Indian Band chief committed to building better communities
Rhonda Sheppard of St. Georges enjoys working with youth
ST. GEORGE’S, N.L. — Some time ago when Rhonda Sheppard was in college a friend told her that she’d be chief of the St. George’s Indian Band one day.
Sheppard didn’t believe it then, but that prediction has come true.
She was elected chief of the St. George’s-based Mi’kmaq band that has close to 3,000 members inside and outside the province on Nov. 15.
Sheppard, 43, grew up in a large Mi’kmaq family that has always been a part of the band. An uncle of hers was one of the first chiefs.
Growing up she said the family spent a lot of time at their cabins in Flat Bay Brook where they would gather to drum and sing.
“It was part of what we did,” she said, adding being an Indigenous person is just a part of who she is.
“It’s spiritual. It’s a part of a way of living, a part of life. It’s me all the time.”
While she’s participated in various committees and groups within the band, and is involved with People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre, Sheppard had never gotten involved at the council level.
That was until a recent annual general meeting when she was nominated for the position of chief.
“Well, if this is what’s meant to happen, it’s meant to happen,” she said at the time.
“The time felt right.”
The chief’s position was the only one decided by election and a few days after her election Sheppard was looking forward to taking office and working with the new council. The other members include vice-chief Cecil Ryan, secretary Amanda Conway Lasaga, treasurer Mary Garnier, directors Judy Falle, Stanley Harper, Georgina Hoddinott and Joyce McLean, elder Anne Marie Alexander and youth representative Ashtyn McLean.
She said the band has been doing a lot of things in the community during the past few years and her focus will be to continue doing what needs to be done for the communities and the members. She wants to make sure people are heard and if something needs to be addressed that it indeed is.
“Just try and better the communities and the band.”
And her community involvement will continue to extend beyond the band. Sheppard is the commanding officer of the 194 Calypso Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, a role working with youth that she really enjoys.
She started volunteering with the corps in 2003 when her son, Cody Sheppard, was just five.
She also helps with fundraisers for the corps and other groups in the town.
And she does it all while running her own business, a day home caring for six children, and studying early childhood education online.
Sheppard recently participated in a question and answer session with Saltwire Network:
Q. What is your full name?
Rhonda Sheppard
Q. Where and when were you born?
I was born in Stephenville in 1977 and raised in Shallop Cove.
Q. Where do you live today?
St. George’s, NL.
Q. What is the hardest t hing you’ve ever done?
When I left home years ago. I left for three years, I just went away for work and I had to come back home.
Q. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
I think right now accepting the nomination for chief. I guess when we were doing the whole election and everything, I realized it’s a really important thing.
Q. What’s your greatest indulgence?
Oh, my God, chocolate.
Q. What do you treasure the most?
My land. The land is what I treasure the most. Did you ever go outside and just look and try and just see what you can see on the land? I like to take things into perspective, what we’re given and what we use. Sometimes we use too much of what we shouldn’t be using, and our land is one of it. We might take too much from the land that we shouldn’t be taking and really all we need to do is take it when we need to take it. The land and I guess my elders.
Q. What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality?
Empathy for my best. And my worst, tardiness. Everyone says whenever something is going on ‘you know Rhonda is going to be the last one to come.’
Meet Your Neighbour is a regular feature that pro les area residents. Want to suggest someone that should be featured? Email your idea to diane.crocker@thewesternstar.com.