Randy' Scholarship 4 Indigenous women firefighters
Donation protected
Captain Randy Bair served with the Muskoday First Nation Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years. His work in the Fire and Rescue Service extended over 40 years, until his death from cancer on January 29, 2021, at the age of 61. He was also an integral member of the Prince Albert Grand Council Search and Rescue organization and Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management. His training, expertise and passion for his calling will be remembered by his friends and colleagues forever.
Not only was Randy a great firefighter, he was also a great provider who taught his children everything he could. He was a heavy equipment operator, a Rodeo Randy, a hunter, and a great dancer.
He was also a great Mentor.
It was Randy who shoulder tapped Michelle Vandervord 23 years ago to join the Muskoday First Nation Volunteer Fire Department. Michelle is the longest-serving female firefighter and the first female Captain in the department’s history.
Michelle is currently the Associate Director for Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management (SFNEM) in Prince Albert. SFNEM provides Fire and Emergency Training, Response Services to First Nation communities and organizations. SFNEM’s mission is to build capacity on-reserve so First Nations can lead and manage their emergencies. Michelle is also Prince Albert Grand Council's Search, Rescue & Recovery President.
When Michelle says she wants to break glass ceilings for girls and women, she speaks from experience – as a female firefighter that has accomplished many firsts, she is a national role model. In 2020, Michelle was voted in as the first female President of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada.
In the radio ten-codes used by firefighters and first responders, "10-42" is used when your tour of duty or call is complete and the firefighter returns to base. It is also used when a firefighter retires or has lost their life.
10-42 Fire Captain Bair.
The memory of you will live on through “Randy’s shoulder tap” scholarship for Indigenous female firefighters starting their careers. It will honour you as Michelle's mentor who tapped her on the shoulder and said, you can be a firefighter too.
Organized through the Preparing Our Home program that empowers Indigenous youth leadership in emergency management, the scholarship will be administered through Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management.
Partnership with Cheekbone Beauty: We partnered with Cheekbone Beauty to raise awareness about the role of Indigenous women in emergency preparedness and to create a scholarship for Indigenous women firefighters in the loving memory of Randy Bair.
*a portion of proceeds will be donated for all purchases of the Red Lip Kits made between 9AM EST on July 22 and 11:59PM EST on July 24.
https://www.cheekbonebeauty.com/collections/bundles/products/sustain-lip-kit-red?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign
Learn more:
Preparing Our Home: http://preparingourhome.ca/
Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management: https://www.sfnem.ca/
Organizer
Lily Yumagulove
Organizer
Slocan, BC
