Born and raised in Île-à-la-Crosse, Ryan Favel is a proud member of the SGEU Indigenous Committee and SGEU’s health sector.

“Growing up, I always identified as Métis,” said Ryan. “But I just recently got my treaty status from English River First Nation.”

Ryan has worked for the health region since 2009. He started out as a detox attendant before receiving training to become a maintenance service worker. He accepted a maintenance position in February 2010 and has worked in the role ever since.

For Ryan, the most rewarding part of his job is helping others and meeting new people every day. He says the variety of his day-to-day work is something he enjoys.

“You’re not always doing the same thing every day. It’s always something different. Either I’m working up in the boiler room, outside doing yard work, fixing something for a client, or fixing something around the hospital.”

Ryan first became involved in SGEU in November 2011 when he was asked to attend his bargaining unit’s proposals conference in Prince Albert.

“From there, it just kept evolving. The next year was our biennial general meeting with the Health Sector, and I was elected to represent the Health Sector on the Indigenous Committee,” he explained.

Ryan has been an active member of the Indigenous Committee ever since, and he is proud of the work they have done to raise the profile of Indigenous issues in the union. He is particularly proud of the work they do to give back to Indigenous communities.

“Every year we get together for National Indigenous Peoples Day, and every year we pick a different community to volunteer with and donate to. It’s nice being in different communities and being able to help out.”

When it comes to the membership, Ryan says their support means a lot to the committee, and he encourages members to keep getting involved.

“I would say just keep supporting us and our ideas,” he said. “There’s always something new to try.”

Ryan added that SGEU leadership is always welcome to attend an Indigenous Committee meeting to see what they do and how they work.

When asked what he would say to those wanting to get more involved, Ryan left members with the following advice:

“I would say get in touch with your local, get involved with your local and become active in your local. Go around and talk to people, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and whatever you learn, share it!”