Senator Gwen Lindsay

I am a proud Metis from the lineage of Gendron/Boucher/Hallio/De la Ronde, and am therefore, a descendent of the establishment of Penetanguishene from Drummond Island.I was born in the mining village of Bourlamaque, Quebec, adjacent to Val d'or.  It is now a historical site, "La Cite de l ' Or"  It is primarily a French community, but there are English speaking people there as well.  There are a large number of Cree in this area.  I did not know that we were Metis, but questioned my father as to who we were.  He did things differently, such as bury our lunches in the ground when we were in the bush or put my brother on the back of a moose, as it swam across the lake.  In year 2000, my uncle told me that we were Metis, and helped me start the journey to answer my questions, and fill out my papers for citizenship.My husband and I were Specialized Treatment Foster Parents for 40 years.  Having grown up in poverty following leaving Quebec, I had a great empathy for children who were deprived and had suffered great trauma in their lives.  My husband and I were Pastors with a heart for the broken.  When I learned that I was Metis, I attended a Metis community meeting in Penetang, and expressed my concern for children.  I was asked to be the CWAC advisor, and continue to do this today.  I continue to speak out for our children, sit on the Board of Directors for Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions.  I am now the Senator for Georgian Bay Metis Council, and appreciate the opportunity to engage with our youth through Summer Youth Cultural Camp, ELCC, etc. My life continues to be full.  My passion has always been for children. My other passion has been a  keen interest in music and language.  This interest has allowed me to enjoy some unique experiences.  From a very shy girl spending a good part of my life in the bush, truly aware of the beauty of God's creation, I grew to be the  Worship Leader for Women Aglow of Canada, an interdenominational paraministry that focuses on the needs of women globally.  This experience took me to various places in Canada, California, and Arizona singing.  Today, I teach piano, and am writing songs for our Metis children to reintroduce the Michif language.  Professionally speaking, although we no longer formally pastor a church, due to my husband's illnesses, I continue to actively engage with our community, feeding the needy, and providing support in life's struggles.  Wasaga Beach has a strong Food Bank, one of the continuing works of our church.