What We're About

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.

Kaitlyn (she/her) is a mixed Potawatomi and white 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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Jennifer Downie is 46 years old and is of Algonquin descent. Jennifer's

father (deceased 03/01/99) is Indigenous, and her mom is English. She was born

and raised in Toronto, but her home community is located in Kipawa, Quebec, Kebaowek First Nation. Jennifer is a mother of six - three children are grown up and on their own, and the younger three live at home. Jennifer's spirit name is Dancing Eagle Woman (Niimii Migiizi Kwe), and she belongs to the Wolf clan.

Jennifer graduated in 2017 from the Community worker program at George Brown College through their partnership with Anishnawbe Health Toronto.

She graduated last year (Fall 2020) from Ryerson University’s BSW program.

Jennifer is currently in her second year at the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash MSW-ITR program.

Jennifer's area of interest is working with Indigenous Peoples using traditional approaches to mental health and addictions.

Alina Providence is a fourth-year Child and Youth Care student at Ryerson

University where she is completing her Bachelor's degree. She aims to graduate

with a minor in Sociology, as well as a Family Supports and Community Practice minor. Born and raised in Toronto to a West-Indian father and Hispanic mother, Alina finds her cultures important to her, as she feels connected and rooted in her duality of cultures and heritage. She hopes to motivate youth to embody their cultures and ethnicities, as she finds doing so an important part of personal identity. 

Alina has worked at Heartbeatz Child Care centre as a student assistant to early childhood educators and interned at St. Fidelis elementary school where she facilitated therapeutic activities and programs. Alina also worked for the Salvation Army as a team leader, where she organized and planned a 10-week summer camp program for youth aged 7-13. There, Alina grew an interest for planning activities and organizing routines for youth. 

Through her experiences and education, Alina realized how passionate she is

about making connections with youth and supporting them in various aspects of their life. She prioritizes the perspectives and overall well-being of the children and youth she engages with, as means to encouraging a positive and healthy development. Alina aims to learn more from her peers, her colleagues at FOPT, and the youth she will embark on in her journey of CYC work.