Helen Robinson-Settee
Tansi. Aniin. Boozhoo. Helen is Anishinaabe from Dauphin River First Nation in the interlake region of Manitoba. She currently resides in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 territory and homeland of her nation the Anishinaabeg. Helen’s first language is Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and she is honoured that her parents spoke their language in their home. She learned to speak English when she entered the public school system. She understands her language fluently, writes and speaks it semi-fluently. Helen lives with Type 2 diabetes and manages diabetes through medication, exercise and diet. Her siblings except one brother also live with Type 2 diabetes. Her father lived with diabetes and was on hemodialysis for almost twenty years before he passed away. Helen was also the caregiver to her son Kevin who was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at the age of ten. At the age of 19, he had kidney failure and required peritoneal dialysis until his kidney transplant. His older brother donated his kidney to his younger brother in 2012. Helen is an educator and is currently the Director with the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate with Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning. She has a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education from the University of Manitoba. Helen is also active on a number of education and health boards and co-founded the Wabishki Bizhiko Skaanj Learning Pathway through the Can-SOLVE Kidney Network. Helen lives The Good Life as an Anishinaabe-kwe and shares her knowledge and experiences with the various teachings she has been gifted. Helen is the mother of two adult sons and a proud Kookum (Grandmother) to three beautiful grandchildren.
