MAWA bids a fond farewell to Programming Associate Niamh Dooley (left), April 2024.
MAWA Program Associate Niamh Dooley has recently moved home to Sioux Lookout. She has been hired for an exciting new job as the Lac Seul First Nation’s Communications Coordinator Digital Specialist. She and her wife Mal departed in May.
Niamh began working at MAWA in 2018, and since then has led the Indigenous Feminisms group (2018-19), the Cross-Cultural Beading Circle (2018-24) and Indigenous Art Nights (2019-24). She also curated MAWA’s Community Beading exhibition, as part of C2’s Beading Symposium (2020), and has contributed to every aspect of MAWA’s work in the office and in the community.
Niamh brought her welcoming, calm demeanour and impeccable organizational skills to all of the programs she led. She was a rock during two crises at MAWA. Thanks to her, we were able to continue beading online during the pandemic – she even delivered materials kits to the participants. After the fire on Main Street, she led the Beading Circle at Creative Manitoba and Indigenous Art Night online.
Niamh was an invaluable part of MAWA’s team, contributing to decision-making and the daily tasks that are rarely specified in an office, but nonetheless must get done. She is hugely missed.