Janet Wilson
Ojibway (Anishanabe)-Enniskillen, Ontario
Janet was raised by Grandparents and Aunties in the village of Enniskillen, Ontario where she, her sister and brother had been put into the foster system at a young age. She did not have the opportunity to know her birth mother who was Sheeshagwaning First Nation from Manitoulin Island in Ontario. Her Mother had been enfranchised when she married Janet’s father who was of Scottish and English descent.
Janet came to the Comox Valley in 1978 when she met and married a K’ómoks First Nation member and had 2 beautiful daughters.
Living and learning on the KFN reserve brought her a pride and sense of belonging that she had never known growing up in an urban setting with little contact with other Indigenous families.
This feeling of community instilled in Janet a strong conviction that it is imperative to have a presence in urban schools so our children can see, connect and feel their own uniqueness as an Indigenous person.
Janet has been in the childcare field for 26 years, earning her Early Childcare Education certification at NIC. She has worked in several daycares in the Valley but found her home at the CV Aboriginal Head Start Preschool program where she stayed for 16 years; drumming and singing with our young ones.
Janet is an active member of our community and sits as an Elder on the Board with the Indigenous Women’s Sharing Society, is a Wachiay Friendship member and an Elder with Laichwiltach Family Life Society. She is also involved with the Comox Valley Substance Use Strategy Collaborative.
Janet volunteers her time at the Lodge and the Junction participating in crafting circles, drumming and singing with and for, people who are coping with addictions. She also participates in many community gatherings such as MMIW Awareness Day, Comox Valley Spirit Walk and Orange Shirt Day.
Janet strives to live by the Ojibway Seven Sacred Teachings and is looking forward to bringing her teachings, knowledge and caring presence into our classrooms with a joyous heart.
