Thelma chalifoux biography sample
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Even after returning to Edmonton, Thelma continued to work to provide good opportunities for the vulnerable population of Slave Lake. Drawing on her knowledge and experience as a single mother, she set a goal to improve the conditions for Indigenous communities in Alberta. While at the MWC, Thelma fought these negative perceptions by speaking publicly and offering practical solutions, such as cross-cultural training for social workers.
In the mid-1980s, Chalifoux began supporting Indigenous seniors, leading a research group on housing for older adults, which resulted in the establishment of the Stan Daniels Manor in Edmonton.
She worked with the Métis Women’s Council for years and ran the first safe house for victims of domestic violence in Slave Lake.
In 2004, at the mandatory retirement age of 75, Thelma left the Senate and returned to Alberta where she founded the Michif Cultural Institute, a museum and resource centre that preserves and promotes Métis culture.
During this time, she became the host and producer of a weekly radio show on CKYL Radio Peace River – becoming the first Métis woman ever broadcast on private radio.
In the 1980s Thelma was part of a Métis delegation that went to Ottawa, lobbying to get Inuit, First Nations and Métis people recognized as separate and distinctive nations.
As a Senator, Thelma continued to focus on issues affecting Métis people and women while expanding her scope of interest to include genetically modified foods, the federal government’s relationship with pharmaceutical companies, and environmental protection legislation.
In the Senate, she served as Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, where, among other things, she formed a task force to study the problem of Indigenous youth gangs in Edmonton.
She died on September 22, 2017 surrounded by her many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is remembered for her extraordinary and tireless work supporting Métis, Indigenous and women’s rights in Canada.
We hope you enjoyed this short profile on Thelma Chalifoux! She returned to finish her high school education, and secured employment.
In 1958, instead of getting assistance for herself and her family Thelma had her children taken from her by the Canadian government.3
Although at the time she had only a ninth-grade education, Thelma resolved to satisfy the government requirements to reclaim her children. Furthermore, in 2001, she supported a bill, proposed by Louis Riel, which sought to overturn his conviction for treason and recognize his historical contribution and the role of the Métis people in the creation of the Canadian Confederation and the Province of Manitoba.
After her Senate term concluded in 2004, Thelma retired.
From 1973 to 1975, she worked with field staff from the Company of Young Canadians, fostering local community development and advocating for improved housing for rural and Indigenous populations.
Educational Initiatives, and Protecting Métis Seniors
Chalifoux also made significant contributions to northern communities through educational initiatives.
Eventually, the MAA sent her north to Slave Lake, where she would spend the next twelve years working to support local Indigenous communities.
“… when you go into your communities and you see the devastating positions that our families are in, if you don’t do something, you’re failing, not only your family, you’re failing yourself.
In 1997, Thelma was appointed as a Senator – becoming the first Indigenous woman and Métis person to serve in the Senate of Canada. However, she continued to participate in many initiatives supporting Métis people and women across Canada. Operating a thrift store in the town, she enabled Indigenous women to sell their handmade crafts.
Back in Edmonton, Chalifoux continued her advocacy within diverse groups, with a particular focus on the Métis community, women, and single mothers.
In 1985, she became President of the Métis Women’s Council (MWC), speaking out against stereotypes that portrayed Métis women and single mothers as helpless people reliant on welfare. As a Senator, Thelma continued her focus on Métis and women’s issues, while also expanding her scope to include genetically modified foods, federal government relations with drug companies, and environmental legislation.
Also in the mid-1980s, Thelma worked to support Indigenous seniors, heading up a research team on seniors housing that led to the creation of the Stan Daniels Manor, a facility in Edmonton that housed over fifty Indigenous seniors. However, despite her hard work it was not until 1965 that the government returned the children they had taken.