#SAITFaces: Tapaarjuk Moore

Tapaarjuk Moore smiling while standing in Chinook Lodge
“When I was a student, I had the support of my friends throughout the process of getting into post-secondary. I wanted to be that person for someone else, someone who wasn't sure how to make furthering their education happen for themselves.”

Tapaarjuk Moore (she/her), known as Tap on campus, has worked in SAIT’s Chinook Lodge Resource Centre supporting Indigenous student success since 2015.

Through countless favourite moments at SAIT, she’s worked to make a positive impact in people’s lives. From advising future students about their program options to watching those same students cross the stage at convocation and start their careers, all the opportunities to connect with learners in the Lodge have been meaningful to Tap.

“I love the fall start, because we get new students and it’s always great to see excited people eager for their education.”

It's also a great time for Tap and her team at the Lodge to remind students of all the supports available at SAIT.

"Big goals mean a lot of hard work and determination — we're here to support students in reaching those goals.”

For two decades, the Lodge has provided Indigenous students with emotional, financial and spiritual support, along with cultural, language and career opportunities, to name just a few programs.

“It can be really challenging to navigate post-secondary. Chinook Lodge is here to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis students — we have so many supports and resources to help Indigenous students while they study at SAIT, because our goal is student success.”

a view of the moutains and stream in between

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.