Sylvia Greenaway's father is Cree and her mother is Mohawk. Ms. Greenaway's great-grandfather was the founder of the Alexander band while her grandfather was the chief for 33 years. He was the most important influence on her during her formative years; she would take dreams to him and he would teach her the way of the dream. She has a Bachelors of General Studies in Arts and Sciences with an emphasis in Psychology and Native History from Athabasca University and is currently a play therapist at the Mabel Arcand Children's Home, a group home on Alexander Reservation in Central Alberta.