Muriel Stanley Venne

Muriel Stanley Venne is an Indigenous rights advocate and founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. A proud Métis woman, she was born in 1937 in Lamont, in central Alberta, and had completed three years of university when she accepted a position with the Métis Association of Alberta. In 1973, Venne was one of the first seven commissioners appointed to the new Alberta Human Rights Commission. She went on to serve for 10 years as Executive Director of Native Outreach. Throughout a distinguished career that spans more than four decades, Venne has devoted her energies to overcoming obstacles to equality for Indigenous women, children and families. She has served on numerous boards, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (now Indspire), and is a lifetime member of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre. Venne has been recognized with many awards and distinctions, including a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Justice and Human Rights, an Indspire Award, and the Order of Canada. In 2017, the Muriel Stanley Venne Provincial Centre was named in her honour.

“Honour the strength and beauty of Aboriginal Women!”