Born at Muskowpetung First Nation on April 8, 1937 Bernelda was a member of the George Gordon First Nation. Bernelda Wheeler was a broadcaster, journalist, author, poet, actor, and social activist best known for hosting Our Native Land on CBC Radio for a decade. As a residential school survivor she spoke out about her experience of abuse and against the violence of boarding schools in Canada. She was an active member of Grandmothers for Justice, as well as a founding member of the National Association of Friendship Centres, a service organization that provides many services including culturally enhanced programs to urban Indigenous residents.