NORMA “KOKOM” D’OR
COMMUNITY LEADER | EDUCATOR
Nation: Little Red River Cree Nation, Alberta
School: Sister Gloria School, Garden River
Division: Little Red River Board of Education
For Norma D’or, known to many as Kokum at Sister Gloria School, learning is rooted in respect, care, and a deep connection to the land. A lifelong member of Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN), Norma brings more than 30 years of experience working in her community, guided by a simple but powerful commitment: “I’m here for the students.”
Garden River is a close-knit community where relationships, land, and everyday life are deeply interconnected. Norma describes it as a place where “the community is small and you know everybody,” and where the landscape shapes daily life, with “no tall buildings where you can’t see the forest.”
Norma’s connection to the land has been shaped over a lifetime. She describes herself as “a country girl” who grew up close to the river and the forest, places that continue to ground her. This connection carries into her work with young people. For Norma, learning is not confined to a classroom. She recalls hunting, dog sledding, and skiing as part of her life, often with her oldest daughter after school years ago. Norma describes her experience with Spirit North as deeply meaningful, sharing that being on the land “brought back memories of when I was growing up.”
“Norma brings quiet confidence and warmth everywhere she goes, as well as a spirit of adventure. Her willingness to try just about anything pushes her students to do the same.”
Norma’s approach to education is deeply relational. Shaped by her own experiences as a student, she is intentional about creating a different environment for the youth she supports. “The most important thing is to respect the kids, who they are, what they are,” she explains. She makes a point of greeting students each day, recognizing that “the kids need to be acknowledged… because they remember that.”
Respect extends beyond people to the land and community. Norma encourages youth to care for the spaces around them and to recognize the value of where they come from. “Respect each other, respect the land,” she tells her students, reinforcing values that guide her work as an educator.
Throughout her years of work, what continues to motivate Norma is the growth she sees in young people. She describes moments where students doubt themselves but rise to the challenge, just as she has while skiing. “I thought… I can’t do this… but then once I started going, there was no stopping,” she recalls. It is this lesson, and this encouragement, that she passes on to the youth she works with.