Bernadette Smith facts for kids

Bernadette Smith is a Canadian First Nations politician. She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 2017. This assembly is where laws are made for the province of Manitoba.

She represents the area called Point Douglas in Winnipeg. Bernadette Smith is a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party. In 2023, she was recognized by the BBC as one of the 100 inspiring women around the world.

About Bernadette Smith

Bernadette Smith grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She finished high school when she was 22 years old. After that, she studied to become a Child and Youth Care worker. This means she learned how to help young people.

She is from the Anishinaabe and Métis peoples. Bernadette has three children named Aron, Matthew, and Makena. In 2016, she received the Order of Manitoba. This is a special award given to people who have done great things for Manitoba.

Her Work Before Politics

Before becoming a politician, Bernadette Smith was a teacher. She taught at Maples Collegiate high school. She also helped lead a program called WayFinders. This program was part of the Seven Oaks School Division.

Bernadette also helped start two important groups. One group helps families whose loved ones are missing. The other group is called the Drag the Red Initiative. These groups work to support families and search for missing people.

Becoming a Politician

In 2017, Bernadette Smith decided to run for a political job. She wanted to represent the Point Douglas area. She was the only person to seek the nomination for the New Democratic Party. This meant she became their candidate.

She won the election with 44% of the votes. This made her a member of the Legislative Assembly. She was re-elected in the provincial elections in 2019 and again in 2023.

As a politician, Bernadette Smith works on important issues. She has supported local businesses and community centers. For example, she has spoken about helping the Neechi Commons grocery store. This store also serves as an arts center.

In October 2023, Bernadette Smith became a minister. She is now the Minister of Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness. This means she helps people find safe homes. She also works to support people dealing with addictions.