SHARON SYRETTE:LIFE OF A WRITER

Sharon Syrette received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Premier of BC for her outstanding leadership and dedication as a Spirit of BC volunteer, leaving a lasting legacy of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and inspiring community celebration.

Sharon Syrette is a passionate advocate for community history, a seasoned writer and editor, and a tireless educator who has dedicated her life to preserving stories and empowering others to share theirs. Recognized in 2008 as a Freeman of the City by the Mayor and Council of Mission, Sharon’s commitment to service and storytelling is both extraordinary and inspiring.

Since retiring, Sharon has embraced an active role as a writing coach and Indigenous family tree network facilitator, guiding others in tracing their heritage and penning their memoirs. Her specialties - heritage research, oral history, genealogy, and community storytelling - reflect her lifelong dedication to uncovering the untold stories of everyday people, especially women whose contributions have often been overlooked in historical records.

Born and raised in Coombs on Vancouver Island, Sharon graduated from Qualicum Beach Secondary School and the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Education degree. Her early career took her to Tanzania, East Africa, where - just 22 years old - she served as head of the English department at Iyunga Boys’ School. Returning to Canada, Sharon taught in public schools in Ontario and BC and spearheaded “Stay in School” initiatives for youth.

Sharon’s commitment to community extends far beyond the classroom. Since settling in Mission in 1975, she has played a pivotal role in numerous initiatives, including co-founding the Valley Women’s Network in the 1980s and preserving the Church of the Holy Cross, a national historic site at Skatin FN (formerly Skookumchuck). Her work with the Mission District Historical Society’s Heritage Places branch led to the creation of a website showcasing profiles of historical people and places in the Mission/North Fraser area.

An engaging speaker and facilitator, Sharon has volunteered extensively with groups such as the Fronya Women’s Resource Centre, Mission Transition House, and SD#75 Siwal Si’wes Aboriginal Advisory Council. She was also an inaugural member of Mission’s Cultural Resources Commission. Sharon continues to share her knowledge through monthly Coffee Chat: Tracking Indigenous Roots sessions for the BC Genealogy Society and as the volunteer leader of Family Ties: Connecting Our Generations, an Aboriginal genealogy project.

Sharon has also guided the publication of numerous community anthologies, including Reflections: Our Canadian Experiences (2017) and Kaleidoscope: Small Bright Pieces (2019). As co-editor, she contributed to Spirit in the Land: Our Place of Prayers (2008) and Courage to Speak: Honouring Elders’ Voices (2019). Most recently, she co-edited Deedee's Indigenous Dream, published in February 2023.

Today, Sharon dedicates much of her time to genealogy, memoir writing, and preserving the stories of the Fronya Women’s Resource Centre and Mission Transition House Society, with a goal to release a comprehensive community history for their 50th anniversary in May.

A self-described “elder mother,” Sharon treasures her large extended family and hosts monthly Sunday dinners with her partner, Harold Peters. She has also ventured into social media, launching a bi-weekly blog, Words, Wisdom and Writing Tips, and an author website at www.sharon-syrette.ca, where her publications are available.

For Sharon Syrette, storytelling isn’t just a passion; it’s a way to connect generations, honour heritage, and inspire others to embrace their histories and voices.