
Shelley Cook
Columnist, Manager of Reader Bridge project
Shelley is a born and raised Winnipegger. She is a proud member of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.
In 2011 Shelley graduated (for the first time in her life!) from Red River College’s Creative Communications program. It was a milestone moment for the two-time high school dropout who took a chance on post-secondary education as a mature student at the age of 28.
This was an opportunity that changed her life, and one for which she is so grateful.
While stumbling around the University of Winnipeg for two years, dabbling in a number of different courses, Shelley started volunteering at Winnipeg Harvest (now known as Manitoba Harvest). There she met many wonderful people who made an impact on her life, including Donald Benham, a former journalist, city councillor and journalism instructor, who encouraged her to apply for the Creative Communications program, thus helping her find a career path that seemed to fit.
Shelley was the first recipient of the John W. Dafoe Free Press scholarship for Aboriginal students in 2009. This scholarship led to her first newsroom experience. She enjoyed a work placement at the Winnipeg Sun in 2010 to 2011 and spent the summer after graduating CreComm as a reporter for the Portage Daily Graphic in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Shelley’s other notable work includes covering the 2014 JUNO Awards, concert reviews and a weekly Mix of Six column for Metro Winnipeg.
From 2012 to 2021, Shelley worked in marketing and communications at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries as a social media coordinator.
Shelley is a mom and stepmom of three as well as a companion to two rescue dogs. She and her partner Chris co-parent and raise their kids with Donna, her stepkids’ mom.
Shelley has always been a good storyteller, a trait she likely inherited from her dad, one of the most engaging and interesting storytellers of all time. She tries hard, though she makes a lot of mistakes. Thankfully, making mistakes is a good way to learn and to grow and to try to be better. It also usually always leads to something interesting to write about.
Shelley still gets excited to see her work published in the Winnipeg Free Press. Having a column has been a dream come true.
Recent articles of Shelley Cook
Women Talking evokes rage, humour and hope with its powerful script, brilliant acting
10 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023Friendship keeps all afloat navigating life’s waves
3 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 23, 2023There is something to be said about those types of friendships when you click with someone and form that special kind of relationship that doesn’t wilt and wither away with time or space.
Volunteer provides food, blankets, comfort to homeless
5 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 16, 2023‘Pretendians’ rob Indigenous people of jobs, opportunities
3 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 16, 2023Find something to be grateful for every day
4 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 9, 2023I started using an app to track the best parts of my day.
Making a present of the past
9 minute read Preview Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023Take time to celebrate all things great and small
4 minute read Preview Monday, Jan. 2, 2023Here we are, at the start of a new year, and although I don’t usually make resolutions, I tend to get nostalgic when the ol’ calendar changes. It always feels like a clean slate and just another day all wrapped into one.
What time is it? Borrowed o’clock, I’m afraid
4 minute read Preview Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022There is this scene in the 2005 finale of the HBO show Six Feet Under that I think about often (spoiler: I am going to say something about it — if you haven’t watched the series and it’s on the to-watch list, maybe don’t read on).
Gift of permission to say no this season
4 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 19, 2022We are so close to Christmas, and I am not ready. At least, I don’t feel like I’m ready.
(Hand)making a difference
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022A new name for ongoing good work
5 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 12, 2022Why do Indigenous women have to beg the rest of Canada for dignity and justice?
4 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 9, 2022Program’s stunning success putting, keeping Indigenous families back together
5 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 5, 2022More memories, less stuff this holiday season
4 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 5, 2022Here we are, it’s December already. How’d we get here so fast and how did it get so busy?
Christmas hamper ‘team effort’ labour of love
5 minute read Preview Monday, Nov. 28, 2022Making a pitch, building connections
4 minute read Preview Monday, Nov. 21, 2022An easy, but meaningful, change that helps us all move forward
4 minute read Preview Monday, Nov. 21, 2022Last week I read that the Girl Guides of Canada will be changing the name of Brownies — the branch for seven and eight year olds — because they’ve learned from racialized groups and former members that the name is harmful.
Sharing is caring, but when is it too much on social media?
4 minute read Preview Monday, Nov. 14, 2022When I had my child, I had an overwhelming desire to share her with the world.