Joelle Erskine

If Joelle isn’t cooking, baking, or managing a successful restaurant, then she’s likely sewing, beading and creating incredible pieces of Indigenous art.

Joelle will drop everything she is doing to help another person. She has an incredible gift to share, to love and to support others, and for that, she is most successful. She is the owner/operator of Mitchell’s Cafe, and works in Cultural Support for the Mark Amy Treatment Centre, and she recently chatted with YMM about her life as one of this year’s Top 50 Under 50.

YMM: What keeps you in Fort McMurray?

JE: I love the community that I’ve seen grow here! The opportunities to be involved in the community and the quality of life for our kids is amazing.

YMM: What does community mean to you?

JE: To me, community is everything. They’re an integral part of our identity, belonging, and kinship, so I think it’s important that we give back in the best way we can.

YMM: How would friends and acquaintances describe you?

JE: When I asked a close friend they said calm, supportive, and generous. I really appreciate these words and think it’s a direct reflection of those I spend my time with.

YMM: What motivates you?

JE: Seeing the opportunities being created for our youth that I would have loved. Knowing things will be carried forward and built on.

YMM: For what are you most grateful?

JE: I’m grateful for my partner and children, family, friendships, community, culture, and ceremony. I’m also grateful I get to walk with people on their healing journeys. And my sewing machine!

YMM: Describe your perfect day in YMM.

JE: Hide tanning with our aunties group, complete with Mitchell’s sandwiches of course!

YMM: What is something that people are always surprised to learn about you?

JE: People would be surprised to know how many dead animals I carry around.