AUNDECK OMNI KANING—Katherine Barnes-Edwards comes from a long line of volunteers in her community. Since returning to Aundeck Omni Kaning 20 years ago, she has become a very familiar face during funerals. In fact, Chief Patsy Corbiere notes that “she is there at practically every funeral. She is amazing.”
Ms. Edwards’ family has a long tradition of helping to support people in her community during their darkest hours. “My grandmother and grandfather always did the last meal,” she noted.
By preparing meals for the family, the bereaved are able to focus on saying their last goodbyes to their loved ones, she explains. “They are going through a very difficult time; families don’t need to be worrying about making meals. It just takes three days out of my life.” Ms. Edwards notes that funerals in her First Nation community last for three days.
“When I came back to the community, I guess I just thought it was my role and responsibility,” said Ms. Edwards. “It is the little bit I can give back.”
She once did her volunteer work in the company of her mother. “But she is too old now,” explains Ms. Edwards. “So it falls to my role as the baby of the family.”
Of course, community volunteers in one regard do tend to be volunteers in others.
“I help out with a lot of other things in the community,” she said. “It makes my heart feel good to be helping others. It fills my heart.”
When it comes to “heart,” volunteers like Ms. Edwards tend to wear theirs on their sleeves and her empathy shines through during her conversation with The Expositor.
Ms. Edwards suggests that anyone who is willing to volunteer in their community step up to do so. “It doesn’t have to be making meals for those families dealing with a funeral,” she said. There is always plenty of opportunity to help make a difference in your community.
Katherine Barnes-Edwards of Audeck Omni Kaning has been helping out in her community for over two decades. She is often to be found cooking meals for bereaved families who are dealing with a funeral and is a familiar face at many community events.
