Bertha Skye

Bertha Skye (née Fraser;[1] born 1932 on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation) is a Cree Canadian chef, entrepreneur, and elder. In 1992, she competed in the Culinary Olympics, where her Three Sisters soup won gold. She has also served as an Elder-in-Residence at multiple post-secondary institutions in Ontario.

Early life

Fraser was born in 1932 on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan to a Cree mother and Métis father.[2]

Growing up during the Great Depression, Fraser, along with most others in her community, experienced food insecurity. Because of this food insecurity, her parents moved off-reserve so they could grow their own vegetables. This decision benefited Fraser as she was not forced into residential schooling like other children on the reserve.[2]

Career

In 1947, Fraser began working as a cook at the Prince Albert residential school, where she aimed to ensure every child received adequate nutrition despite the difficult conditions. Later, she took a similar job at a residential school in Norway House, Manitoba. However, she stayed only a year before returning to Prince Albert, then transferred to the Bishop Horden Memorial Residential School in Moose Factory, Ontario, where she met her husband, Herbert Skye.[2]

After relocating to Six Nations of the Grand River, Skye started a catering and crafts business.[2]

Skye also sat on the board for the Six Nations Health Foundation.[2]

Culinary Olympics

In 1992, Skye was selected to participate in the Culinary Olympics as the only woman on Canada's first all-Indigenous team.[2][3][4] The team won the competition with 11 medals,[5] including a gold for Skye's Three Sisters soup.[2][3][4]

Elder-in-Residence

Skye has served as Elder in Residence at multiple post-secondary education institutions in Ontario, including Sheridan College,[6] McMaster University, and Mohawk College. In this position, she guided administrators on implementing and improving Indigenous programs, as well as supporting Indigenous students.[2]

Upon the opening of Sheridan College's Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support in 2015, Skye became a member of the university's Indigenous Education Council.[6]

Honors

Skye was inducted into Hamilton's Gallery of Distinction in 2019.[2][6][7]

Personal life

Skye met her husband, Hubert Skye, while working in Moose Jaw, Ontario. Hubert taught at the residential school and secretly taught children the Cayuga language.[2][8] Two years later, the couple permanently resettled in Six Nations of the Grand River,[2] where they eventually raised their five children and helped care for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.[8]

References
  1. "Deborah Skye". RHB Anderson Funeral Homes Ltd. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  2. Boyko, John (2022-07-21). "Bertha Skye". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  3. "Strong Women". Clan Mothers Healing Village. Archived from the original on 2023-08-12. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  4. Simpson, Sally (2022-06-20). "Fifteen Indigenous Women's Firsts to Celebrate on National Indigenous Peoples Day". Canadian Women's Foundation. Archived from the original on 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  5. "Bertha Skye remembers the 1992 World Culinary Olympics". CBC. 2021. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  6. "Sheridan Elder in Residence Bertha Skye Inducted into Hamilton's Gallery of Distinction". Sheridan College. 2019-10-07. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  7. "Skye, Bertha". Hamilton Public Library. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  8. "Hubert Skye". Indspire. 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
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