Tera Beaulieu.
On April 10, 2014, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Infinite Reach Facilitator Tera Beaulieu was recognized for her leadership by the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto who presented her with the Leadership Award at the Minaake Awards Ceremony.
The word Minaake means “people who are on the good path” in Ojibwe and the Minaake Awards are Toronto’s Aboriginal Women and Youth Community Achievement Awards, given out by the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto. The Minaake Leadership Award recognizes a female Aboriginal community member who expresses leadership in the workplace and/or community and who brings about positive change for others.
Beaulieu is currently completing her Doctor of Philosophy in the Counselling Psychology Program at the OISE-University of Toronto and is a recipient of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards a doctoral student may hold in Canada and is awarded based on demonstrated leadership and academic merit. Tera’s program of research examines the supports and challenges of Métis traditional knowledge in addressing the life transition needs (mental health, education and employment) of urban Métis homeless peoples.
MNO Veterans’ Council President Joseph Paquette with
Tera Beaulieu at the Minaake Awards. Tera is holding
the Leadership Award.
Beaulieu has also worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for the past six years. She is currently the Supervisor of Aboriginal Engagement and Outreach with the Provincial System Support Program, and previously worked as a Counsellor with the Youth Outreach Service where she was the lead clinician for a community-based partnership with an Aboriginal agency in Toronto focused on providing clinical services to Aboriginal youth. In addition to her studies and professional work, Tera is also dedicated to providing cultural events in Toronto and has acted as the facilitator for the MNO Infinite Reach: Métis Student Solidarity Network at University of Toronto for the past three years.
Beaulieu currently holds the position of Woman’s Representative with the MNO Toronto and York Region Métis Council and will be running for the position of President in June 2014 election.
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Tera Beaulieu was nominated by Christine Skura. When submitting this article Christine wrote the following personal statements about Tera:
I first met Tera at an Infinite Reach event with the MNO. Tera’s passion and strong interest in forming a stronger Métis/Aboriginal community was unforgettable. She is a powerful, well-spoken and an intelligent Métis woman. Tera embodies the qualities of a leader in every aspect. Her commitment to building a supportive and close community among the urban Aboriginal population is evident. Her initiative to plan and implement events in the city for Aboriginal peoples is an example of her dedication to building a supportive and close community. Tera is dedicated to continuing to strengthen the Métis/Aboriginal community within the city of Toronto, and I greatly look forward to continuing to work with her over the next several years in community-based work for Métis.