Pride in Metis heritage motivates leader

Page 12

Growing up surrounded a close-knit, extended family who took pride in their Metis heritage laid the foundations for a lifelong commitment to sharing that culture for the 1993 Metis Woman of the Year.

Gayle McKenzie won that award through her hard work and perseverance in fomenting Native culture in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. Her involvement in organizations for Metis women and children, as well as her caring, steadfast character, has earned her the respect of peers and clients alike.

"She's a very fair and honest woman," said Melanie Omeniho, president of women of the Metis Nation. "She's not a politician, not out for personal gain. Gayle does this for the love of her community."

McKenzie grew up the eldest of eight children of a Metis mother and father. Only on leaving Marlborough, approximately 50 kilometres west of Edmonton, to attend high school in a larger town did she realize how close she was to her heritage.

"In high school I came up against a lot of prejudice. It was a struggle to even go to school. So, I thought if I can help my children and other Native children to stay in school, it would be a worthwhile project for me," said McKenzie.

She married her husband, Ray, also a Metis activist, right out of high school. In time, they moved to Whitecourt where McKenzie experienced more prejudice against Metis and Native people.

"Well, it was a fairly new town," McKenzie said diplomatically.

While there was a Native women's group, many Metis women felt left out, she said. Never one to stand when people need help, McKenzie helped organize The White Eagle Native Women's Association."

"A lot of Metis women didn't know their heritage and many were ashamed of their Native blood," she said. "As a Metis woman, I am concerned about other women that won't speak for themselves," said McKenzie.

Since then McKenzie has been involved with the Alberta Advisory Council on Women's Issues, the Metis Association's Blue Ridge Local and Sagitawah Employment Services, as well as being one of the founding members of the Women of the Metis Nation. She now works with Advanced Education and Career Development as an employment, family and housing counsellor.

McKenzie believes the road to acceptance of other people's culture lies in knowledge. She extends her work to all Aboriginal people and non-Native groups as well.

"I believe in sharing our culture that's one way of fostering understanding and alleviating prejudice."