Dolores Pinder: Generational Storyteller

The practice of Métis storytelling is not merely a connection to the past, but a vibrant, ongoing tradition kept alive by the voices and memories of today's community members. Among these storytellers, Dolores Pinder (née Bussineau) stands out for her dedication to preserving the history of the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community. 

As an advisor, knowledge holder, and lifelong community advocate, Dolores shared stories rooted in her family’s original Métis River Lot home and their deep, enduring connection to the Agawa Bay village on Lake Superior. Her lived experiences helped guide the development of the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Heritage Centre and enriched the community’s understanding of its past.

In an interview reflecting on her family’s ties to Agawa Bay, Dolores recalled the displacement her family faced and the generational impacts that followed. She described how her parents, storytellers in their own right, kept their connection to Agawa alive through daily reflection and remembrance. As she explained: 

“Not so much the money—it’s… I don’t know, it’s just, my Mom and Dad, it would be nice for them to have the money, you know? They still would have missed the Agawa. There wasn’t a day went by that they didn’t talk about up there, my mom, especially.”

Through sharing stories of resilience, memory, and family, Dolores highlighted a truth that extends far beyond compensation: the strength of Métis communities lies in the stories they carry, protect, and continue to pass on today.

See Our Sources

• Excerpt of an Oral History Interview with Dolores Pinder, January 30, 2020

• Métis Tours, Meet Our Guides

• Dolores Pinder Photo Collection, Sault Ste. Marie Métis Heritage Centre

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