Member of Glooscap First Nation in Nova Scotia, Lorraine Whitman (“Grandmother White Sea Turtle”) is one of 14 siblings (seven brothers, six sisters) of the late Chief Joseph Peters and Elder Doris (Brooks) Peters. She is also a granddaughter of the late Chief Louis Peters of Bear River.
Since graduating with honours from the University of Alberta’s Grant McEwan College Rehabilitation Practitioner program, Lorraine’s career has focused on health care and healing. Early in her career she developed, implemented and evaluated personal and educational programs for individuals with physical needs and challenges in Edmonton-based schools, workplaces and social environments. Upon returning to Nova Scotia in 1987, she worked for 23 years as a social development officer for Glooscap First Nation. In 2009 Lorraine attended Yellowquill Community College where she specialized in the Aboriginal Diabetes program and was chosen as the valedictorian of her class. In 2010, Lorraine was employed as the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative Coordinator for Glooscap First Nation.
Lorraine served Glooscap First Nation as an elected councillor from 1997–2012, sat on the Board of Directors of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq for more than 15 years, served as a health committee member for the Tripartite Forum for more than 10 years and was the Mi’kmaq representative on the Annapolis Valley School Board from 2000–2003. She also developed The Fair Trade Seven Sacred Teachings Coffee roast blend for Just Us! Coffee, with a portion of the proceeds directed toward select Indigenous programs.
In 2017, Lorraine was elected President of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association. Her other accomplishments include becoming an Elder for Acadia University, she was a Mi’kmaq Language Advisory representative in 2020 and she received the Nova Scotia Volunteer Award in 2019 for her passion to influence positive change for women’s rights, youth education and indigenous issues. She speaks at numerous events, representing her community with pride, to share Mi’kmaw culture with others. For more than 25 years, she has held a volunteer role in her community as a planner, organizer, speaker and leader.
She has volunteered for 4H clubs, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls events, Sisters in Spirit initiatives, and Girl Power programs. She models respectful behaviors, shares traditional teachings, and empowers members to reach their greatest potential.
Over the years, Lorraine has volunteered at the Windsor Exhibition, informing others about the Mi’kmaw culture, heritage and ceremonies in her territory. She has participated with her younger sister Darlene in the Commemoration of our Sisters in Spirit over the past 11 years and has led various Mi’kmaw cultural events including porcupine quill demonstrations, talks, singing and drumming.
Lorraine was elected President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) in September 2019 which is a position she held until 2022. Lorraine was recognized in 2020, October 1st Treaty Day with the Grand Chief Marshall Elders Award and currently sits as a member of the Mi’kmawey Debert Elders Advisory Council and was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025.
Lorraine is married to her husband Thomas for 41 years and has raised their beautiful daughter Zabrina according to Mi’kmaw culture and traditions. Lorraine is an artisan and volunteers at her local church. Lorraine was also a recent recipient of an Honourary Doctrine in Humanity from Acadia University in May of 2022 and receipt of the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Platinum Medal in 2022. She splits her time between her career, speaking, raising awareness of Mi’Kmaq culture and heritage to the general public, volunteering at local elementary, middle, high and secondary schools mentoring youth and girls, empowering them to reach their full potential while facing barriers and challenges in their lives. She quotes “The passion for the Indigenous people is where I follow my heart.”