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 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. 

Vanessa has been working with Finding Our Power Together in a variety of capacities since 2019. Vanessa works as the Land-Based 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 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 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 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.

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 and Resource Development Lead. Her experience includes supporting young people in community, school, 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 is currently completing her Masters of Child and Youth Care through the University of Strathclyde. Megan 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

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.

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!

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. 

Claire is a mixed Anishinaabe educator, artist and community helper. Claire’s spirit name is Peaceful Deer Lady, she sits with Marten Clan and is a member of Rama First Nation in Williams Treaty Territory. Claire was raised in Tkaranto and spent much of her youth struggling with identity reclamation and learning to walk in two worlds - western and Anishinaabek. Claire began working with Indigenous youth in High School as a volunteer at Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School. Claire holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts with a major in History and minor in English, and recently obtained a Masters Degree in Social Justice Education from OISE at University of Toronto.   

Claire has been teaching as an Intermediate teacher at Wandering Spirit School for two years. She uses a relational approach to working with youth and teaches curriculum through Anishinaabek ways of knowing and being. Through relationship building Claire aims to support youth in finding their individual gift(s). Claire is passionate about mental health and life promotion, and became familiar with Finding Our Power Together by engaging with their skill development and activities in the classroom. As a member of Finding Our Power Together, Claire hopes to continue supporting youth to thrive and become proud Indigenous peoples who will positively impact the next seven generations to come.

Jieun (she/her) is a cis-gender woman, and her ethnic origin is Korean. She is currently a student at the University of Toronto, completing her master’s degree in educational leadership and policy.  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 a Peer Support Worker.

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.