Introducing Elder Leone Neville, Métis Elder

Introducing Elder Leone Neville, Métis Elder

Akwesasne, Ontario, January 29, 2025

The National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada is honoured to welcome Elder Leone Neville as our new Métis Elder to the Elder’s Circle.

Image of: Elder Leone Neville
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Like many Survivors, Elder Leone’s life was profoundly shaped by the Sixties Scoop. In Saskatchewan, her baby was taken by the state without consent. For decades, this loss shaped her life, family, and path forward. Together with her husband, Elder Leone went on to raise a daughter who, in April 2025, helped locate Elder Leone’s long-lost son. In August 2025, the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada was honoured to arrange and film their first reconnection in more than 50 years — a deeply moving moment of truth, healing, and resilience.
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Image of: Elder Leone Neville
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A retired social worker, Elder Leone has dedicated her life tocaring for others. Over the years, she and her husband fostered 32 young people, many of whom continue to regard them as family. In 1991, she received a special commendation from the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs for her outstanding work as a Métis foster parent, recognizing her commitment to providing stability, love,and belonging to children in need..
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Elder Leone continues to serve her community with strength and humility. Since 2021, she has been an active Elder with both the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Board of Elders and the Métis National Legislative Assembly. In 2024, she was recognized as Elder of the Battlefords Indian & Métis Friendship Centre. In 2025, she and her husband received one of the highest honours for Métis people in Saskatchewan, being named Elders of Batoche during the Back to Batoche cultural celebration.

Elders play a vital role within the Foundation, offering cultural grounding, guidance, and accountability rooted in lived experience. Elder Leone Neville brings with her deep wisdom, compassion, and a lifetime of service shaped by love, loss, and resilience. We are grateful to walk alongside Elder Leone as we continuethis Survivor-led healing work together.‍

To learn more about the work of the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada and the impact of Survivors like Elder Neville, visit www.sixtiesscoophealingfoundation.ca or follow us on social media.