Dawn brings a desire to stay connected to her Métis culture to her role as a Xyólheméylh Elder. “What I’ve learned along my life’s journey so far is to appreciate my Métis culture, keeping it close to my heart so I am able to pass on things I’ve learned from my Elders and continue to learn. My desire, my aspiration, is to understand and stay connected to my culture. I’d like to contribute with what I’ve learned, to keep learning and give back,” says Dawn.
Dawn was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba. Her Métis descendants are Ojibwe which is part of the larger Anishinaabe First Nation. She has one daughter and four grandchildren who live in Newfoundland. She is thankful for Facetime to stay connected until she can visit them.
Through marriage she lost the connection of her Indigenous culture. “When I was younger my mixed heritage always made me feel I didn’t fit in anywhere until I learned to embrace the diversity of my different heritages. I felt blessed and thankful for them all,” says Dawn. “I believe there are many people, young and old, that are in the same situation of feeling they don’t fit in. It is everyone’s responsibility to cultivate a strong and healthy sense of belonging.”
Dawn managed the family’s business of commercial printing for many years, a very high stress business with meeting deadlines frequently. Then she made a huge career change going into health and fitness for women until retiring in 2013.
She reached out to her Métis culture when she moved to BC. She embraced it with pride and was accepted with open arms and was President of the Fraser Valley Métis Association for over five years.
She enjoys being an Elder at Xyólheméylh “So many people need help. Xyólheméylh is a big part of the healing,” says Dawn. “It’s nice to see the successes that Xyólheméylh has helped bring about. I am forever grateful to listen, learn and share as I walk this path.”