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‘Hope lives within all of us’: Nancy La Fleur honoured for education expertise

Nov 23, 2018 | 11:00 AM

It was an honouring experience for Nancy La Fleur of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) for being selected as this year’s recipient in the education category at the 2018 Strength of Our Women Awards Gala.

The event was held Nov. 16 in Saskatoon and La Fleur received the award after being nominated alongside Lillian Fineblanket of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Stella Merasty of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Audrey MacDonald of Onion Lake Cree Nation. In an email to larongeNOW, La Fleur wrote the gala is a testament to the strength of communities through the many woman who dedicate their time in striving to make a difference through love, compassion and commitment.

“I have always been a believer a community has the potential to help itself, to become healthy, and to empower those who live in it,” she said. “The women that were present, nominated, and were recipients of these awards proved that hope lives within all of us.”

Although education wasn’t the initial career La Fleur chose, she said it became her way of living. She noted besides learning curriculum, she advocates for those who can’t do so themselves, especially children who live with trauma. La Fleur believes the topic of trauma in children is largely ignored and she’s compelled by the issue due to her own experiences.

La Fleur is also currently a teacher at Sturgeon Lake Central School and she holds a Master’s of Education degree from the University of Regina. She contributed her success in life largely to her family such as her husband, Glenn La Fleur, her two daughters and grandson. La Fleur was nominated by LLRIB Coun. Ann Ratt, Sally Cook-Venne and Kiefer Roberts.

“I was blessed to have been nominated and supported by three great leaders of our communities,” she said. “This award is as much theirs as it is mine. My life is better because they have been a huge part of my growth, and have always supported and encouraged my many endeavours.”

Another LLRIB award reciepent at the gala was Eleanor Hegland, who was honoured as the 2018 environmental protector and knowledge keeper

 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno