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Bernice Bourbonnais Caregiver, Thunderbird Counseling
"My Saulteaux name is Momeyekae (White Woman), and I'm from Lake St. Marten, near Winnipeg, Manitoba. I've been on my own since I was sixteen years old. For many years, I drank too much, but in 1994 I realized that I really wanted to work with children. Before I could do that, I needed to make the commitment to myself to quit drinking. It was hard. I never had any children of my own, but now I find that working with kids fills that gap in my life.
"One of the big influences in my life has been Vera Richard at the Friendship Centre in Winnipeg. I used to get into a lot of trouble when I was a kid, and Vera was always there to straighten me out. I just hope that I can help other kids out like that." "When I first met Bernice, we were both drinking. Over the years, she has sobered up and shown me that alcohol isn't going to get me what I want in life. She has always been there for me to talk to and has been a real mother figure for me. When I was young, I never had a mother whom I could turn to. Bernice has given me the support I never had. My children also go to Bernice for advice, support, and guidance. She has become a very important part of my family."
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