Multi-talented writer was a voice for indigenous Canadians
Bernelda Wheeler was not only one of Canada’s first female indigenous journalists, she was also an actress, an award-winning author and an activist.
For a decade, she was the producer, host and investigative journalist for Our Native Land — a national CBC radio program dedicated to aboriginal issues that started in 1972.
Wheeler was born on the Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation in 1937, but was a member of the George Gordon First Nation. She was of Cree, Assiniboine and Saulteaux descent.
In 1940, she moved to Churchill, Man., with her parents and attended residential school.
At the tender age of 17, she began her journalism career as a disc jockey for CFHC, CBC’s northern service in Churchill.
Also during this time she wrote several articles for newspapers and magazines.
Wheeler published several books, including the children’s stories Where Did You Get Your Moccasins? and I Can’t Have Bannock but the Beaver Has a Dam.
Wheeler is also credited as being one of the founding members of the National Association of Friendship Centres. She was also an active member of Grandmothers for Justice.
Throughout her life, she kept her hand in journalism and wrote articles for newspapers and was a columnist for Eagle Feather News.
Wheeler lost her battle with cancer in 2005 at the age of 68.
Shortly after her death, newspaper columnist Doug Cuthand wrote about her in one of his weekly columns.
He remembers listening to Our Native Land while he was in university.
“It was the only program in the country that dealt with news of our people,” he said.