Mike Mercredi

Mike Mercredi calls Fort Chipewyan home, where he is part of the Fort Chipewyan Volunteer Fire Department, and co-founded the Lake Athabasca Youth Council.

He recently sat down and chatted with YMM about his hero, the importance of family, and measuring success.

YMM: Who is your hero?

MM:

My hero is my mom. She’s a Residential School survivor, had a tough mom and a hard home life as a child. She married my dad, and together they had six children and lost one. My dad then became a violent alcoholic. After I was born, as her fifth child, she took a stand and changed her life. She made her own money, put food on the table, and made sure the rest of us got properly educated.

YMM: What motivates you?

MM:

My family motivates me. I have my own children and I belong to two large Dene families.

YMM: What’s the biggest risk you have ever taken?

MM:

The biggest risk I have ever taken is quitting Syncrude, moving back to Fort Chipewyan and starting over with nothing. It felt like I crawled out of the toxic tailings pond and was reborn.

YMM: How should success be measured?

MM:

You’re the only one who can measure where or what you succeeded in. If you lost everything in a house fire, does that mean you lost the race because your trophy burnt?

YMM: What is the worst advice that you have ever received?

MM:

The worst advice that I have ever received is “All you need is a GED”.

YMM: Describe your perfect day in YMM.

MM:

Walking down Franklin Ave in my Doc Martens and seeing my late brother smile.