We are pleased to recognize Brooke Hannah as the outstanding kinship care provider of 2024.

Brooke began providing kinship care 9 years ago when her partner’s children entered the system. In time, Brooke added 2 of her own biological children to their family. In her desire to create and foster family connections, even after the death of her partner, she continued to provide care for his two children. During her kinship journey, she connected with another family providing kinship care, who’s children, it turned out, were from the same reserve and related to her crew! When that caregiver passed away, Brooke took in her 3 kinship placements, as well as the bio young adult of that caregiver, further expanding her passion of keeping children connected both physically and culturally. Her nominator recognized this amazing attribute by noting the incredible work Brooke has done around keeping the children connected to family and culture, going above the beyond and saying “She just gets it!”

Now if you’ve been counting, that’s 8 children for this single momma! One would wonder how she finds time to do it all. She makes every Success in School meeting, attends meetings with the band designates, ensures each of the children is celebrated on their birthdays and special occasions. She managed all this over the years while taking her own schooling to become a health care aid for the elderly. However, the importance of self care is not lost on Brooke. She values the respite time when she can get it and her nominator praised her ability to advocate for help when needed…a skill all caregivers must possess!

Brooke mentioned that her greatest success in this journey has been able to keep this family together and jokingly noted that another success was getting 7 kids off to school everyday! She shared that she is grateful for her family and for life in general, and grateful that she is able to provide for these kiddos.

Brooke’s nominator proudly shared that “Brooke has shown incredible strength and commitment to these children”. It is evident that Brooke is all the things and more that a caregiver should be and we are honoured to recognize her here this evening as the Outstanding Kinship Caregiver of the Year.