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Work Experience:
Prior to 1988, when I began my Music Therapy course, I worked in many other positions. In my earlier years, as a secretary, for places such as the Veterinary Laboratory in Edmonton (my first job), Legal Services Commission in Vancouver, Simon Fraser University, an architectural firm etc. These were varied and interesting jobs, with new things to learn at each place. Later, I worked in other capacities, such as being an Instructor at Native Education Centre, in the production of a monthly newsletter, which I enjoyed very much. Following that, I began my Music Therapy training. After my training, I worked for various Senior Centers as a music therapist on a contract basis. I also returned each term to teach Music & Movement in the Early Childhood Classes at the Native Education Centre, until I became more and more involved with my work with Our Elders Speak Wisdom Society, and later as Coordinator of the Elders program at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Center. Also, I was going out into the community on a regular basis to schools, teaching the (w)holistic teachings of the Medicine Wheel.
1991 - 1993The Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden, Vancouver - I became interested in worm composting and was part of the first teams to give composting demonstration workshops to children from schools (and in schools) in the greater Vancouver School District. I based mine on the Circle of Life, using posters, music and stories and the (w)holistic teachings of the Medicine Wheel. As we were working with the element of earth (the living soil), the children learned of the interdependence /interconnection found between the elements.
About this time, I began attending meditation classes, and Talking/Healing circles, which were to take me on the path of spiritual awareness.
I continued to work in the community on a regular basis, working weekly with the Richmond First Nations Resource teachers, where we incorporated the teachings of the Medicine Wheel, into the classes. We were asked to present to many classes, to non-native as well as native students.
I have given numerous workshops and cultural presentations, to schools in the Coquitlam, Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond and New Westminster classes over the years, and continue to do so.
1991 - I became involved with Our Elders Speak Wisdom Society, an organization that stressed the importance of passing on the traditions and teachings of our Elders. I believed in the importance of the wisdom of the old ways, to remember how our forefathers lived in harmony and had respect for other life forms they shared the earth with. I became the Coordinator for Our Elders Speak Wisdom Council, in 1993 and continued with this work until 1999.
My duties there were many and varied. We had a weekly luncheon (which we prepared - later taken over by the Youth Chef Training program, much to our delight) and a Food Bank service.
I organized social activities/gatherings, made travel arrangements for out-of-town gatherings for our Elders group, supervised youth groups. As we were not funded until 1997, much of this work was done on a volunteer basis, by myself and other committed volunteers.
I coordinated all aspects of the Elders & Youth Conference, which was an integral part of the Vancouver Aboriginal Cultural Festival. The Festival began in 1994 and I was involved in it until 1998.
I supervised three annual sessions of Environmental Youth Teams, which focused on planting and learning the medicinal qualities of indigenous plants and herbs. The E Team built a Medicine Wheel at the Van Dusen Gardens in '97.
Signage is now completed, and a Summer Solstice ceremony is planned at the Medicine Wheel site for the grand opening of the Canadian Heritage gardens in June 2000. It will be dedicated to the indigenous peoples of the world, and commemorate a time when our indigenous ancestors lived according to the laws of nature, and in harmony with the earth.
Other groups I am associated with include:
FOR ALL MY RELATIONS