Colleen Simard has paid her dues. This resourceful Aboriginal woman has a list of accomplishments that includes being a regular columnist on Aboriginal issues for the Winnipeg Free Press, running her own community newspaper, Urban NDN, developing a new television show and homeschooling her 14-year-old son.

As busy as she is, she jumped at the chance to share her knowledge and expertise with Marymound School students. She told students about studying journalism, then taking Creative Communications at Red River College here in Winnipeg. This gave her a background in broadcasting and photography as well as print journalism. She is now working on developing a TV program that is a kind of Aboriginal version of What Not to Wear.

Simard was open about the learning curve she is on - and about the mistakes she’s made along the way. She remains resilient, though and is full of ideas and drive. She encouraged students to pursue their interests and to to be deterred by details. She welcomed them to submit stories, poetry, photographs or artwork for her feedback and maybe even for publsihing in Urban NDN.

Thank you to Colleen Simard for giving Marymound School students a peek into the workings of a newspaper and for sharing with everyone some of what it takes to be a journalist/columnist.