Pearl Calahasen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Pearl Calahasen
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Lesser Slave Lake
In office 20 March 1989 – 5 May 2015
Preceded by	Larry Shaben
Succeeded by	Danielle Larivee
Alberta Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
In office 15 March 2001 – 15 December 2006
Preceded by	Ministry Established
Succeeded by	Guy Boutilier
Alberta Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
In office 26 May 1999 – 15 March 2001
Succeeded by	Ministry Abolished
Alberta Minister without Portfolio in charge of Children's Services
In office 31 May 1996 – 26 May 1999
Succeeded by	Iris Evans
Personal details
Born	(1952-12-05) 5 December 1952 (age 72) Grouard, Alberta
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Alma mater	University of Alberta University of Oregon

Pearl Calahasen (born December 5, 1952) is a Canadian politician. She represented the area of Lesser Slave Lake in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1989 to 2015. She was a member of the Progressive Conservative party.

Pearl Calahasen also served as a cabinet minister. She held important roles like Minister in charge of Children's Services and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. She made history as the first Métis woman elected to public office in Alberta. After the 2012 election, she was the longest-serving Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Alberta.

Her Early Life and Education

Pearl Calahasen was born in 1952 and grew up in Grouard, Alberta. She went to the University of Alberta and earned a degree in education. Later, she studied at the University of Oregon and received a master's degree. She is also a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Her Journey in Politics

First Steps as an MLA

Pearl Calahasen first ran for election in 1989 in the Lesser Slave Lake area. She ran as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative party. She won the election, getting almost half of all the votes. This was her closest election win. In later elections, she won by much larger margins, sometimes getting over 70% of the votes.

When she was elected in 1989, Pearl Calahasen became the first Métis woman to be elected to public office in Alberta. This was a very important moment in the province's history.

Working as a Minister

Pearl Calahasen served as a regular member of the government, called a backbencher, until 1996. Then, the Premier, Ralph Klein, gave her a special job. She became the Minister without Portfolio responsible for Children's Services.

In 1999, she moved to a new role as the Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. By 2001, she was promoted to a full minister position. She became the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. This role focused on issues important to Indigenous peoples and the northern parts of Alberta.

Laws She Helped Create

During her time in the legislature, Pearl Calahasen helped create several important laws.

Bills as a Regular MLA

Even before she became a minister, Pearl Calahasen sponsored a government bill in 1990. This bill was called the Metis Settlements Act. It made Métis settlements a new type of local government. This law was supported by other political parties.

She also sponsored the Public Health Amendment Act in 1995. This law allowed nurse practitioners to do some of the same tasks as doctors. This was especially helpful in communities where there were not enough doctors.

Bills as a Minister

As the Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Pearl Calahasen sponsored the First Nations Sacred Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Act in 2000. This government bill made it possible for First Nations communities to get back their important cultural items and artifacts. This law also received full support from other political parties.

Images for kids

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  Results by polling division in 2015