Cummings, Nora (1938-)

Born in Saskatoon on January 1, 1938, Nora Cummings has roots in the historic Métis community of Round Prairie. She became politically and socially active in the Métis community in the late 1960s, and has been involved at the local, provincial and national levels. In 1969, with the encouragement of her uncle Clarence Trotchie, Cummings helped to form Métis Local 11 in Saskatoon; in 1970 she became the first woman fieldworker for the Métis Society of Saskatchewan. In 1971-72, she was instrumental in organizing the Saskatchewan Native Women's Association, serving as its president from 1972 to 1975 and from 1976 to 1978. In 1974 she was one of the founding members of the Native Women's Association of Canada, and sat on its board of directors for two years. In the late 1970s, she was a family worker and employment councilor for Métis Local 11 and was actively involved with the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre. In 1975, she was honoured as one of fifty Saskatoon women who had made an outstanding contribution to the city. From 1986 to 1993 she served as president of Métis Local 11, stepping down in 1993 to sit on the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan Senate, where she served as Chair of from 1994 to 2003. In 2002 she helped establish the Métis Elders Council of Saskatchewan, and today she continues to sit on the MNS Senate and to work with youth in restorative justice circles. In 2003 she received the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal for her commitment to the Métis community.

Cheryl Troupe