Mary Jane McCallum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Jane McCallum
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![]() Mary Jane McCallum in 2023
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8th Chancellor of Brandon University | |
Assumed office July 1, 2021 |
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President | David Docherty |
Senator from Manitoba | |
Assumed office December 4, 2017 |
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Nominated by | Justin Trudeau |
Appointed by | Julie Payette |
Preceded by | Janis Johnson |
Personal details | |
Born | Barren Lands First Nation, Brochet, Manitoba |
May 1, 1952
Political party | Conservative (2025-present) |
Other political affiliations |
Non-affiliated (2022-2025) Independent Senators Group (2018-2022) |
Alma mater | University of Manitoba |
Occupation | Dentist, Senator |
Profession | Dentist |
Known for | First Indigenous woman Chancellor of Brandon University, First female Indigenous dentist in Canada |
Mary Jane McCallum was born on May 1, 1952. She is a Canadian Senator who represents the province of Manitoba. She was chosen for this important role in 2017. Senator McCallum is also the 8th Chancellor of Brandon University, a position she started in 2021. This made her the first Indigenous woman to hold this leadership role at the university.
Mary Jane McCallum is a Cree woman and a dentist. She has spent much of her career helping people in northern and Indigenous communities. She provided dental and medical services across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As someone who experienced the Canadian residential school system, she works hard to promote fairness for everyone. She also champions Indigenous rights and helps people understand the lasting effects of past policies. She shares her own story to help others learn and grow.
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Early Life and Education Journey
Mary Jane McCallum was born on May 1, 1952. She is a member of the Barren Lands First Nation in Brochet, Manitoba. She proudly identifies as a Cree woman.
When she was five years old, McCallum attended the Guy Hill Residential School in The Pas, Manitoba. She stayed there for 11 years. She has shared that this time was very difficult. Before residential school, she felt strong and connected to her community. She learned about the land from her family's trapline and fish camp. This taught her about connection, relationships, and purpose. She explains that the experiences at residential school changed her. She believes that old ideas from colonial times made Indigenous people feel less important.
McCallum says she is still working to heal from her residential school experiences. She highlights that the policies from the past continue to affect her, her children, and her grandchildren. She believes these experiences caused deep pain and disconnection.
After these early experiences, McCallum decided to become a dentist. She earned a Dental Nursing Diploma in 1977 from the Wascana Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Regina, Saskatchewan. She then received a dental therapy diploma in 1979 from the School of Dental Therapy. She completed her studies with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Manitoba in 1990.
Dental and Health Career
Mary Jane McCallum became Canada's first female Indigenous dentist in 1990. For about 12 years, she practiced dentistry in a traditional way. She focused mainly on fixing dental problems. However, she soon realized this approach wasn't fully helping First Nations communities. She understood that deeper issues like racism and past traumas were affecting people's health. This led her to change her approach. She decided to see each person as a whole human being. She wanted to understand what they truly needed from her care. This new way of working, inspired by traditional teachings, made her practice more caring and focused on the patient.
McCallum dedicated much of her career to providing dental and medical services. She worked in northern and Indigenous communities across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. From 1979 to 1997, she served as a dental therapist in remote areas. She also taught as an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba. There, she managed a dental clinic in Churchill and guided students. Between 1996 and 2000, she worked as the Regional Dental Officer for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. She worked in Brochet from 1992 to 1996 and again from 2003 to 2010. In Brochet, she managed community health programs. These included dental health for children, diabetes care, and prenatal care. She also volunteered on local committees for housing, schools, and education. She organized meetings with Elders to discuss community issues. She also worked as an independent contractor for the federal First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. In April 2002, she returned to the University of Manitoba to lead Aboriginal Dental Health Programs. She stopped practicing dentistry in April 2021 but remains a non-practicing member of the Manitoba Dental Association.
As her work developed, McCallum became a community organizer and a champion for social justice. She believes that dental programs alone are not enough if basic needs like safety, warmth, and food are missing. She advocates for better health for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. She focuses on improving housing, jobs, and education. She believes that health will improve by changing systems like healthcare and bringing back traditional teachings. She emphasizes that Indigenous communities have their own solutions and should be supported to use them.
