Ouelett-Martin, Catherine oral history interview

Catherine Ouelett-Martin was the first executive director of the Fraser River Discovery Centre in New Westminster. In 1989, Ouelett-Martin moved to New Westminster from Quebec. She studied English at Douglas College and then transferred to Simon Fraser University to complete her bachelor’s degree in history. Afterwards, she completed a post baccalaureate certificate in public history, as a step towards a career in museums and archives. She did a variety jobs and volunteered with museums in the Lower Mainland. In 1997, she landed a job at the Delta Museum and Archives, and worked there for 10 years. She has been working at the Fraser River Discovery Centre since the fall of 2008. The Centre’s mission is to be an advocate for the Fraser River by educating and informing visitors. Ouelett-Martin describes her role as giving “soul” to the Centre. Throughout the interview she describes the responsibilities of the executive director of the Fraser River Discovery Centre, the process of planning and executing the Centre’s exhibitions, and speaks enthusiastically about her work and the “working” Fraser River.