FINDING OUR POWER TOGETHER - Key Persons
Arlene Hache is a grassroots woman who has experienced homelessness and traumatic impacts of childhood violence. She currently sits as a member of the National Poverty Council. Arlene founded, and over two decades, led an urban-based family resource centre that provided support to marginalized women and their families, the majority of which were Indigenous. She is well-known across Canada's Arctic as an advocate for social change and in recognition of her work was awarded the Order of Canada in 2009 and then the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Of equal importance, Arlene was honoured with a Star Blanket ceremony guided by Wisdom Keepers and hosted by Keepers of the Circle, an Indigenous Hub in Northeastern Ontario. Arlene is a published author and has participated on several research teams that give voice to people with lived experience.
Cecile Akiwenzie-Martin is an Ojibway First Nations woman of the Turtle Clan originally from Neyaashiinigmiing and married into Mohawk tradition, currently residing in Six Nations of the Grand River First Nations Territory. Cecile is also a mother, a Nokomis, a Lodge Conductor, a Sundancer, an Aboriginal Midwife, RPN, Reflexologist, Aromatherapist, Artist and Entrepreneur. Cecile has received their Spirit name (Manitou Waabshki Mshkiniinh), completed my first strawberry fast, received songs, sundanced in South Dakota and was trained to conduct the Sacred Grandmother Full Moon Lodge. Upon completion, Cecile received a Sacred Pipe for the lodge all under the instruction of the Late Frank Ewart Settee. Cecile has now over 20 years of experience and training in various areas of health and well-being work, providing services to families and people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Chelsea is a mixed Mikmaw educator from Brampton, ON. She is a member of Eel River Bar First Nation in New Brunswick. She studied Sociology at Queen's University and continued her education at Wilfrid Laurier University where she completed her Bachelor of Education. Chelsea has just completed her first year of teaching at K pap machakwêw - Wandering Spirit School and is finding ways to support other Indigenous youth in the Toronto area and outside communities. Chelsea is continuing to work towards furthering her connection to her Indigeneity through these experiences.
Emma is the Mental Health Program Assistant at Finding Our Power Together. She is a white settler on Turtle Island and comes from a family of European and South American immigrants. Emma identifies as a white queer cis-woman. She is a BSW student at X University and holds a diploma in Social Service Work from George Brown College. She has Show More Emma is the Mental Health Program Assistant at Finding Our Power Together. She is a white settler on Turtle Island and comes from a family of European and South American immigrants. Emma identifies as a white queer cis-woman. She is a BSW student at X University and holds a diploma in Social Service Work from George Brown College. She has experience working with those who are underhoused as well as experience working with those who have mental health and substance use/abuse issues. Emma will attend the University of Toronto in the fall to start her master's degree in social work. Her practice areas of interest are working with those who have mental health and addictions issues, working with survivors of IPV as well as working with children and youth. Emma is keenly interested in mental health issues and suicide prevention. As she understand from personal experience how hard it is to lose someone to suicide. She understands that the aspect of culture is so crucial to feeling a sense of belonging. As a queer woman she struggled with lacking a feeling of belonging until she found the queer community at her high school. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to feel connected, feel like they belong, and feel that they are valued and important. She thinks that her beliefs align well with the vision of Finding our Power Together as suicide prevention starts with helping others find the power within themselves. Show Less
Jasmine Ehret is a Cree Metis woman from British Columbia. Jasmine has worked within the school district as an Aboriginal education worker in British Columbia where she assisted youth with their education needs and provided social support. She has her undergraduate degree in social work and is currently a master of social work student at X University here in Toronto. Jasmine comes from a family of educators and mental health providers and is proud to continue the family tradition. Jasmine is working toward becoming a clinical therapist specializing with Indigenous participants. She is researching Indigenous ways of knowing and traditional healing practices within counselling. Jasmine believes culture is key when assisting Indigenous participants on their wellness journeys. Jasmine is a new addition to the Finding Our Power Together team and is excited to explore her new roles which include mentorship and research!
Judy Finlay is an associate professor and graduate program director in the Faculty of Community Services at Ryerson University and has been a faculty member in the School of Child and Youth Care since 2007. She is currently the co-chair and principal investigator of the Cross-Over Youth Project, which is designed to learn ways to interrupt the trajectory of youth in the care of the state from entering the youth justice system. Finlay was the longest standing child and youth advocate in Canada and was Ontario's chief advocate from 1991 to 2007. She has worked for more than three decades in the areas of child welfare and children's mental health.