Key Appointments and Roles Timeline
Year | Role/Position | Organization/Institution | Key Detail/Significance |
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1977 | Dental Nursing Diploma | Wascana Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences | |
1979 | Dental Therapy Diploma | School of Dental Therapy | |
1979–1997 | Dental Therapist | Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba communities | |
1990 | Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) | University of Manitoba | Canada's first female Indigenous dentist |
1992–1996 | Community Health Programs Manager | Barren Lands First Nation, Brochet | (First term) |
1996–2000 | Regional Dental Officer | Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs | |
April 2002 | Lead, Aboriginal Dental Health Programs | University of Manitoba | |
2003–2010 | Community Health Programs Manager | Barren Lands First Nation, Brochet | (Second term) |
December 4, 2017 | Senator from Manitoba | Senate of Canada | Appointed by PM Justin Trudeau |
April 2021 | Retired from active dentistry | Remains non-practicing member of Manitoba Dental Association | |
May 6, 2021 | 8th Chancellor | Brandon University | First Indigenous woman and first female Chancellor |
January 30, 2024 | Renewed for second term as Chancellor | Brandon University |
Senate Career and Advocacy
Mary Jane McCallum was chosen to be a Senator for Canada by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on December 4, 2017. She first joined the Independent Senators Group from 2018 to 2022. Later, she sat as a non-affiliated Senator, and then as a Conservative. During her time in the Senate, she has been part of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples.
Senator McCallum uses her position in the Senate to speak up for Indigenous peoples. She shares her own experiences and works to fix unfair systems.
- On September 26, 2024, she honored the late Grand Chief Cathy Merrick.
- On June 6, 2024, she spoke about Senator Victor Oh. She compared the challenges faced by Chinese Canadians to those of First Nations.
- On October 31, 2023, she paid tribute to members from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in the Philippines.
- On October 3, 2023, she shared part of a speech about her early childhood before residential school.
- On September 26, 2023, she spoke about the strength and realness of "grassroots people."
- On June 20, 2023, she talked about the search for unmarked graves at Guy Hill Residential School. She also spoke about how residential school children formed strong bonds.
- On December 14, 2022, she worked with the Indigenous Women's Collective to address "Indigenous Identity Fraud."
McCallum has spoken about experiencing racism in the Senate. She uses her platform to challenge people who deny the harms of residential schools. She wants people to understand unfairness and privilege better. She works to remove racism, discrimination, and abuse from systems that still affect Indigenous people today. She says she carries "all those voices with me when I go into the Senate Chamber." Her goal is to "bring voice to First Nations concerns."
Chancellor of Brandon University
On May 6, 2021, Mary Jane McCallum was named the 8th Chancellor of Brandon University. She made history as both the first Indigenous woman and the first female Chancellor at the university. Her first term began on July 1, 2021. The Brandon University Senate chose her for a second term on January 30, 2024. Dr. David Docherty, the President of Brandon University, praised her "thoughtful guidance" and "inspirational leadership."
As Chancellor, Mary Jane McCallum is the formal head of Brandon University. She provides vision and guidance to the University President. She is a member of the university's Board of Governors and the Senate. She helps with fundraising and builds relationships with donors. A key part of her role is leading graduation ceremonies. There, she greets students, offers advice, and officially grants degrees. McCallum also acts as an ambassador for Brandon University. She supports its mission and values. She sometimes represents the university at events and often hosts or attends special gatherings. She has shared her excitement to continue her "wonderful journey" with the university's students and teachers.
Public Engagement and Advocacy
Mary Jane McCallum is dedicated to teaching people about the effects of the residential school system. She leads workshops and presentations where she shares her personal story as a survivor. Her goal is to raise awareness and help people understand the difficulties caused by these institutions. Her personal thoughts have also been published in a book chapter.
McCallum champions social justice, Indigenous rights, and changing old systems. Her work as a dentist grew into a wider commitment to helping communities. This was driven by her understanding of how unfair systems affect the health of Indigenous communities. She stresses the need to address basic needs like housing and education. She also believes in changing existing systems, like healthcare, to help Indigenous peoples heal and thrive. A main idea in her philosophy is that Indigenous communities have their own solutions. They should be supported to put these solutions into action. Her public statements, including those in the Senate, often address racism, discrimination, and the ongoing effects of past policies.
Personal Life
Mary Jane McCallum is married. She has two daughters and one son.