President Bio
Dr. Sheila D. Genaille, LL.D. honoris causa , a seventh generation Métis from the historic Rupert’s L and , was born in Manitoba and has lived in Edmonton and St. Albert, Alberta for over 30 years. A strong advocate of Métis rights, a defender of the Canadian federation and a former constitutional advisor to the Métis Nation of Alberta Association, Dr. Genaille was named to the YES Canada Committee. Dr. Genaille also received the Certificate of Recognition, Métis Nation of Alberta , the Governor General’s 125th Commemorative Medal, and the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Person’s Case (1997), Honourary Doctorate (civil) Saint Paul University , ( Ottawa ) 2003, St. Albert , Alberta Citizen of the Year 2003, and Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, 2003.
As National President, Dr. Genaille advanced the interests of Métis women at: the Dobbie Beaudoin Commission, Ottawa; First Peoples and the Constitution Conference, Ottawa; First Ministers Conferences, Ottawa, Charlottetown, and Baddeck; and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Education Round Table, Ottawa; Economic Development Round Table, Ottawa; Health Round Table, Vancouver; Justice Round Table, Ottawa, Provincial/Territorial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Regina; represented the Métis Nation at United Nations, Year of Indigenous Peoples, New York, and represented the interests of Métis trappers in Europe (London, Brussels, and Geneva).
Dr. Genaille’s background includes administrator and historian and as past Research Director for the Métis Nation of Alberta Association was responsible for the Métis Cultural Centre, Archives, and Library and in conjunction with the University of Alberta , Canada Employment and Immigration developed and implemented a training program in the museology, archival, and library fields for Aboriginal people. She has also transmitted this knowledge through guest lectures.
An active volunteer, Dr. Genaille has served many hours: Alberta Provincial Archives, during her six years, she assisted the public during extended hours on Saturdays; Alberta Genealogical Society, two terms as Edmonton Branch president; The Louis Riel Historical Society, two terms as president; Edmonton Métis Local 1885, board member, secretary and president; Alberta Métis Women Association, president.
One of Dr. Genaille’s portfolios as national president is international affairs and in this capacity in 1997, Dr. Genaille lobbied and met with some members of the European Union concerning the proposed EU Regulation 325491 and with other groups in London, Brussels , and Geneva to generate support to stop passage of EU 325491.
The Métis National Council of Women has NGO Special Consultative Status at the United Nations and Dr. Genaille has represented the Métis National Council of Women at various international fora with respect to, the Declaration of Indigenous Peoples, Convention on Biodiversity, 8(j), UNESCO, Human Genome, International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Briefings and meetings concerning the Organization of American States, UN Sessions on the Status of Women, and Intellectual Property Rights (43rd United Nations Session on the Status of Women March, 1999 in New York).
As well, Dr. Genaille is co-chair of the Indigenous Women of the Americas: Canadian Committee, which is a coalition of Indigenous groups from Canada that formed links with Indigenous women’s groups in Central and South America .