A Promise to an Outgoing Leader

Well. She’s gone, and I’m still a little sad. I remember when I first met Grace Winter. It was at a strategic planning meeting between all the newspaper staff in Sioux Lookout almost five years ago. We had gathered to discuss the future and direction of the company. She and I stood on a balcony overlooking a beautiful lake during one of the breaks. We introduced ourselves to one another. It was then she told me that she’d wanted to work at Wawatay since she was nine. At that time I thought her revelation was odd in a pleasing sort of way because

a) you don’t often find nine-year-olds who already know what they want to do in life, and
b) she never strayed from her goal.

She was quiet when I first met her. I laugh now when I think about it, because she’s not at all a quiet person. She loves to joke and laugh and is fiercely loyal to those lucky enough to call her “friend.” Her other lifelong dream, she later revealed to me, was to start up a magazine for our youth. Again, here is a girl who never strayed from her dream even though she hit one obstacle after another in her journey to get there. Needless to say, she went on to make her dream a reality. Congrats girl!

I’ve been there too. I announced to my family one summer that I was going down south to study journalism. One of my siblings (I won’t say who out of respect) told me just as quickly that it wasn’t likely to happen – that I would fail. I like a good challenge, so my response was “Oh yeah? Watch me!” My journey wasn’t always easy however. I got homesick, ran into racism, there was even a tragic death in the family, but I made it to my first newspaper job, young, feeling giddy and a little shaky. I remember the morning after I joined The Daily Press. My first story had made the Front Page! For those of you who don’t know, it's highly unusual for this to happen: most young journalists often find themselves assigned to covering “soft” news stories for the back pages. Not bad for a little Cree girl from one of the tiniest reserves in NAN! The point I’m making is: if we all trust our instincts, tune out the naysayers and go for broke, there isn’t much we can’t do! Good luck people! I’m rootin’ for ya! (also, I won’t stop you if you feel compelled to introduce yourself to me and share your story here at SEVEN. I’m pretty friendly that way.)

Today I am making a promise to my friend who has moved on to pursue higher education: I will make you proud and will take care of your baby as best I can! Thanks again GRACE, for your vision and passion.

p.s. to my family member: Thanks for the challenge! You helped get me here.