MARY BURGARETTA was named after her maternal grandmother and aunties on both sides. She is Anishinaabe-kwe, a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation on her father’s side, and has Welsh/Irish/Amish ancestry on mother’s side. She is mother to two sons and sister and auntie to other wonderful people; just a few of the many relationships she has with family, friends and colleagues.
Mary lives, works, and plays on the traditional territory of the Cowichan (Quw’utsun) people—the Warm Land—and also works on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen and WSÁNEĆ peoples. She has been a guest on the lands of the Coast Salish peoples for much of her lifetime.
Her interests include supporting learning in the outdoors and on the land, encouraging cultural teachings and language from the beginning of life, and supporting capacity in programming and human resources. Mary believes in the connectivity of all life on Mother Earth.
