More Than a Job: A Journey of Learning, Growth, and Purpose By Jamilyn Fenn

When I began working with the Qutekcak Native Tribe in 2021, I knew very little compared to what I know today.

I came in with some experience, a willingness to work, and a willingness to learn. I did not walk through the doors as an expert. There were systems I did not understand, processes I had never worked through, and plenty of moments when I had to stop, ask questions, research, and figure things out.

Over time, I learned by doing.

I learned through the work.

I learned through mistakes.

I learned through challenges.

I learned through the people around me.

And most importantly, I learned that meaningful community work is never about one person.

It is about we.

Growing Through Leadership

There is no way for me to talk about my growth since 2021 without recognizing the leadership of our Tribal Administrator, Dolly.

Without her leadership, I would not be the professional I am today.

She gave me room to learn, trusted me with responsibility, challenged me to grow, and allowed me to work through things instead of simply giving me every answer.

That kind of leadership matters.

Some people manage employees.

Others help develop them.

Dolly helped give me the opportunity to become more confident, more knowledgeable, and more capable in the work I do today.

I will always be grateful for that.

The Community Gives the Work Meaning

Over the years, one of the biggest things I have learned is that behind every project, program, grant, event, or service are real people.

An elder.

A family.

A child.

A community member.

Someone who needs support.

Someone who needs an opportunity.

Someone who simply needs to know that their community is there for them.

That understanding changes the way you look at the work.

It becomes less about completing a task and more about understanding why the task matters.

That is something Qutekcak has taught me.

We Accomplish Things Together

One of the things I am most proud of is what our team is able to accomplish together.

In a small Tribal organization, everyone wears multiple hats.

Someone identifies the need.

Someone comes up with an idea.

Someone finds the resource.

Someone handles the paperwork.

Someone talks to the community.

Someone organizes the event.

Someone solves the unexpected problem.

And usually, several of us are doing a little bit of everything.

That is what makes the work possible.

No one person creates the success.

There is always a we behind it.

We learn together.

We solve problems together.

We adjust together.

We celebrate the wins together.

And when something does not work, we figure out what to do next together.

Learning to Listen

Another lesson Qutekcak has taught me is the importance of listening.

Not every answer comes from a regulation, a funding announcement, or an outside expert.

Sometimes the most important answer comes from an elder.

Sometimes it comes from another staff member.

Sometimes it comes from a family.

Sometimes it comes from someone who has lived in this community long enough to understand something that cannot be learned from a report.

History matters.

Relationships matter.

Trust matters.

Community knowledge matters.

The best solutions come when we are willing to listen to the people closest to the need.

Looking Back at 2021

When I think about where I started and where I am today, there is a big difference.

I know much more.

I understand much more.

I approach problems differently.

I ask better questions.

And I have grown tremendously through the responsibilities and experiences I have been given.

But I did not learn any of that alone.

I learned because Dolly gave me opportunities to grow.

I learned because coworkers shared their knowledge.

I learned because community members shared their experiences.

I learned through both our successes and our difficult days.

And I learned because Qutekcak gave me the opportunity to keep learning.

More Than a Job

When I started at Qutekcak in 2021, I thought I was beginning a job.

Instead, it became a journey of learning what community work really means.

It taught me about teamwork.

Leadership.

Listening.

Responsibility.

Persistence.

And the importance of always remembering the people behind the work.

When I look back, I am grateful for how much I have learned and proud of how much we have accomplished together.

I came here knowing very little compared to what I know today.

And I know there is still more to learn.

There always will be.

That may be one of the greatest lessons Qutekcak has given me.

We do not have to know everything.

We just have to remain willing to learn from one another, use the strengths we each bring, and keep working together for the community we serve.

That is what has made this journey meaningful.

And that is why, for me, it has always been more than a job.