17 Facts About Thelma Chalifoux

Thelma J Chalifoux was a Canadian teacher and senator.

Thelma Chalifoux is a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta.

Thelma Chalifoux's father, Paul Villeneuve, was a residential school survivor and served in the First World War working as a carpenter and farm hand.

Thelma Chalifoux studied sociology at Lethbridge Community College and later took courses in construction estimation at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Thelma Chalifoux co-founded the Slave Lake Friendship Centre, assisting women struggling with alcoholism and domestic abuse.

Thelma Chalifoux additionally championed the teaching of Cree in northern schools.

Thelma Chalifoux was the first woman to host a weekly show "Smoke Signals from the Peace" on Peace River's CKYL Radio and was the co-producer of the Allarcom series Our Native Heritage.

Thelma Chalifoux owned Secret Garden Originals, a craft, and floral design business.

Thelma Chalifoux was appointed to the Canadian Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chretien on 26 November 1997, making her the first Indigenous woman and fourth Metis person to serve in the Canadian Senate, following Richard Hardisty, William Albert Boucher, and Gerry St Germain.

Thelma Chalifoux held the position until 2004 when, at the age of 75, she retired and returned to Alberta.

Thelma Chalifoux died at the age of 88 surrounded by her family on 22 September 2017, after a period of failing health.

Thelma Chalifoux joined the Metis Association in the late 1960s during the early growth of local-level activism within Metis communities.

Thelma Chalifoux argued that there were inadequate levels of social welfare programs despite clear indications that Metis communities were among a large majority of those in Canada not meeting their basic needs.

Thelma Chalifoux, advocated for the increase of affordable shelter, food, and higher welfare grants and subsidies for Metis families.

Thelma Chalifoux later focused her efforts on the formation of the Welfare Unit, a group of investigators that looked into complaints concerning the Alberta Government Welfare Department's dealings with Metis communities and families.

Thelma Chalifoux's efforts exposed welfare injustices like those that occurred at Fort Chippewa concerning the lack of funds given to various families in desperate need of assistance.

In 2023, Canada Post announced that Thelma Chalifoux will be one of three people, alongside George Manuel and Nellie Cournoyea, honoured as indigenous pioneers on new postage stamps.