Biography
Karen Bernard is originally from Wekoqmaq First Nation, but now resides in Eskasoni First Nation. She’s a very proud Mi’kmaq woman and a descendant of the Indian Residential School. She is the daughter of the late mikmaw Oka warrior Lawrence (Lunch) Bernard and Shubenacadie Residential School survivor, Lena Bernard. Karen is sister to five siblings, Lloyd, Laura, Cyrus, Leonard and Linda and mother to two beautiful young women.
Karen is the director of the Jane Paul Indigenous Women’s Centre. She’s worked on the frontline within Unama’ki for various First Nation organizations for more than 20 years, dealing with all social issues from poverty, family violence, suicide, missing and murdered women, justice, Aboriginal victims, addictions and residential schools. She is a true advocate in caring for her people.
She enjoys cooking, cleaning, walking along the beach or shore lines and nature.