Herb Belcourt:
Belcourt gives Metis a new lease on life
Article by Laura Stevens
Who
better to receive the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in
the area of housing than Dr. Herb Belcourt, who has spent the
last 30 years putting roofs over people's heads.
"Well, I think it's just great," said Belcourt. "It's
not everyday that you're recognized by your own peers."
This award recognizes Belcourt's dedication to providing homes
for Metis families through the CaNative Housing Corporation,
which currently has 165 houses in the Edmonton area. Over the
years, CaNative has also provided daycare services and classes
in urban life skills.
When Windspeaker asked Belcourt what he was like as a child,
he said that he has never been a child, nor a teenager, "because
it always about work."
For Belcourt, growing up in the 1930s with nine siblings, there
wasn't much else to do but go to school and come home to work.
"I suppose that I have to give the credit to my dad and
mom for their work ethics. When I left home, my dad gave me quite
the lecture about saving my money for myself."
With a Grade 7 education, that's exactly what Belcourt did. In
1958 he ended up working for himself, and that was the beginning
of ...
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