What We're About

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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 culture, identity, and gifts through both traditional and western education systems. Nicole holds a Bachelor's degree in Early childhood Studies with a minor in psychology, as well as a master's degree in Early Childhood Studies in which she specialized in Indigenous early childhood disability. Nicole is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Justice Education with a specialization in Indigenous Health at OISE at the University of Toronto. Nicole has over 10 years of experience working with Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities in a variety of contexts. 

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. 

For more information on Nicole, please see www.wildflowerkwe.com

Vanessa is a mixed Anishinaabe counsellor, researcher, and educator. 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 cultural and identity. 

Vanessa has been working with Finding Our Power Together in a variety of capacities since she was a placement student in 2019. Vanessa’s current role is the Building Our Bundle Program Coordinator and Mentor. Her practices include a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approach to CYC, with a focus on community-based youth practices. Vanessa specializes in working with young people around identity, emotional regulation, mental health, educational and employment goals. She uses a strength-based, relational practice and indigenous worldview as an approach to best supporting young people. Vanessa currently works as a Counsellor at kapapamahchakwew- Wandering Spirit School with TDSB.

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. 

Jessica (she/her) is a queer, mixed Anishnaabe Master of Social Work student who is currently finishing up her MSW at Ryerson University. Jessica has had previous experience working in interdisciplinary teams supporting Indigenous communities in various capacities.  She has 10+ years experience working with children and youth in several different organizations and initiatives. Jessica has also provided in-class, individualized support to children who have exceptional needs. She is competent in developing and implementing activities and workshops that are culturally specific and age-appropriate. Jessica specializes in working with young people around identity, and self-esteem, systems navigation, leadership, and educational goals. She blends strength-based practices and Indigenous worldviews in her approaches with Indigenous youth. Additionally, her approach is deeply rooted in anti-oppressive principles.  Jessica recently assumed the role of the Youth Leaders Circle Coordinator. She facilitated FOPT’s first ever Youth Leaders Virtual Roundtable in November 2020. 

Minoway Sinclair is an Anishinaabe community facilitator, decolonial consultant, and educator. She is Rainbow Trout Fish Clan and first-degree Midewiwin. Minoway was born and raised in Toronto on the shores of Niigaanii Gichigami. Her father is from St Peters Indian Settlement, formerly Peguis’ settlement in Treaty 1 territory, Manitoba, and her mother is a first-generation Settler and intergenerational Jewish holocaust survivor. 

Minoway holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and a Master of Arts degree in Indigenous Governance. Her focus in both her Master’s and doctoral work centers on Indigenous conceptions of strength, wellness and care. She is currently working towards her PhD in Social Work at the University of Victoria.

Minoway is a Mentor with Finding Our Power Together. Her approach to working with young people flows from the belief that balance among all levels of our being is key to nurturing wellness in our lives and to manifesting our hopes and dreams into our reality. Minoway engages both Indigenous and mainstream understandings of health and wellbeing. Her approaches are trauma-informed and based in strengths, desires, and both mainstream and Anishinaabe cultures and worldviews. In her work with the FOPT team, she hopes to support young people in navigating areas such as identity, communication, neurodiversity, mental health and addictions and systemic barriers, as well as in developing strategies for connecting with and manifesting healthy goals. 

Kaitlyn (she/her) is a mixed-blood (White and Indigenous) Potawatomi and Mi’kmaw woman. 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 to resistance, resilience, and revitalization.

At Finding Our Power Together, Kaitlyn works as the Administrative Coordinator. Apart from her role at Finding Our Power Together, Kaitlyn is completing her Bachelor’s of Social Work with a double minor in Philosophy and Psychology while also en route to obtaining the Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences Certificate at X University. Additionally, Kaitlyn is also a teaching assistant at X University for social work-related courses. Kaitlyn employs anti-oppressive, strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches to social work, emphasizing decolonization, Indigenization, and cultural safety. Kaitlyn aspires to provide safe and supportive environments that foster hope and healing for Indigenous youth to thrive.

Anne identifies as a third culture child who connects with the Arab culture where she was born and raised and with the Indian culture where her roots are from and she belongs as a citizen. Anne completed her Bachelor and Master in Psychology from India. She later worked as a psychometric coordinator, center assistant manager, and student counsellor in various organizations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She moved to Canada in 2019 and has worked with different organizations as early childhood educator, behaviour support worker, and youth mentor. She also volunteers as a certified listener and kid coach. 

Anne grew interested in the area of social work during her employment at a behavioral training center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which focused on trauma and healing. She was also part of the first-ever child abuse campaign in the Middle East, ”The Lama Campaign”. In 2016, she had the opportunity to work with the Kathkari tribe and visit the tribal villages in Mumbai, India. This was an eye-opening experience as she got to live with the people from the tribe and interact closely with them. During the visit she learned that it is important to first locate oneself, second understand places of connection and disconnection, and finally learn the belief and value systems when working with communities. 

Anne is in her second year of Master of Social Work, Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency program at the University of Toronto. Anne is passionate about working with children and youth. She hopes to learn more about Indigenous ways of life and the effect of colonization on individuals, families, and communities intergenerationally.