{"id":92417,"date":"2024-04-25T15:03:50","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T19:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=92417"},"modified":"2024-04-25T17:04:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T21:04:05","slug":"brock-grad-tackles-canadas-ultimate-challenge-to-inspire-indigenous-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2024\/04\/brock-grad-tackles-canadas-ultimate-challenge-to-inspire-indigenous-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock grad tackles Canada\u2019s Ultimate Challenge to inspire Indigenous youth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtney Copoc-Hopkins (BRLS \u201914, BEd \u201918) wants everyone to dream big. As a competitor in the upcoming season of CBC\u2019s Canada\u2019s Ultimate Challenge<\/em>, the proud Brock graduate is leading by example.<\/p>\n

While Canadians will have to tune in to see how Copoc-Hopkins and her teammates fare in the reality TV competition, which turns Canada into a giant obstacle course, sharing her personal journey on a national platform is a win all on its own.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy story of how I learned to embrace my Lenape heritage and reclaimed my Indigenous identity started with my experience at Brock. I am a first-generation university graduate, and I take a lot of pride in that,\u201d Copoc-Hopkins said.<\/p>\n

Experiencing intergenerational trauma growing up and facing many struggles, Copoc-Hopkins often felt confused and hid her Indigenous roots.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Brock University graduate Courtney Copoc-Hopkins (BRLS \u201914, BEd \u201918), centre, is making her debut on national television this weekend as a competitor on Team Red on Canada\u2019s Ultimate Challenge on CBC.<\/p><\/div>\n

Her first year as a Brock student in Recreation and Leisure Studies (RECL) was a transformational time in her life as Copoc-Hopkins reconnected with her Indigenous father while simultaneously embarking on her academic journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe support I received at Brock helped me see what I was capable of and made me wonder what more I can do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

When she considered her future and desire to make a difference in the world, Copoc-Hopkins asked herself what the most impactful thing in her life had been.<\/p>\n

The answer was education.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were gaps in my education about the truths of my history as an Indigenous woman. I wanted to be the person I had needed when I was younger, someone to help guide Indigenous youth navigating the world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Copoc-Hopkins returned to Brock to complete an Aboriginal Adult Education degree, one of the Faculty of Education\u2019s Indigenous Educational Studies programs. She now works in Vancouver as Post-secondary Education Counsellor with the Squamish Nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have done the hard work of learning and healing, and I take a lot of pride in using my voice to be an intergenerational trauma cycle breaker. If I can help Indigenous people through the many facets of their educational experience, that\u2019s the real win for me,\u201d Copoc-Hopkins said.<\/p>\n

A thrill-seeker at heart, Copoc-Hopkins is excited to share her experience on Canada\u2019s Ultimate Challenge<\/em> \u2014 which brought out the fierce competitor in her and reignited her love for team environments \u2014\u00a0with viewers across the county.<\/p>\n

\u201cA fearlessness that was in me all along, that has driven my desire to step up to challenges, was fostered at Brock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teams will compete in intense physical challenges travelling to Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia in pursuit of the grand prize \u2014 a team trip to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 to cheer on Team Canada this summer.<\/p>\n

Canada’s Ultimate Challenge<\/em> premieres Sunday, April 28 on CBC TV at 8 p.m. local time and is available to stream for free as of 9 a.m. ET that morning on CBC Gem.<\/p>\n

View the trailer for season two on the CBC website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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