Cathy Grant Gerrior - Social Justice All-Star

Why is she an amazing and worthy Social Justice All-Star? Because sometimes the quiet work is the best work. Cathy is the only female counsellor at New Leaf, a men's program based out of New Glasgow, N.S. She working with men who have been violent, supporting them to accept their responsibilities and just as importantly, assisting them in finding their humanity. Cathy is a mother and a provider for her extended family. She is also the daughter of a residential school survivor and she describe herself as 'a Native women living and working in the dominant society that doesn't always value my Nativeness.' Her approach to address the genocide perpetrated against her family and her community is to bring aboriginal peoples and non-Natives together, to educated, share and honour First Nation's cultural practises, and restore right relationships.  Cathy builds peace and social justice through accountability and understanding, and she uses her presence and her words to bring reconciliation and justice to the world. Cathy would see herself as someone who doesn't like pomp or fuss and goes quietly about her life doing this work because that's just what you do. 

Steve Law is a contributor to the New Leaf blog. He is a father, partner, Mediator with Emerge International, Novelist of Tailings of Warren Peace, Farmer at SunRoot Farm and Social Transformation Program Coordinator - Tatamagouche Centre. - This particular piece written by Steve Law was published in 'This' magazine in their January 2015 edition.