Doreen Spence facts for kids

Elder Doreen Spence is a Canadian leader who works hard for the rights of Indigenous peoples. She was born in 1937. She has started many groups in Alberta to help Indigenous communities. She also shares her wisdom with international organizations about Indigenous rights.

Who is Doreen Spence?

Doreen Spence is an important activist who has dedicated her life to helping Indigenous people. She has worked as a nurse and used her voice to make a difference around the world.

Early Life and Nursing Career

Doreen Spence grew up in the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Her grandparents raised her. When she was 18, she moved to Calgary to go to college. In 1959, she became one of the first Indigenous women to earn a Practical Nursing Certificate. This led to a nursing career that lasted over 40 years!

Working for Indigenous Rights

Doreen Spence has been very active in fighting for Indigenous rights. She worked both in Canada and around the world. In Calgary, she started the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative. This group helps the city understand and support Indigenous issues.

She was also the president of the Plains Indian Cultural Survival School in Calgary. This was the first school in a Canadian city run by and for Indigenous people. She led the school until 1993. Doreen also served on many local and regional boards in Alberta. For example, she worked with the Alberta Civil Liberties Association and the Committee Against Racism.

Doreen also founded and led the Canadian Indigenous Women's Resource Institute (CIWRI). This group teaches non-Indigenous people about Indigenous issues. It also helps Indigenous people learn about their traditional knowledge.

Helping at the United Nations

Since 1994, Doreen Spence has been Canada's representative for the United Nations' Working Group on Indigenous Populations. She helped write the first draft of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This important document was officially accepted in 2007. It helps protect the rights of Indigenous people worldwide. In 2002, she even advised the government of Slovakia on how to work with Romani people in Slovakia.

Inspiring Others

Doreen Spence often speaks at big international meetings. People love her speeches because she includes songs and traditional wisdom. She also encourages everyone in the audience to join in and participate.

Awards and Recognition

Doreen Spence has received many special awards for her important work. These include:

• Chief David Crowchild Award in 1992
• Alberta Human Rights Award in 1993
• Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 as part of the PeaceWomen Across the Globe project
• Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005
• Indspire Awards in 2017
• Officer of the Order of Canada in 2020