieter places.”
This modest approach to leadership comes naturally to McLean, who bristles then nervously laughs when asked about his accomplishments or qualities of character. Rather, he defers to what he can do for others.
“I think it's important to be able to take a step back from your own life and help out other people,” he said.
McLean plans to attend the University of Saskatchewan this fall to continue his education in business, with hopes of eventually opening his own retail store. But whatever McLean does going forward, it will likely be motivated by leading his community in ways that will make it a healthier, more inclusive place to live. Call him a leader, whether he likes it or not.