My name is Aaron Bouchard, and I am a proud Two-Spirit member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, located in Treaty 1 Territory. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Manitoba.

My passion for social work is deeply rooted in my lived experiences. I was apprehended from my family at birth, placed in the child welfare system, and later adopted into a non-Indigenous family. This separation severed my connections to my family, community, Nation, culture, and language. Growing up without these connections has given me a personal understanding of how deeply family separation can affect not only a child's identity and sense of belonging, but also the families who experience that separation.

My healing journey has been an important part of understanding my identity, reconnecting with my roots, and finding a sense of belonging. Having experienced the child welfare system firsthand, I believe my lived experiences will help me relate to the children, youth, and families I hope to walk alongside as a future social worker. I am passionate about advocating for children's rights, challenging colonial policies and systemic barriers that continue to harm Indigenous families, and ensuring that Indigenous children can grow up knowing who they are, where they come from, and where they belong.

I am truly honored and grateful to receive the 2026 Jordan's Principle Scholarship. I hope to honor Jordan River Anderson's legacy through my education and future social work practice by advocating for the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of First Nations children and families.