DOROTHY

by  Marilyn McAllister

A quiet woman

I took her to be withdrawn, resigned perhaps ...

but no,

Dorothy was a dancer, a singer, a fighter
giving voice to the pain and injustice

being frail

I imagined her cautious ... pensive perhaps,

but no,

she was strong, persuasive, determined
fighting for Native culture and identity

being naive ...

I hadn’t recognized her as a leader, a teacher ...

but yes!

Dorothy taught in universities, in shelters, in prisons
her presence a source of strength and inspiration

being modest

she never spoke of her accomplishments ...

instead,

she created a safe and sacred space
for those in need of healing

​

Having been given
‘The Order of Canada’ in 1978,
Dorothy Francis
pursued her work
in Human Rights, Prison Reform,
Missing Children ...
until her death in 1990