Councillor Barbara Calderone's Biography

Hello!  My name is Barbara Calderone and I one of the council members of the Pabineau First Nation. I am presently 36 years old and a resident of the Pabineau First Nation community.  My husband, Joey, and I have been married for 14 years and we have two beautiful children, Romona and Giovanni, who are also registered members of the Pabineau First Nation. 

I am actively involved in learning our Mi'gmag history, ceremonies, and traditions.  My family and I have, for a number of years, adopted a traditional lifestyle.  Two years ago, I was recognized by my traditional elders as a sweat lodge keeper, an honour that now enables me to conduct weekly sweats in the Pabineau First Nation community.

I own two very successful businesses within our community:  namely, "Pabineau Pow Wow" (since 1996) and "Pow Wow Computers" (since 2002).  In 2006, my businesses were recognized at the Ulnooweg Development Group Inc. "Annual Atlantic Canada Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Award Show" as the "Aboriginal Business of the Year" for the Province of New Brunswick.   See article below.

Over the past year, I have been enrolled in the "Management Development Program" at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and I am happy to report that I am expected to graduate this spring.  I have been a guest speaker at various meetings, conferences, and workshops over the past two years, each time promoting the successes of our developing First Nation community.

I have worked for the Pabineau First Nation as the Comprehensive Community-Based Planner and Cultural Education Director since 2004.  I consider it a great privilege to have had the opportunity to represent our community as one of the elected Band Councillors for the past two years.  Involvement at this level of community service has strengthened my belief that the Pabineau First Nation community deserves a unified team of leaders that works together for the common good of the community.  

If you wish to contact me, please feel free to reach me at home, at my cellular phone, or by email. I sincerely look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Councillor Barbara Calderone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education

Management Development Program: University of New Brunswick, Department of Continuing Education, Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Fundamentals of Clear Writing:  University of New Brunswick, Bathurst, New Brunswick - English 1103

Comprehensive Community-Based Planning Program:   Dalhousie University - Cities and Environment Unit, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

High School Diploma: Bathurst High School, Bathurst, New Brunswick (Graduated with honours)

Affiliations & Memberships

Atlantic Community Planning Committee ACPC (Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs): Representing New Brunswick Community Planners

Committee Member: Pabineau First Nation Powwow Committee

Chairperson of the Board: PSSC (Parent Support Steering Committee), Terry Fox School, Bathurst, New Brunswick

District Education Council DEC (New Brunswick): Representing
District 15

Employment History

April 2006 - Present:  Band Councillor, Band Manager-Staff, Education Director, Cultural Education Director, Comprehensive Community-Based Planner, Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick September

2004 - 2006:  Comprehensive Community-Based Planner, Cultural Education Director, Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick.

2002 - Present:  Store Owner, Pow-Wow Computers, Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick. I sell computer hardware and software systems and computer parts and accessories throughout the Province of New Brunswick, employing four technicians.

2001 - Present:  Authorized dealer for Tandy's Leather Factory of Canada, Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick.  I supply leather and craft supplies throughout the Maritime Provinces and to five aboriginal schools.

1996 - Present:  Store Owner, Pabineau Pow-Wow Convenience Store, Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick. I manage all aspects of the business on a daily basis. I manage five full and part-time employees I deal with at least ten salesmen every week I make hand-made native crafts for sale throughout Canada within my own convenience store, other native-owned craft stores and on eBay.

1995 – 1997:   Portrait Studio Photo Specialist, K-Mart Portrait Studio, Bathurst, New Brunswick. Manager of the Bathurst store Sole photographer for the Portrait Studio Managed the everyday activities, including taking portraits, paperwork, and banking Met my required quota every week;  many times our sales were in the top five in the Maritime Provinces

1991 – 1995:   Cash Office Clerk, K-Mart Store, Bathurst, New Brunswick. Was hired as cashier, later promoted to senior cashier, then worked as a customer service clerk, and finally worked as the store cash office clerk, all within a one- year span Answered all incoming and outgoing calls from the switchboard;  recorded many of the store announcements on the PA system Four other employees and I cared for all the cashier paperwork and cash office work for the entire store Received and handed out cash to the designated departments on a regular basis Was in charge of authorizing questionable returns when the manager was not available.

Volunteer

Presently:  I have been an active member of the Pabineau First Nation Pow-Wow Committee since 2002.  I am also assisting with  fund raising for the annual Elsipogtog Sundance.  I am involved with Pabineau's drumming/dancing group, “Rolling Thunder,” which has performed free of charge at the annual Pabineau Powwow, at a local school in Bathurst, and during the opening day celebrations for Multicultural Week in Bathurst. 

2007:  Involvement with the 2007 Special Olympics, 2007 Youth Awards, and also working with the committee in Bathurst for 2007 Heritage Week. 

2003:  I was a member of the Family Week organizing committee for Bathurst, New Brunswick and was responsible for the Opening Day Celebrations.

2002 - 2003:  I was a participant at the Bathurst Hospitality Days celebrations for Bathurst, New Brunswick.  I was responsible for the events under the tent for Mi'gmag Cultural Day.  I was also involved with the closing day parade celebrations, having entered a float from the Pow-Wow Committee.

2002:  I was a member of the Eastern Turtle Performance Group which performed for the Canada Winter Games.  Was also involved in four fundraiser concerts held throughout the province.

Summary of Experience and Qualifications

Managerial Skills: Human Relations Management, Organizational Management, Project Management, Time Management, Coaching Skills, Manager as an Innovator, Strategic Planning, Proposal Development.

Communication Skills: Excellent written, verbal (public speaking), counselling, and computer (e.g. keyboarding, Internet, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Print Master, Microsoft Front Page, etc.,) skills and experience.

Organization Skills:  Extensive program development, program administration, record keeping, filing, financial accounting, and promotional skills and experience.

Research Skills: Extensive library, Internet, government archives, data collection/analysis skills and experience.

Other:  Excellent typing skills.  My primary language is English, I understand French, and am presently learning to speak Mi'gmag. 

Hobbies

I enjoy beading, sewing, knitting, baking, traditional singing and dancing, ballroom dancing, and am presently learning to play the guitar.  I also play the piano and enjoy making traditional regalia.