Kaitlyn (she/her) is a mixed Potawatomi and settler womxn. Through cultural resurgence, Kaitlyn has been unapologetically embarking on a decolonizing journey through the revitalization and reclamation of traditional ways of knowing, being, and doing. Throughout her journey of self-rediscovery, Kaitlyn has found her passion and is devoted
Kelsey (she/they) is a mixed Métis, Innu and white womxn. Kelsey grew up disconnected from her Indigenous identity and is on a journey of decolonization and revitalization of her Innu and Métis roots. Kelsey finds pride within her two-spirit identity and is passionate about the intersectionality of Indigenous identity, two-spiritedness an Show More Kelsey (she/they) is a mixed Métis, Innu and white womxn. Kelsey grew up disconnected from her Indigenous identity and is on a journey of decolonization and revitalization of her Innu and Métis roots. Kelsey finds pride within her two-spirit identity and is passionate about the intersectionality of Indigenous identity, two-spiritedness and feminism. Kelsey is in her third year of the Bachelors of Social Work program at X University, she is completing her placement at Finding our Power Together. In addition, she is working towards obtaining the Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences Certificate at X University. Over the years, she has worked alongside various Indigenous-led organizations that advocate for Indigenous communities, amplify Indigenous voices and empower Indigenous peoples to find pride and power within their Indigenous identity. Show Less
Laurie is a mixed Anishinaabe and Irish woman from Toronto and is a member of Dokis First Nation. She studied Music at Wilfrid Laurier where she played saxophone, and then went on to earn her Bachelor of Education at York University in the first cohort of their Waaban Urban Indigenous Education program. Laurie now works at K pap machakwêw - Wandering Spirit School teaching Land-Based Learning and Physical Education.
Mathieu Beaulieu (he/him) is a mixed-Anishinaabe mental health professional and helper from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Mathieu has a Bachelor of Social Work degree with minor in Indigenous Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Social Work from University of Windsor, and currently works as a Child & Youth Counsellor supporting the wellbeing of Indigenous students within the education system. Over the past seven years, Mathieu has been on a journey towards reconnecting with his Indigeneity through both personal and professional exploration. Outside of work, Mathieu is either listening to old school hip hop, watching Netflix with his partner and dog, or golfing. One of Mathieu's goals is to create an Indigenous golf fashion company that focuses on growing the game of golf in Indigenous communities.
Nan McLeod is an Anishnaabeg Queer Adoptee from Neyashiingimiing; where the land is surrounded by water on three sides, she currently takes up space on the traditional lands of the Anishnaabeg & Haudenosaunee peoples but calls Tkaronto home.
She spent her early years in the child welfare system, assimilated through non indgenous foster families never knowing that she was being disconnected from her indigeneity & community. She had no idea that the effects of colonization, systemic racism & oppression would impact & change the course of her adult life (and that of her childrens) in the way that it has.
It's only been in the past couple years that she's been decolonizing & reconnecting with her cultural roots that she's even understood what intergenerational trauma is & what that meant for her & her children.
Nan has been a Support Worker (DSW/PSW/EA) with over ten years of experience providing safe, quality & compassionate care specializing in developmental disabilities, person centered planning, behaviors & inclusion.
When it comes to care & support of each person she believes in setting up for success with reachable goals & engaging in processes, sensory & natural textiles while focusing on the journey rather than results. Creating safe, accessible programming using natural spaces supported by intentionally designed physical spaces is an important & key component for engagement, connection, a sense of belonging & community.
Nicole Ineese-Nash is a mixed Anishinaabe educator, researcher, and community helper. Nicole's spirit name is Strong Beautiful Wildflower, she sits with the bear clan and is a member of Constance Lake First Nation in Treaty 9 territory. Growing up in Toronto, Nicole has spent much of her life trying to develop her understandings of cultur
Nicole is a co-founder and the director of Finding Our Power Together. In this role, Nicole oversees all programs and initiatives of FOPT as well as supports facilitation and mentorship directly with youth. Nicole also works as a research associate and contract lecturer at Ryerson University in the schools of Early Childhood Studies and Child and Youth Care and will begin as a cross-appointed Assistant Professor in July 2021. Nicole specializes in working with young people around identity, parenting, systems navigation, leadership, and educational goals, as well as supporting the development of community-wide initiatives and programs. She blends personal narrative, relationally-based practices, and Indigenous worldviews in her approaches with Indigenous youth.
Nyle is an Anishnaabe artist, storyteller and Oshkaabewis (Traditional Helper) from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. His art depicts the interconnectedness of all living things and incorporates teachings based on traditional knowledge. Nyle has worked on numerous projects supporting community organizations such as Anishnawbe Health Toronto, 7th Generation Image Makers, Chippewas of Nawash Health Centre, TakingITGlobal, Canadian Roots Exchange, Lower Simcoe Underpass Mural Project, Bold Realities Project, Sketch Toronto and Inkdigenous Tattoo Studio and Gallery. His work draws inspiration from woodland painters, Storytellers and the traditions of his Anishnaabe culture.
Vanessa is a mixed Anishinaabe counsellor and community helper. She is a member of Sagamok Anishnawbek and has an undergraduate degree in Forensic Psychology and a Master's in Child and Youth Care (CYC). Growing up disconnected from her community, Vanessa has used her educational and personal journey as a method to explore her culture and identity.
Yesmin Vega Is a fourth-year student in the Child and Youth Care program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is a queer Hispanic woman and her background is Uruguayan. Yesmin's goal is to be an advocate for mental health awareness and promote youth resilience. Yesmin is looking forward to doing her placement at Finding Our Power Together in supporting Indigenous youth to achieve their goals and thrive and learn about Indigenous cultures and values.