Shelley Needs Us Now.

Shelley or as known to many as "Shelley Bear" is a proud Indigenous woman, educator, activist, mother, and femtor — Shelley has worked supporting our youth and people in their journeys, she's fought for justice and promoted healing in our places of work and within numerous communities. Now she is fighting for her life.

Please consider donating—whatever you can—and share this with your friends. Together, we can show that compassion doesn't require familiarity. It just requires heart.

✨ In Her Words

“I never imagined I’d be walking this path -living with cancer, humbling myself and asking for help. Your support gives me strength and lifts my spirit. In fact, I have never felt so loved by your donations, gifts and support. Because of you, I feel empowered to keep advocating for myself. It helps me hold on to healing and to envision returning to living a full life. Chi-miigwech.”

— Shelley Bear

Facing an Aggressive Cancer Diagnosis

Shelley was originally diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma; a rare and aggressive cancer linked to Endometriosis. It is now deemed to be STAGE 4.

She underwent extensive surgery to remove a large pelvic tumor that had spread to:

After over 60 days in hospital and several life-threatening complications, Shelley is now in a long and uncertain recovery. But true to form, she is still a fighter — determined to reclaim her health and her future.

A Life of Service, Purpose, and Love

Shelley is so much more than a diagnosis.

She is a:

Most recently, she became a proud graduate of SFU's Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leaders — completing the program at 57, a powerful act of breaking intergenerational cycles and reclaiming space for the next generations of Indigenous leaders to rise.

With an adventurous spirit, she has danced under disco lights, followed music through cities and ceremonies, explored Mother Earth and immersed herself in Indigenous arts and cultural traditions. She most recently, joined a band rooted in eco-activism and began taking singing lessons — a beautiful reminder that joy knows no age limits.

She also began building her dream social enterprise: Bears Den Consulting and Training envisioned to cultivate safe, inclusive spaces through Indigenous wisdom and transformative leadership. Her diagnosis has forced her to pause that dream — for now.

Why Your Support Matters

Shelley is currently unable to work and is awaiting a chemotherapy or alternate treatment plan. The transition from being a student to stepping into the early stages of launching her dream has left her without the financial resources to cover daily living expenses and many of the essentials needed while she is receiving treatment and taking the time for recovery.

Your donation will help cover:

Your generosity will allow her to focus on healing — not survival.

How You Can Help

1) Donate — Every $5 can bring her one step closer to stability.

2) Share this fundraiser with your friends, family, and community.

3) Send love, prayers, or kind words — they lift her spirit on hard

days.

Together, we can carry Shelley through this chapter.

With deep gratitude,

Shelley Bear’s Strength Support Team

https://gofund.me/7cb47936

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