Sharon is Red River Métis and member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Born in the Treaty 1 territory, or Winnipeg, she is related to the Millers, Spences, and Irwins who lived in the area during the time of Louis Riel. Many of Sharon’s family fled during the Red River Rebellion, which eventually led to the establishment of the provisional government by the Métis leader Louis Riel, and his followers at the Red River Colony in 1869.
At a young age, Sharon moved to the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá: ka, or Montreal, with her family. The island called ‘Montreal’ is known as Tiotia: ke in the language of the Kanien’kehá: ka, and it has historically been a meeting place for other Indigenous Nations, including the omàmiwininì or Algonquin people. While in the area, Sharon completed a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology at McGill University. During this time, Sharon witnessed the Oka crisis that took place, which was a catalyst for the community research and release of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People (RCAP), Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and today’s TRC Calls to Action.
Sharon later moved to Treaty 7 territory to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, focusing on Indigenous leadership, policy, and community development. Sharon has worked at The City of Calgary since 1993 starting as the assistant to the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, then working in Indigenous community development, funding, social planning, community development, research, and advocacy on issues that concern the Indigenous urban community.
