St. Mary Catholic School Welcomes Indigenous Speaker Noreen Labelle

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School students in Ms. Prebble’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit Voices (NBE) course welcomed Noreen Labelle into their classes. Students had the opportunity hear her powerful story of resilience, courage, and reconnection to identity. A survivor of the Sixties Scoop, Noreen shared her experiences navigating foster care, adoption, and the long and often difficult journey back to her roots. Her honesty and warmth created a space where students could listen deeply, not only to her story, but to the teachings within it.

What resonated most with students was Noreen’s message of hope. Noreen also emphasized the lifelong process of reconnecting to identity. She shared how identity can be disrupted, hidden, or taken, but never erased. She spoke to the strength that comes from reclaiming who you are, honouring your story, and embracing the teachings passed down through community and culture. Her words reminded students that identity is something to nurture and protect, and that every person has a right to know where they come from and who they are becoming.

Throughout the visit, Noreen highlighted the kindness, attentiveness, and genuine care she saw in the students. She encouraged them to recognize this goodness within themselves and to harness it in their own lives, whether through compassion, curiosity, advocacy, or simply by showing up for others. She reminded them that their gifts matter, and that the small acts of empathy they offer each day can have a real impact.