February 2018
(Fort McMurray) Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude are proud to announce the 9th nominee for the Women of Inspiration series 2017-2018:
Carmen Wells
Carmen Wells relocated to Fort McMurray from B.C. 10 years ago and has thrown herself whole heartedly into the community. Carmen is the Regulatory Affairs officer for the Fort McMurray Metis. Carmen is a member of the Papaschase First Nations and she is very proud of her heritage. She has been with the Metis Local for 6 years and has worked her way up to her current position based on her hard work, her willingness to learn, and her past experience and natural talent for management and regulatory/rights based issues. Ms. Wells spends countless hours outside of her work day working with and for the Metis elders. She shows a genuine passion for Metis rights and the protection of these rights.
She loves to spend time on the trap line and can often be found helping out on elder trap lines or starting the fire in an Elders cabin so they will be warm when they return home.
Ms. Wells works to spotlight the importance of Elder Knowledge and wisdom and has created programs and training for the Public School and Catholic School District teachers about Metis issues and their rich history and culture. She has arranged talks at the library to share the Metis story with one and all.
Carmen is also passionate about the arts and is actively involved in the Arts Council and in supporting the arts. She loves to promote native art and is a talented artist in her own right.
Carmen has been described as a positive role model for women in general, Indigenous women and Metis women in particular. She is a determined woman who doesn’t give up and who is mature and level headed even in difficult situations. She expresses her opinions strongly and shares her expertise willingly. She makes an effort as supervisor, colleague and friend to make people feel welcome and appreciated. She is a role model for those who work with her and is seen as a great mentor. Carmen is passionate about learning more about all aspects of her job and community including but not limited to trapping, Metis rights, anthropology, mapping, and the Arts. In her spare time, when she is not on the trap line, or with an elder or arranging a gathering, she loves superheroes, comics and movies.
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude will honour Carmen Wells and 11 other nominees, at the Women of Inspiration Celebration which will take place in June 16, 2018.
The Women of Inspiration is a partnership between Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude, with a goal to recognize women throughout the Wood Buffalo region who inspire others, break new ground or old barriers and help create change. The series also aims to show local girls positive role models who live right here.
To nominate a woman of inspiration, please visit our website at www.girlsincofnorthernalberta.org or contact the Girls Inc. office at 780-790-9236.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Dort-MacLean
Executive Director – Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta
Phone: 780-790-9236
Email: girlsinc@telus.net
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