Marlene is a Program Facilitator, Coordinator, Instructor, Educator, Designer, Master Artisan, and Cultural Facilitator. Marlene is a member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation from the Atlantic Region. She has facilitated many programs throughout the Atlantic Region as well as nationally. She has facilitated and Co-ordinated Programs such as Bridging To Success for DALA, The Seven Paddle Project at Bear River First Nation, as well at powwows, conferences, gatherings, Treaty Day Events, and throughout schools, universities in the Atlantic Region.
She has been producing and teaching Authentic Mi’kmaq Arts & sharing her Culture for over 30 years. She has been producing independently Matues (Porcupine) Quill Work and also sharing her knowledge nationally and internationally. Marlene is the past Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Nations in a Circle Arts Group Atlantic Aboriginal Arts Organization from 2004 to 2014. As well she is presently on the Alternate Board of Directors for the Native Council of Nova Scotia and serves as an Elder sharing her knowledge when asked to do so. Marlene also has sat on the board for the jurying process of the Canadian Council of the Arts in Ottawa, Ont. She has been part of the development of some of the policies and programs within the Canadian Council of the Arts to advance First Nations Artists in their respective disciplines. She has worked with Nations in A Circle as a Master artisan in her discipline. She was the Mi’kmaq First Nation Facilitator for the Back to Basics Women in Business Training Program across Nova Scotia. Over the past several years Marlene has been a Support for students and chaperoned many Youth Programs in the Schools across Nova Scotia as well as for Adult Learners and Women’s groups.
Marlene was also nominated for the Woman of the Year award in the Annual Atlantic Aboriginal Entrepreneur Awards Show, (2007). Marlene has attended and Facilitated Mi’kmaq Cultural workshops at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival in Toronto, Ontario. She has facilitated interviews with Actors such as Tom Jackson and Adam Beach to name a few. Some of her works and products are seen in Movies like Scarlet Letter featuring the Actor, Demi Moore.
She teaches Mi’kmaq and Aboriginal History and Culture through her Art at universities, schools, Trade Shows, (Saltscapes) Halifax Exhibitions, conferences, and in communities across Canada. She has presented at numerous conferences regionally, nationally and internationally over the past 30 years. Marlene’s Products has been represented at the NAFFEM -North American Fur & Fashions Exposition in Montreal, Que a number of times. Marlene herself has been featured on ASN Breakfast Television on many occasions demonstrating her Fine Art of Porcupine Quill Work.
