Staff Profile: Featuring Sharon Morin

In the coming weeks, we will be featuring our staff at the Musée Héritage Museum. You will get to know some of the interesting folks who make it possible for us to deliver our programs and services. Staff will be regularly sharing their thoughts and projects at the museum. We hope these features will give some insight into the different personalities, experiences, programs, events, and projects at our museum and heritage sites. This week we begin by featuring Sharon Morin, Program Manager.

Born into a large politically active Métis family of 8, I have spent a lot of time participating in many political and cultural activities and in many ways lived a traditional Métis life. After finishing school and taking various business courses I worked at Métis Urban Housing. 

I am married, have 4 handsome sons with my husband of 25 years and we now have 3 grandchildren! 

Volunteering my time and working with retired Senator Thelma Chalifoux, we started the Michif Cultural and Resource Institute in historical St. Albert.  Located in a historic house we refer to  this special place as a Métis Living Museum and Resource Center and invite people in to learn more about the Métis in St. Albert and Alberta. 

Initially I volunteered at the museum developing and leading programs and seven years was the Lead Aboriginal Programmer at the museum developing curriculum related aboriginal programs for all ages. Currently I am the Program Manager for the Musée Héritage Museum and Heritage Sites. 

During the week our department offers education programs for school children which I coordinate and manage. Students and teachers arrive daily at the museum where we average about 600-700 children a month. All the programs are linked to the Alberta curriculum and encourage sensitivity and cultural awareness. Each program incorporates activities, a craft project where we strive to have elements of the traditional teachings within the whole program.

Community programming is also part of my job and often occurs on weekends and evenings. This includes Brownie and Cub programs, tours for Seniors and speaking with local clubs and at school assemblies.  

I am the Past President of the Aboriginal Women’s Professional Association, co founder and Board President of the Michif Cultural and Resource Institute, community member on the St. Albert National Aboriginal Day committee and was on the steering committee for the St. Albert Founders Walk working on a 150^th anniversary legacy project for the City of St. Albert. In 2013 I was nominated, and received the Edmonton Fierce Award in the category of Empowerment.

Ekosi Maka