Métis Nation Mourns Passing of
Suzanne Rochon-Burnett
Celebration of Life Sunday May 7, 2006

Suzanne Rochon-Burnett

OTTAWA (April 4, 2006) --- The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) sadly announces the passing of Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, a revered Metis woman and one of the Metis Nation and Canada’s most successful and accomplished citizens. Suzanne was called to the Spirit World in Welland on Sunday, April 2, 2006, her only daughter, Michele-Elise Burnett at her bedside.

“Suzanne was a grand lady who brought enormous pride to her people,” said MNO President Tony Belcourt. “Her life of accomplishments is a textbook perfect story of the best of role models for everyone to honour. She met every challenge head on, persevered and was successful in everything she touched - in business, in the arts, in communications, public service and in life. She was passionate about her work, her friends and her people. We will miss her terribly”, Mr. Belcourt concluded.

Suzanne Rochon-Burnett had a long and distinguished career. A broadcaster in her early years, she went on to become the first Aboriginal woman to be granted an FM Broadcasting license by the CRTC. She formed Kakekalanicks Inc., a native art/issues consulting company and helped to launch the careers of numerous successful Aboriginal artists. She was a member of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Board of Trustees of Brock University and a past director of TV Ontario. She was a member of the Half Century Club of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and has received numerous awards, including the Eagle Feather from the Aboriginal Community and the award for Lifetime Achievement by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. In February 2006, she was inducted as the first Aboriginal woman to the Canadian Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame. She was a member of the of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, and a recipient of the Governor General’s Medal, Women of Distinction Award (for arts and culture), and the Royal Bank Initiative of the Year Award. Suzanne was the Founding Vice-Chair of the Metis Nation of Ontario and a member of the Board of the Metis Nation of Ontario Cultural Commission.

Friends and family are invited to a traditional ceremony and celebration of Suzanne Rochon-Burnett's life at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception on May 7, 2006 at the Pond Inlet at Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Scholarship Fund in memory of Maman Jeanne Hebert, payable to Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, ON L2S 9Z9.

For further information contact:
Michele-Elise Burnett: 1-716-913-3633
Evelyn Janke: 1-905-688-9788