Aboriginal - Girls Action Foundation

of living on a northern reserve. There are many women that have been a part of my life
who portray leadership in many ways. My mother taught me many values that are carried
on to this day. Values such as: as love, honesty, humility, modesty, patience, and courage.
She taught me how to defy the odds, not worry about the harsh words that were shot
at me most of my days, and learn to live with blessings of my life. A woman of faith
and humbleness, she volunteered her time at local wakes, receptions, and even worked
serving soup at my elementary school. Her food was amazing, and made with hardworking
blessed hands. My mother’s name was Nora. What amazes me to this day is that
her bannock was named the best bannock in Norway House. My mother saw the beauty
and importance in the small things such as thread, how it brings things together to create
something better. How it fixes things with a needle to make it better. She was a woman
full of laughter, full of grace. My mother accepted what she could afford, what was given
to her, and her family; her two daughters with a disability, and her other two full of
rebellion. She dedicated her life to making her son, a young man who would never live a
normal life due to his disability, happy. She was a strong woman, and taught me well. On
March 2005, my family was hit with the hard news of her passing, and our lives changed
at that moment. She was my hero, my best friend, and a leader.
There are many other women in my life who have affected me in one way or another and
show leadership. One woman who I look up to is one of the hardest working women I
know. Being a beautiful mother to five children, she shows them to be strong. She went
back to school, and received a medical certificate, despite all the obstacles she had to
go though. Her name is Jerleen, and she is a leader for her children as well as her family.
From her, I’ve learned to be strong even when others push you down, pursue the dreams
of your heart. Being a strong mother is leadership. Another woman that has made
a difference in my life is a woman named Linda. Linda has been a mother to me, and
takes time to listen to my voice. She’s been through so much in her life that has helped
her become the woman she is today. She is full of compassion, grace, and laughter.
I’ve learned to listen to others’ voices compassionately, to be generous, and to count
my blessings. She listens to a hurting heart, and helps to make it better. Compassion is
leadership. My sister, who is older than me, has been through a lot in her life as well.
She has not been the easiest woman in the world, but she is a hard worker. This year she
went back to school for a medical certificate as well. I believe she is a leader in my family,
Corrine Clyne
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