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Martha Sutherland is the daughter of Emile and Anastasia Sutherland. A granddaughter to David & Charlotte Sutherland & Harry & Christina (Minnie) Loone. She is a mother to three adult children, Waylon, Skylar and Kurtis and has been blessed with 6 beautiful grandchildren. She walks with her partner and shares her life with Brian Nakogee.

Martha is an educator and has taught for 23 years in 4 different provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Alberta) both in Provincial and Federal Schools as well as for the Cree School board. Her greatest accomplishment is obtaining a Masters in Professional Education from University of Western Ontario. Her greatest learning experience was at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College-University of Regina where she learned from Ininew/Nehiyaw professors about culture, language, and ceremony while studying for her Bachelor in Indian Education. She credits her success to her family for their support, her ancestors who worked hard for survival, and to Mundo Peetabeck Education Authority for their sponsorship.

She is a Fort Albany First Nation representative on the NeeKeeWaNan Working Group. She honours her role as the family representative for the late Michael Sutherland’s family. Michael Sutherland was one of the three boys who went missing from the St. Anne’s Institution. She is a jingle dress dancer and loves to dance at Pow Wows. The biggest Pow Wow and most memorable one she has ever attended is the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her youngest son, Kurtis.

Martha’s message is to learn to love yourself, forgive others for past wrongs and live each day to its fullest. Find your passion, plan for your goals, and work hard for your dreams and goals. Speak your language every day, return to ceremony, dance for healing, and walk prayerfully as you take each single step. 

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