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How many high school students can say they rode the family bus to school? For Sarah Midanik and her siblings, it was a reality. The 2004 Bellerose Comp graduate is a Cunningham – of the St. Albert-owned Cunningham Transport family – one of St. Albert’s founding Métis families with a homestead still out on Meadowview Drive.
Now president and CEO of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Midanik oversees a dedicated team of 10, whose aim is to improve the lives of the First Peoples in Canada by telling Chanie Wenjack’s residential school story. Through some 1,600 legacy schools and spaces across the country (which began with the late Tragically Hip front man’s album, book and animated film) Midanik says the fund’s goal is to educate Canadians – and continue a conversation – about the true history and legacy of residential schools.
“I couldn’t have imagined running a national organization when I was in school, but we were all raised to be service-oriented. My sister is an early-childhood educator and my brother works with an Indigenous organization,” Midanik says. “My mom took over the company my granny started in the '80s, and that remains on the table for us kids, too. We have the example of an incredibly strong matriarch.”
Some 15 years ago, Midanik’s path led her to the University of Calgary for a communications/marketing degree, followed by a move to Toronto and work as executive director of the Native Women’s Resource Centre.
At Bellerose, Midanik was an IB student and played volleyball, basketball and soccer. She said the school’s sports programs and community focus were a stand-out to her (the 24-hour fundraising Bellerose Bike-a-thon started in her day).
“And we had a wonderful network of teachers – some are still there and some I still keep in touch with through my mom,” she says.
“I’d tell kids in high school and just graduating that it’s critical to stay engaged in world events – to be an active participant. With a pandemic and missing grad, your thoughts may just be that you’re mad you didn’t get to wear your grad dress. I get that. But in time, you’ll realize this was a turning point, and your voice matters. You will learn resilience and strength, and be the ones who take on leadership roles in your community and society.”
Midanik says her non-profit goes by the hashtag #dosomething, and it’s a sentiment she says can help when people feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
“Get groceries or shovel the walk for your elderly neighbour,” she adds. “Small changes on your street can lead you to greater things.”
