Getting to know Erika Shea

Erika Shea is New Dawn’s fearless captain, moral compass, and driving force.

She is a recognized community leader and has been instrumental in some of New Dawn’s most significant projects including Eltuek Arts Centre, the Solar Garden at Pine Tree Park and other efforts toward becoming a net-zero organization, and supportive emergency and long-term housing with Eleanor’s Court and The Village at Pine Tree Park.

She is an advocate for affordable and supportive housing, harm reduction, renewable energy and climate action, the arts, food security and community health and wellness. Her work reflects a commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive communities that are both socially and environmentally sustainable.

But did you know she studied Political Science at Carlton University in Ottawa and wrote her dissertation on tattooing as a subversive act for women? Or that, as a kid, she broke her funny bone off doing gymnastics and had to have it screwed back on? Or that she knew she’d found her home when she crossed the Causeway for the first time?

We didn’t think so! 😉

Listen to Erika’s Popcorn Interview, a snappy 2-minute Q&A about favourite places, foods, philosophies and more, here.

Take a deeper dive into Erika’s early life and the experiences that shaped the person she is today, her approach to mistakes and challenges, and her love of Cape Breton Island in her Breakfast Biography interview with Information Morning host, Steve Sutherland here.