Honouring a Lifelong Advocate through 'Sheila's Fund'

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are reflecting on the people and stories that have shaped our community and guided our work. One of those stories is the life and legacy of Sheila Croteau, lovingly known as “Mama She.”

A proud Wolastoqiyik woman, Sixties Scoop survivor, and tireless advocate for Indigenous families, Sheila dedicated her life to ensuring others were seen, heard, and supported. In 2021, The Sheila C. Croteau Memorial Fund was established through the Community Foundation to honour her lifelong commitment to healing, advocacy, and community.

This fund was established with the purpose of supporting programs that uplift Indigenous voices and foster understanding across cultures — values that have been central to our Foundation’s mission for five decades. Each contribution to Sheila’s Fund is both an act of remembrance and a commitment to the future she envisioned.

As one friend shared, “Mama She taught us that healing begins when we walk together.” As we look back on 50 years of community impact, we are grateful to carry her spirit forward into the work still to come.