Shannon Bernard
Shannon Bernard is running for Council in Elliot Lake.
Shannon Bernard (she/her) was born and raised in Elliot Lake. Her advocacy has included organizing for change, giving presentations to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance, and working on issues that she says have resulted in legislative change and funding being allocated to the cause. Drawing on her lived experience and academic journey, Shannon is interested in addressing systemic gaps, social determinants of health, and the conditions that allow people in her community to thrive.
Why are you running for this position?
Running for council is an honor and being elected will be a great privilege where privilege comes. So does responsibility? I have a lot to offer the community. And I'm taking this step informed and intentionally, I've gone through our systems and know it's possible to be simultaneously, thankful for the services and resources we have. While knowing we deserve better, our children deserve better.
My mission is to address systemic gaps, from a strength based approach. Together, we can build a true community and be leaders of change that value its citizens, shared humanity and environment.
I truly believe, until we acknowledge the perspective of others and lived experience through their eyes and not as we wished to see it, we will fail and I will not be complicit in that.
I have fought for change, given presentations to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finances helped change legislation and have funds allocated to the cause for the first time in history.
I will take the same passion and drive to help ensure every citizen's voice is heard and shapes the future of our community. So we can all thrive together.
What do you love most about your community?
The Jewel in the Wilderness. The beauty that surrounds us.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your municipality right now?
The disconnection from our shared humanity. Lack of multidirectional communication.
If elected, what is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
Running for council is an accumulation of my interests, loves, lived experience, academic journey and lifelong goals. My main goal is to help change discourse of Elliot Lake altogether Polishing the Jewel in the Wilderness together.
What is one thing you would like to see your municipality do differently?
I would like to see the Municipality, work with its citizens. Supporting the most vulnerable so that we can all thrive together, reducing the burden on the municipality.
What does good local government look like to you?
A good local government is not one that works in individual silos, but one that builds a community of leaders.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would use it towards building a Social Wellbeing Center that offers support from western perspective integrated with Indigenous worldviews.
Reconnecting us to our humanity and the environment that sustains us. Creating unity and relationships of reciprocity, reminding every individual they are sacred.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
I like to learn from others, hear their perspective, as long as it comes with respect. Sometimes it even changes my own opinion. Learning is lifelong.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
I feel it offers a different way of thinking. A Matriarch offers nurturing that our society desperately needs. It can be seen as addiction and homelessness spills into the streets, humanity is struggling. As society records low levels of well being across the country. It is clear to see we are not meant to live this way.
Where can people find you?
Website: https://padlet.com/shannonbernard235/
