Florence Keeper is from Nelson House, known as Nischawasik Cree Nation. Grew up and attended school there. She attended high school in Thompson and later, Brandon university. She is a mother of six, 5 sons, one daughter, a grandmother of two wonderful boys and a granddaughter. She’s been busy! She has lived in Winnipeg now for 20 yrs.

Her work experience has always been health delivery: Medical Transportation and Referral Services. She was employed with the WRHA as the Aboriginal Health Service as Discharge Planning Coordinator.

Florence has been involved with Boards as a member in CMHA, Mental Health Community Service and the Women’s Crisis Centre in Thompson. She retired in 2014 – not her wish but due to health issues.

In 2002, a loved one became ill with a mental illness. She found herself and the whole family in distress…not understanding the illness and beginning a new journey. Without supports, resources, various hospitals and community programs, she and her family would have not survived. Today, they are in a better situation but continue to live with it.

When Florence asked to be member of the PCM board, she was eager and felt she had a better understanding and could contribute to support the issue for others. She is proud to say we have provided support to other parents here and in the northern area as she knows many people from there. She enjoys talking to people, reading, bead work, travelling, exploring new things when she can. As for her hobbies – nothing in particular – she enjoys many different things.