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. 

Maggie Stein has been a Permanent Resident of Toronto, Ontario for the past 10 years, and identifies as American having originated from South Jersey. She is an adolescent, young adult, and family therapist and helper. Maggie is completing her Master of Social Work degree this year at the University of Toronto specializing in working with individuals and families. 

She earned an honours BA.Sc in Psychology at the University of Guelph-Humber. Maggie has 5-years of experience working directly in clinical practice and indirectly through academic research with adolescents and young adults facing a variety of mental health concerns. She works from a trauma-informed and strengths-based perspective, taking a collaborative and client-centered approach when delivering evidence-based interventions for those with whom she works with, and for. Maggie has a background in cultural safety practices, attachment theory, emotion regulation, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Maggie has training and experience in delivering trauma-focused therapies, Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) amongst other mindfulness-based approaches. In delivering such services she strives to build collaborative therapeutic plans with the individual she works with to reflect and prioritize each individual’s unique lived experiences, needs, and values. As an FOPT team member, holding these principles of practice is of the utmost importance to Maggie as she acknowledges everyone’s life journey is both vastly unique and deeply interconnected..

 Jessica is a mixed Anishnaabe-settler Master of Social Work student who is currently finishing up her MSW. 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 recently assumed the role of the Youth Leaders Circle Coordinator. She facilitated FOPT’s first ever Youth Leaders Virtual Roundtable in November 2020. Any Indigenous youth leaders who are interested -- keep an eye out for the second roundtable coming up in February 2021!! 

Kruti is a South Asian female whose family originates from Gujarat, India. She is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Arts Child and Youth Care program at Ryerson University, with a double minor in French and psychology. Kruti will be pursuing a master’s degree in Child and Youth Care at Ryerson University starting September 2021. Kruti has provided individualized, in-class support to students with behavioural disorders, and intellectual disabilities. She has also developed and facilitated peer-support groups, stress relief activities, and expressive arts activities for children and youth between the ages of 6 and 22. Kruti currently provides academic and social support to marginalized students, ages 13 to 18, living in low-income communities.

Kruti is the administrative coordinator of Finding Our Power Together. In this role, Kruti supports all programs, campaigns, and initiatives of FOPT as well as engages in research and report writing. She is responsible for team coordination, task management, and organizational correspondence. Kruti is also a mentor on the mental health team, specializing in goal setting, self-care, and providing social and academic support. In her work with young people, Kruti uses youth-centered, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches. 

Megan is a recent graduate of the Child and Youth Care program at Ryerson. She is Métis with roots in Penetanguishene, ON, and also takes pride in her Scottish, French, and Irish ancestry. Megan has experience supporting youth in community, school, and outdoor education settings. She is a current volunteer with Finding Our Power Together after completing her placement here. She supports the team through resource development, mental health team meetings, as well as outreach across Turtle Island. Megan is passionate about supporting young people in building their confidence through land-based practices and animals. 

Ashlee is a student at Ryerson University. She is in her second semester of the one-year Master of Arts- Child and Youth Care program. She grew up and currently resides on the Six Nations reserve and is a member of the Onondaga, wolf clan nation. She has earned her Advanced Diploma in Child in Youth Work at Sir Sandford Fleming College and a Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth and Children’s Studies with a minor in Criminology and Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her interest in Finding Our Power Together (FOPT) began when she was introduced to it by Judy Finlay. She has been a member with FOPT since January. Most of her work in the field is focused primarily on the Six Nations reserve. She is excited to work with others from different areas to collaborate on common goals for Indigenous children and youth to succeed.

Elma is an Anishinaabe educator, from the Hollow Water First Nation located on the eastern shores of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba in Treaty 5 territory. She has been working with the Manitoba First Nations School system since 2017, where she has been part of creating a first of its kind school system embedded in Indigenous perspectives and land-based education. Elma has a Master of Education and is currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work – Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency at the University of Toronto. Elma has over 25 years’ experience working in many Indigenous communities across the nation. She developed the Growing Indigenous Families Together (GIFT Guide). The facilitator guide contributes to literacy programs for Indigenous communities in Manitoba. It is an early intervention tool to support language development and improve literacy skills for Indigenous families. Elma is passionate about Indigenous ways of knowing and building the bridge to Western modalities.

Jordyn Vaisenberg is a caucasian female with family roots in Israel and Iraq. She is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Arts Early Childhood Studies program and holds a double minor in French and psychology.  In addition, she has completed a Mental Health certificate program with Wilfrid Laurier University to gain an awareness of the appropriate resources, referrals, and responses for children who may be struggling with mental health challenges. She will be beginning the Social Service Worker program at George Brown College in May 2021 to pursue a career in the Social Work field. She has experience working with families and children in a variety of contexts and has learned the value of creating positive and inclusive environments to support individuals in reaching their full potential. She is currently providing emotional support at an emotional support chat center to individuals facing various challenges across the world. 

Jordyn is a volunteer on the FOPT team and is providing support on various projects. She joined FOPT to learn more about Indigenous cultural approaches and advocacy, in the hopes of better supporting Indigenous communities. As a positive and empathetic individual, her goal is to inspire, motivate and engage others in meaningful experiences that will make a positive difference in their lives.

 Samantha is a fourth-year Early Childhood Studies (ECS) placement student at Ryerson University, currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts along with a minor in Sociology. She was a direct entry student from George Brown College, having obtained her Early Childhood Education diploma. She works in various childcare centres as an Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) and has experience in working with children from ages 6 months to 13 years. Samantha has worked individually with children and youth with exceptionalities, has implemented numerous learning activities and conversations including a variety of cultures and traditions in multiple types of settings such as childcare, the school board, and in outdoor classroom settings. Samantha has experience in communicating with families and shares children’s ongoing development in all areas such as socially, emotionally, cognitively, spiritually, and physically. She is also a member of Conscious Minds Coop (CMC), which is a non-profit organization that centers on holistic educational and healing experiences that focuses on intergenerational learning. After her undergraduate degree, Samantha hopes to obtain her Bachelors of Education degree in order to be qualified to teach in an elementary school one day.  

 Amanda is a fourth-year student at Ryerson University in the Child and Youth Care program with interests in Criminology, Sociology, and Psychology. She has experience in planning and facilitating programs for children aged 4-17 in various educational settings. Working with young people who experience behavioural disorders, she is able to practice patience and empathy and working one-on-one with young people to meet their needs. She has a desire to get involved with advocacy work to work closely with young people and policy makers to create positive changes in society. With the Finding Our Power Together organization she hopes to apply her therapeutic approaches and advocacy skills to support and create a positive change for young people within Indigenous communities.