Doreen Spence (Grandmother) is from the Saddle Lake reservation and was one of the first Indigenous nurses in Alberta. Despite all the challenges faced by many Indigenous women, grandmother is an accomplished teacher, healer, mentor and knowledge keeper. Doreen has worked tirelessly for the rights of Indigenous Peoples. She spent over two decades with the Working Group on Indigenous peoples at the UN in Geneva. The WGIP was instrumental in drafting (UNDRIP) The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Doreen has travelled the globe and is well known for her work and has received numerous awards.
Doreen was nominated for the 1000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015. Doreen retired from nursing and received an honorary Bachelor of nursing degree from MRU in 2017. She also received the Indspire Award in culture and Spirituality in 2017. At 83 grandmother is still an active lodge-keeper and support to many.