Catherine Graydon – Environment and Natural Resources Diploma – Class of 2015

Catherine Graydon has always felt a deep connection to the land.

Born and raised in Yellowknife, Catherine is Inuvialuit through her mother’s roots in Inuvik. Though she didn’t grow up with extensive on-the-land knowledge, she was always drawn to nature—especially during one unforgettable summer at Plummer’s Lodge on Great Bear Lake.

“I was inspired by the guides—how much they knew and how they carried themselves. I wanted to learn what they knew.”

That desire led Catherine to enrol in Aurora College’s Environment and Natural Resources Technology Diploma Program(ENRTP), which she says was a positive turning point in her life. Through small class sizes, supportive instructors, and immersive fieldwork, Catherine learned about water quality monitoring, ecology, mapping, and more.

“One highlight was summer field camp at Tsu Lake—canoe trips, fish dissection, caribou harvesting, and survival training. We laughed, learned, and created lasting connections.”

Since graduating in 2015, Catherine’s career has taken her to many places in the North. From student positions at Diavik and Ekati to becoming Lead Coordinator for Water Monitoring and Stewardship at the GNWT’s Department of Environment and Climate Change, she now supports environmental programs and collaborates with Indigenous governments across the NWT.

ENRTP didn’t just open doors, she says —it changed her life, both personally and professionally. “Before, I was juggling three jobs. ENRTP gave me the skills and confidence to build a stable career that supports my family. I can’t imagine going back.”

Anyone considering the program should just take the leap, she adds.

“The environmental field needs more Indigenous and Northern voices—people with a real connection to the land. This program helps you grow into that role.”

Learn more about the Environment and Natural Resources Technology Program and apply online today.

Application deadline: June 30.