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 and community helper. She is a member of Sagamok Anishnawbek and has an undergraduate degree in Forensic Psychology and a Masters in Child and Youth Care (CYC). She is currently pursuing a Masters in Counselling Psychology. Growing up disconnected from her community, Vanessa has used her educational and personal journey as a method to explore her culture and identity. 

Vanessa has been working with Finding Our Power Together in a variety of capacities since 2019. Vanessa works as the Mentorship 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/they) is a mixed Potawatomi, Métis, and settler Two-Spirit person. Their spirit name is Heart of the Medicine. 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 Program 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 and has completed the Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences Certificate at X University. Additionally, Kaitlyn has been a teaching assistant at X University for various 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.

Megan (she/her) is a Métis woman from Penetanguishene and Drummond Island. Her ancestry also has roots in Scotland, France, and Ireland. She is on a journey to connect, thrive, and fully embrace her Indigenous identity. 

Megan is a graduate of the Child and Youth Care program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She completed her placement with the FOPT team during the 2020/2021 school year and is thrilled to be back as FOPT's Administrative Coordinator. Her experience includes supporting young people in community, school, camp, and outdoor education settings. Megan is passionate about supporting young people and empowering them to embrace who they are as they walk through life. She hopes to one day have her own practice where she can use land based practices and animals to help young people heal and connect with themselves and others

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. 

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!

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. 

Angel is a TMU Child and Youth Care Placement student at Finding Our Power Together. As an Indo-Caribbean woman, she is devoted to reconciliation, solidarity and support as a non-Indigenous ally and future CYC worker.   Angel was drawn to Finding Our Power Together through their Braided Approach to Youth Mental Health. She focused her previous research and academics on the Indigenous perspective of CYC and the suicide epidemic amongst Indigenous communities, confronting the epidemic with the belief that it is within culture and community that there is healing. She admires the work the FOPT team does and is committed to seeing connection and community make a difference in empowering the lives of young people.

Amanda Vo (she/her) is a settler woman in Tkaronto, and comes from a family of Vietnamese immigrants. Amanda is a fourth-year student attending Toronto Metropolitan University’s Child and Youth Care program. She is also pursuing a minor in Sociology.   Amanda is committed to building relationships with community members and supporting young people to feel a sense of support and community belonging. Amanda’s aspirations include pursuing a career in the non-profit sector and working alongside young people to address their housing and community needs. Her volunteering experience includes working with children and families who have experienced homelessness and precarious housing. Amanda is excited to learn from her peers and the Finding Our Power Together team.

Joanna Spyridon is a fourth-year student in the Child and Youth Care Program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Joanna identifies as a white, cis-gendered woman. She is completing her placement at Finding Our Power Together and is very excited to pursue her career in either education or social work. She is excited to gain experience advocating and supporting indigenous children and youth and learning more about Indigenous culture. 

Anna is a second-generation Vietnamese settler woman. She is completing her Bachelor of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University and spending her final year with the research team at FOPT. Anna holds a diploma in Child and Youth Work and has worked as a CYC for the past 5 years in a day treatment program in partnership with the Toronto District School Board and a live-in treatment program. Her professional journey consists of supporting youth, parents and caregivers in managing complex mental health challenges through co-regulating, counselling, treatment planning and promoting self-advocacy that reflects the young person’s aspirations and social-emotional development.   Anna encompasses a trauma informed, relational, and culturally responsive approach. She honours the process of sharing and discovery to one’s story, strengths, and ways of resilience. Throughout her journey, she’s embraced meaningful relationships and believes the role of culture, heritage, and community hold deep-rooted imperatives for connection and healing. Anna upholds decolonizing practices in both her individual and professional life and as an advocate, she aims to bring access to mental health treatment and provide equitable opportunities and services for BIPOC communities. As she eagerly transitions to FOPT, she seeks to incorporate her collective experiences and acquired knowledge into research as well as leverage research for the purpose of creating access and deconstructing systemic barriers.

Ji Eun (she/her) is a settler woman in Tkaronto, and her ethnic background is Korean. She has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Toronto and an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Studies.

Ji Eun has worked with children and families as an educator and in leadership roles for over nine years. She has a passion for early childhood education as she recognizes that a child’s early years experiences are the foundations for their development and learning. She is interested in research emphasizing the importance of early years as they are essential to a child’s future. Additionally, she would like to contribute to the early years sector, becoming more inclusive and affordable for parents. Jieun is excited to continue working as a Research Coordinator at Finding Our Power Together.

Jieun has worked with children and families as an educator and in leadership roles for over nine years. She has a passion for early childhood education as she recognizes a child’s early years experiences are the foundations for their development and learning. She is interested in research to emphasize the importance of early childhood education as an essential component of a child’s future. Additionally, she would like to contribute to the early years sector becoming more inclusive and affordable for parents. Jieun is excited to continue working at Finding Our Power Together as the research coordinator. 

Meet Lilly (CW, RSSW)! Lily is passionate about empowering youth facing barriers in their lives, education, and employment journeys. Work and lived experiences have enhanced her life and now they are priceless career tools she applies with youth and vulnerable communities. Lily ground and found her spirituality and inner peace the closer she got with her Indigenous heritage which is one of the reasons she wanted to work with Indigenous communities and FOPT. Lily graduated (with honours) as a Community Worker from GBC in 2018, currently enrolled in the BSW program (P-T), 4th year, the Community Engagement Leadership Diploma (C.E.L.D.), and winner of one leadership in social work award (2022-2023) at Toronto Metropolitan University. Lily has worked with marginalized groups finding education and career options through resume composition, mentoring/coaching interviews, and facilitated life skills. Some of her favorite’s quotes are “find your life passion and you never work a day in your life” and “develop storytelling from your resume to interviews; lived experiences are transferable/employable skills because we all are employable.” She mentored/facilitated youth groups such as the “Choices Program” during the Covid-19 lockdown at the Family Services/Jane-Hub, handled caseworker, child/family worker, home visits for vulnerable families and adults groups as well.  Anti-oppressive and Anti-discriminatory practices, Aboriginal worldviews, empathy, spirituality, motherly traits and compassion are very present in her life and career, however the lack of cultural awareness may prevent some to read her accurately. Regardless of blood or non-blood relationships Lily genuinely care for others. 

Tyana Chiblow (She/Her) is a mixed Anishinaabe and Jamaican woman and member of Mississauga First Nation. Tyana is a third-year student attending Toronto Metropolitan University’s Social Work program. As an Indigenous woman who grew up in a Western society, she looks forward to discovering more about Indigenous worldviews and her identity through her work with Finding Our Power Together, as well, witnessing the ways culture, spirituality and community can positively affect the wellbeing of Indigenous youth. Tyana’s future aspirations are to administer programs and provide resources for Indigenous families and youth experiencing hardship and is committed to expanding her knowledge on culturally sensitive and restorative approaches to practice. 

Tessneem (she/her) is a third year nursing student at TMU (formerly known as Ryerson University). In the future, she hopes to specialize in obstetrics or youth care, with a focus on mental health. She is a second generation Ethiopian immigrant who is currently completing her placement at Finding Our Power Together. Tessneem was drawn to Finding Our power Together because of their dedication to preventing suicide through sharing knowledge, spirit, and culture. She hopes that through collaboration and support, she can help indigenous youth find their power and reach their goals.