facebook.com/nelliecarlsonschool

By CHAT News Today

Daughter of Indigenous advocate Nellie Carlson says she leaves a legacy of self-sacrifice and dedication

Sep 11, 2020 | 4:30 PM

Nellie Carlson, a leading light in the Indigenous community, died Thursday at the age of 93.

Carlson, a Cree woman, lost her Indigenous status when she married a Metis man in 1947. She fought for 18 years to regain those rights.

Carlson’s daughter Myrna Sirett shared the news on her Facebook page.

She left a legacy of self sacrifice and dedication to the cause of regaining Native status for women who lost theirs, as she did, by marrying a non-Native man, challenging and succeeding to change the Indian Act Bill C-31. For which she was awarded with the Persons Award in 1988, as well as a street and a school named after her. She did all this with a Grade 8 education at a residential school.

In a Facebook post, Edmonton’s Nellie Carlson School wrote “Mrs. Carlson was instrumental in regaining aboriginal rights and status to ensure equality for all aboriginal women. In so doing she demonstrated the qualities that form the foundation of our school priorities:

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

12h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

13h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

21h ago

– High Levels of Learning for all
– Safety and equality for all
– A community that recognizes and supports the importance of education.

Mrs. Carlson embodied what it meant to strive for excellence, equality and community. We are proud to have Nellie Carlson as our namesake, and we are committed to maintaining her legacy of excellence. Being part of the Nellie Carlson Community as a staff, student or parent is an honor that will live on forever.”