Faces of FCSS

Jessica Big Charles, Community Services/Family Resource Network Director for East Prairie Métis Settlement

My name is Jessica Big Charles, and I am a proud Métis woman, deeply rooted in tradition, land and community. I currently serve as the Community Services/Family Resource Network (FRN) Director for East Prairie Métis Settlement, where I focus on building strong families, supporting our Elders, and creating programs that reflect the values and needs of our people. Everything I do is guided by a commitment to support the people of my Settlement—especially our children, families and Elders—with the programs, resources and respect they deserve.

I have worked for East Prairie Métis Settlement for over 15 years in an administrative capacity, gaining firsthand experience in community development, program coordination, policy work and front-line service delivery. Over the years, I’ve helped lead and support numerous initiatives that improve the well-being of our members—especially Elders, children and vulnerable families. I believe in doing the hard work, standing up for what’s right and ensuring services are delivered with integrity and transparency.

Before taking on my current role, I spent 10 years as a Wildland Firefighter and two years with the RCMP. These roles demanded strength, discipline and compassion—qualities I still bring into every aspect of my work. They taught me the value of protecting not only people but also land and culture, most importantly—how to listen and respond with purpose. They also reinforced my belief that strong communities are built from the ground up, through action, not talk. I carry those lessons with me in my current work every single day.

As a Métis woman, my identity is rooted in the land and our traditions. Everything I’ve learned about the land—how to respect it, live with it and protect it—I’ve learned from the men in my life, especially my father and brothers. They taught me how to hunt, trap, read the land and care for animals. They passed on the values of hard work, humility and stewardship that I still live by today. I’ve always had a deep connection to nature and a strong respect for all living things. I care for injured or abandoned wild animals when they come across my path, raising them with the goal of releasing them back into their natural environment. That sense of stewardship carries into everything I do—whether I’m advocating for families, designing community programs or helping preserve traditional knowledge.