About Me

Sharon Syrette – let me tell you who I am . . Short version:

A PROUD FEMINIST

Poet
writing guide
partner
lover of words
social justice advocate
community historian
Innovator
creator
- public speaker
  - sometimes shit disturber
    - gardener
      - outdoors person
        
        basket weaver and collector
        
        fabric artist
        
        Curious, Complex . . . ever growing, learning, and changing
        
        mother, grandmother, great grandmother
        
        sometimes referred to as “that big-mouth bitch”

Know me??? add your own descriptive words.

Long wordy version:

I have a lifelong interest in storytelling, genealogy, history, and community building. I dedicate hundreds of hours to researching, recording, and connecting people to their heritage. Over five decades as an educator, I have developed learning materials and curricula for adult learners and am known as an engaging facilitator.

I am an editor and writing guide hosting informal Memoir Writing groups at libraries, community centres and online. I am often contacted by individual writers to read, answer specific questions, and edit a draft manuscript. I provide both copy and substantive editing with gentle and very specific suggestions for improvement. You can see samples of my responses at the Q&A: how can I write more effectively?

As a genealogist and community historian, I host a Zoom Coffee Chat “Tracking Indigenous Roots” for the BC Genealogical Society. For the Aboriginal Genealogy Association I develop Connecting Our Generations workshops and handouts, lead Family Ties projects and volunteer for community engagements. (ancestorconnections@gmail.com).

At the request of St’at’emc elder women, starting in early 2006 I led a team of volunteers and proudly helped with conservation work at the Church of the Holy Cross, a national historic site at Skookumchuck [Skatin FN]. I was featured on a History TV documentary “Saving Places” and co-wrote Spirit in the Land: Our Place of Prayer with my sister-in-law Yvonne M.A. Peters..

In 2010, as co-chair of the Heritage Places branch for Mission District Historical Society, I led a volunteer team and created a website featuring Profiles of Historical People and Places for the Mission North Fraser area. Although the site is no longer accessible, I still have many of the profiles and photographs which I make available through social media.

I am a writer and publisher of numerous magazine and journal articles. I have also edited two anthologies with senior authors at Wednesday Writers. I am proud co-author of Courage to Speak: Honouring Ancestor Voices with Elder Siyamtelot Shirley Leon.

For a detailed list of publications please check out My Bookshelf.

I would be pleased to get to know you. Please make comments or sign up to receive updates and events.