Elder Sister Dorothy Moore

by Sheila O’Neill

“ The contents of my book lead to reconciliation all the way through.” This is how Elder Sister Dorothy Moore describes her new book, A Journey of Love and Hope: The Inspirational words of a Mi’kmaw Elder, published by Nimbus.

Elder Sister Dorothy Moore was born in 1933 in Membertou and is a survivor of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. A Sister of Martha and a respected educational leader, throughout her career Sister Dorothy gave a series of talks at conferences which, in today’s terminology, sought to disrupt the narrative, and to raise awareness about colonization and its ongoing negative effects on Indigenous peoples.

These talks addressed Mi’kmaw language as a human right, the challenges of growing up in a racist environment and the importance of healing. They challenged her audience to counter negative stereotypes. And she did so through her own lived experience.

“Being a survivor, I know what I’m speaking about,” Sister Dorothy shared when we met by video call to discuss her book.

“I really prepared to speak to the groups as if I was in the audience. I asked myself what is it that I need to hear? What would change me?”

Residential schools and day schools operated throughout Canada from 1840 until about 1996. Although the residential school no longer exists, “The spirit of its ghosts continues to haunt us in our lives today,” she writes in Love and Hope.

For healing to take place, residential school survivors need to tell their stories. And for reconciliation to take place, Canadians need to hear those stories.

Sister Dorothy’s stories speak of resilience and courage. Of literally (there was a fence around Membertou reserve) and figuratively jumping beyond what was permitted of her.

They also speak of racism, which she described during our call as “sneaky like a snake in the grass.” Sister Dorothy challenged educators to actively participate in making changes in the classrooms and in the curriculum that reflected the history, culture, language and achievements of Indigenous peoples.

In 2015, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada published the 94 Calls to Action, Call to Action 63 called upon the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues. Long before this, Sister Dorothy was using her personal stories to create an awakening experience for her audience. These stories—this lived experience—is relevant to this day.

Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in this country. Or in the words of Sister Dorothy, “We need to walk together down this path.”

Coming full circle, on October 13, her 89th birthday, Elder Sister Dorothy Moore is launching A Journey of Love and Hope: The Inspirational Words of a Mi’kmaw Elder, in Membertou First Nation.

“I was born there, and I come back there to tell my story.” ■

Elder Sister Dorothy Moore Nimbus Publishing

SHEILA O’NEILL is from Kippens, NL, and is a member of Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. Sheila is a Drum Carrier and carries many teachings passed down by respected Elders. As a founding member and past president of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network (NAWN), she has been part of a grassroots movement of empowerment of Indigenous women within the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. She lives in St. John’s.