Shania Gillis-Johnson receives Big Country Agricultural Society Scholarship

By Diana Walker

A 2025 South Central High School graduate, Shania Gillis-Johnson, headed to Calgary this fall to attend the University of Calgary for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Indigenous Studies.

“My course is focused on the history and culture of Indigenous people; however, in the future I wish to expand into either law or psychology,” says Shania. She admits she is leaning more towards a path in law.

Big Country Agricultural Society vice-president and scholarship committee member, Kerry Molzan, presents Shania Gillis-Johnson with a BCAS scholarship. $500 is given in the fall, with the remaining $500 presented upon proof of registration in the second semester. Photo by Diana Walker

She feels that rural communities don’t always have easy access to a variety of services.

“I feel that being an advocate would benefit my community greatly in areas of knowledge, leadership and building a stronger community reliance,” says Shania.

“I have always been happy to help people. It’s because of this desire that I volunteer when and where I can. Oyen is quite small but big on agriculture so I made most, if not all, of my volunteer hours helping with every kind of rodeo event Big Country Agricultural Society hosted,” says Shania.

She and her two sisters applied their kitchen experiences learned at Subway, A&W and Hi-Way Pizza, volunteering in the Crossroads kitchen.

“Volunteering is a way that I can give back to my community for all the times they’ve helped me out,” says Shania. “It makes me happy to help people and make their load a little bit easier. I get to meet all kinds of people and learn a little about them and their lives. This makes conversations easy and fun. I believe that helping your community is one of the best ways to put yourself out there and make connections you otherwise wouldn’t make.”

Shania and her twin, Sinead, and older sister, Taelor, grew up in Oyen with their mother, Charlene Gillis, a nurse at Big Country Hospital.

UPDATE: When asked how her classes were going, Shania responded: So far, I love what I'm taking. Of all the courses I am currently taking, my favourite is my law class. I like it so much that I intend to minor in Law and Society. I really enjoy that while I am here, I can both hang out with my friends as well as focus on my studies. There is just so much to do here.