Occupation: Social activist, television broadcaster

Contribution: Since moving to Canada from Texas in 1967, Rita Shelton Deverell has used her career in journalism to create a voice for Aboriginal Peoples. In 2005, Shelton Deverell completed her term as director of news and current affairs for the world’s first Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). It was her skills in team building and producing that gave the network its stability and an Aboriginal successor.

Inspiration:
“I was almost shocked that there was so much unexamined racism on the Prairies. Things have changed over the years and are a great deal better. But, racism is racism. At first, I couldn’t even adjust to the idea that people thought they were only being racist if they were disparaging against Black people … the largest visible minority are Aboriginal People and those are the people where I could see my history, my conflicts or whatever it is I was on about social justice. Those were the people who were important.”

Advice to young women:
“The more skills you have, the better off you are. If you want to be a television director, that is the type of occupation that is extremely difficult, if not downright impossible, to be continually employed at. So, what you need to do is amass as many skills as possible in the areas of work that you are interested in. Putting all those things together may keep you working. Also, get a wonderful education.”

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