My name is Elder Betty Ross from Pimicikamak Cree Nation (a.k.a) Cross Lake First Nation. I’m a Residential school survivor of 2 systems, namely: Cross Lake – St.Joseph’s Residential School.
Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg Manitoba. I share my residential school experiences within my 2 storybooks, Sugar Falls-2011, ‘Did You See Us?”-2021. I’m a mother of two sons and two daughters, a grandmother of 15 grandsons, and 12 granddaughters and a great-grandmother of 10 great-grand generations.
I worked for Health Science Centre as a Cree Interpret/ Resource Worker for 11 years until I was recruited by Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in 2009 to work as a Spiritual Cultural Care Provider for Indigenous Health/ Cultural Initiatives. I retired from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in 2018, and took long-overdue rest to rejuvenate before travelling to New Mexico, Gathering of Nations, where I danced for Canada. Shortly after returning from the United States, I was recruited again this time by the Seven Oaks School Division as Elder in Residence. I’m currently working for three different schools, specializing in Indigenous Cultural Initiatives for kindergarten to grade 12. I connect with over 300 students monthly and just love my line of work today. I’m also very busy connecting with various community organizations by sharing the true history of residential school experiences.
