Sierra Noble - Talented and with a Giving Heart

Although best known for her passion for music, most notably as a very talented fiddler in the Métis tradition, for the past several years Sierra Noble has been actively involved in several volunteer efforts and has shared her musical talent and her passion for humanitarian causes with people of all ages, far and wide.

Her accomplishments are substantial, as she has received 4 humanitarian and volunteer service awards, including The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award, the Manitoba Teachers’ Society Young Humanitarian Award and Manitoba Hydro’s Spirit of the Earth Award.

Gandhi’s quote, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” is a favourite of Sierra’s, and although only 18, she has lived up to it well. Whether performing and doing workshops for the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow in the Yukon, or for the Riverton and District Friendship Centre for their Aboriginal Days event, Sierra uses her talent as a key to opening the door to delivering her message to young people: “Continue to dream. Never give up on your dreams.” She also stresses with youth that connecting with their grandparents and other elders is important. “Listen to their stories,” she explains. Storytelling is a tradition in the Métis culture, and Sierra understands its importance.

For someone as young as she is, Sierra’s travel and performing schedule is amazing. She performs, gives workshops and keynote addresses, and still finds time to support humanitarian causes. As well, she regularly volunteers her time and talent to support causes in her community, including visits to schools and hospitals.

Throughout her travels, one of the most moving moments for Sierra was being given the honour of playing the Warrior’s Lament at the re-dedication of Canada’s most celebrated European war monument at Vimy Ridge on the 90th anniversary of this country’s most famous First World War battle. Representing her culture and her generation on such hallowed ground on such an important occasion made her feel privileged. As she explains, “I got to know many of the young men and women in the forces, and I feel that by getting to know them, I am now able to know and understand the veterans even more…looking at all of the men and women in the forces today, I saw who the Veterans were many years ago…just young brave souls that will fight till the end for the unprotected, and for the innocent in the world…you are my heroes.”

In the words of a famous fiddling colleague, John Arcand, “Her warm and caring personality is contagious and her passion for life comes through in her music and everything she does.”