JEAN SHORT

Hailing from the beautiful Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River), NL, Jean is a nurturer. From the moment we first met Jean, we could see her resilience and her deep love and affection for those that she loves. She is trustworthy and dependable and is always there to lend an ear to someone struggling through hard times. She may try to put on a tough exterior, but she truly wears her heart on her sleeve as she is caring and compassionate and her beautiful qualities always shine through her smile. She is a nurturing Mother, Grandmother, and Fiancé, most often putting the needs of others before her own. Jean will agree when we say that she wasn’t always sure of herself and needed a little extra encouragement to join the Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities project as a Peer Facilitator, but having her with us along this journey has proven to be rewarding in so many ways. Jean has blossomed from a cocoon into a beautiful vibrant butterfly, and becomes more empowered as an Indigenous leader every day. She is a strong voice speaking out on Violence against Women and is a powerful advocate for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement. Jean has seen her share of struggles over the years, but has opened herself up to healing and uses her past to give her strength for her future. Jean is everything that we had hoped to have gained and we look forward to the future as she shines brighter with each passing day.