Two days before International Women’s Day, a special multigenerational moment between Mi’kmaq women took place at StFX. At an event to celebrate the awarding of two St. Martha Indigenous Mi’kmaw Education and Nursing Scholarships, a Bachelor of Education student had the chance to meet and converse with the honouree of her award.
The scholarships were introduced by the Sisters of St. Martha in 2022 to honour Elder Sister Dorothy Moore and Elder Sister Veronica Matthews, two trailblazing Mi’kmaq women from Unama’ki/Cape Breton. Their gift of $500,000 was matched by the Jeannine Deveau Educational Equity Endowment, bringing the total to $1,000,000. The two awards, one each for an Indigenous student in nursing and an Indigenous student in education, consist of $10,000 per year for up to four years.
MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
The event was an emotional moment for Sr. Dorothy, following the recent (November 2023) passing of her longtime friend Sr. Veronica. She learned about the awarding of the scholarships on her 90th birthday on October 13, 2023. When she shared the good news with Sr. Veronica, whose health was suffering, she replied: “You see, Dorothy, we will go on.”
Sr. Dorothy and Sr. Veronica grew up in Membertou and Eskasoni respectively. They were an inseparable duo, entering the religious order within about a year of each other. As they progressed through, Sr. Dorothy was selected to become a teacher and Sr. Veronica was selected to become a nurse.
About 65 years, later, Srs. Dorothy and Veronica are now helping two young women achieve their dreams: StFX students Patricia Ann (Trish) Thomas and Brittany Basque.
Thomas, who is from Pictou Landing First Nation, was selected from a competitive roster to be the first recipient of the Sisters of St. Martha Indigenous (Mi’kmaw) Scholarship in Education. It was joyful news to receive in the fall, just weeks after giving birth to her son Kohen. She will complete her degree this year and is eager to start her career in teaching.
“I feel so grateful. I really appreciate it,” said Thomas to Elder Sister Dorothy.
Basque is a first-year student in StFX’s accelerated Nursing program. A member of Potlotek First Nation, she will graduate in December equipped with the skills to enter the health care field. Both recipients were chosen through a rigorous process that considered grade averages and the strength of their applications.
OVERCOMING BARRIERS
The Sisters have long been invested in the academic success of women, including in Mi’kmaq communities. “When the Sisters of St. Martha came to Eskasoni to teach, it just opened doors for the students,” remarked Sr. Dorothy, who travelled from Membertou to Eskasoni to complete grade 7 before returning to Sydney to attend public school.
To pursue their education and careers, both women faced considerable barriers. “Veronica had her own struggles to get to where she got in education,” Sr. Dorothy said, reflecting on the discrimination experienced by Indigenous people. “Being told you’re not enough and proving it wrong” was how the two Sisters persevered and succeeded. “It’s something that Veronica and I consistently did. We dared to move forward.”
A humble visionary, Sr. Dorothy was featured in the 2022 documentary Sister Dorothy Moore: A Life of Courage, Determination, and Love. She is also the author of a book, A Journey of Love and Hope: The Inspirational Words of a Mi’kmaw Elder, a moving compilation of “talks, presentations, prayers, and ceremonies.” A lover of music, Sr. Dorothy sings and drums; she drummed at Sr. Veronica’s funeral last fall.
LOOKING AHEAD
Several representatives of the StFX community were there on Wednesday to celebrate the students’ accomplishments: Dean of Education Dr. Lace Marie Brogden, Dean of Science Dr. Joe Apaloo, Rankin School of Nursing Director Dr. Joanne Whitty-Rogers, Coordinator of Indigenous Student Affairs Terena Francis, Scholarships and Admissions Officer Michael Heighton, and Dr. Sr. Brendalee Boisvert, a leader of the Order of the Sisters of St. Martha and honorary StFX degree recipient.
Sr. Dorothy told the group that while the challenges she and Sr. Veronica faced are still reflected in today’s society, she believes things are beginning to change. The awarding of the two scholarships to Mi’kmaq StFX students is evidence of just that – the empowerment of women and communities through education, the heart of the Sisters of St. Martha’s ongoing legacy.
