Honourable senators, during this Mi’kmaw History Month, I rise today in this chamber on the unceded lands of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation to speak to you about a remarkable woman leader from Mi’kma’ki. She is a force of nature, a respected 90-year-old educator and an elder: Dr. Sister Dorothy Moore. Our colleague the Honourable Dan Christmas introduced the Senate to Sister Dorothy last year when he said:

. . . it can and must be said that there are indeed angels among us, tapped into something bigger than you or me.

He described Sister Dorothy as a “. . . productive, gentle, faith‑filled, determined and helpful example of servant leadership . . .” focused on the benefit of all.

Colleagues, I met Dr. Sister Dorothy Moore, a Sister of St. Martha, when she helped us at the Coady International Institute recruit an Indigenous woman director for our new Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program. Her wisdom, depth of experience and generosity of spirit helped us tremendously.

On September 28, I had the good fortune of attending, along with our new colleague Senator Prosper and the Honourable Dan Christmas, a Learning Lodge at St. Francis Xavier University entitled “Celebrating the Life, Work, and Wisdom of L’nu Elder Dr. Sister Dorothy Moore.”

The Schwartz Auditorium was filled with students, staff, faculty and community members, including many Mi’kmaw leaders from far and wide. My good friend Dr. Jane McMillan, former partner of Donald Marshall Jr., was the mastermind behind the celebration. Donald Marshall Jr. was from the same community as Dr. Sister Dorothy Moore and as the Honourable Dan Christmas — Membertou First Nation.

Dr. Sister Dorothy Moore, who experienced extreme racism when she “jumped the fence” to attend the white kids’ school in town, was described by those honouring her as a pioneer, as a female Mi’kmaw mentor, as a champion for Mi’kmaw language, culture and education, and as saucy, relentless and courageous. Our colleague Senator Prosper said that her love, spirit and legacy are like the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill. Hers is an eternal flame that will never go out. Dr. Don Julien of the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre described Sister Dorothy as the most valuable asset in Mi’kma’ki right now.

Sister Dorothy, in her typical fashion, said:

I never want to stop what I am doing. I do what I can every day. There is so much to be done.

Colleagues, Dr. Sister Dorothy Moore made sure that Mi’kmaw children knew they were seen and valued and that our Canadian society recognizes that, in fact, every child does matter. Thank you. Wela’lioq.