Team bios

Gabby (she/her) is the Administrative Coordinator at FOPT. She first joined the organization as a student intern and has since taken on a variety of roles across research, mental health, and programming. In 2025, she served as Project Lead for FOPT’s community visits to Nibinamik First Nation, helping to coordinate and support meaningful connections.

With degrees in Child and Youth Care and Criminology, Gabby brings a strong foundation in trauma-informed and person-centred care. Originally from Guatemala, she was exposed to Mayan Indigenous culture from a young age, which has shaped her understanding of the importance of cultural identity in well-being and community care.

Gabby prioritizes strengths-based approaches and believes in the power of culture as a key part of identity and wellness. In her role, she ensures that FOPT’s work is rooted in relational, inclusive, and holistic care, while continuously deepening her understanding of how to support Indigenous communities in ways that are respectful, reciprocal, and grounded in community voices.

Kaitlyn (she/they) is a mixed Bodéwadmi, French, Irish, and English Two-Spirit person born and raised in Mississauga. Their Bodéwadmi ancestors, from their maternal family, are from Moose Deer Point First Nation. Kaitlyn holds a Master of Social Work from York University, a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Philosophy and Psychology, and an Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University. In addition to their academic education, Kaitlyn is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. As an Indigenous Mental Health Counsellor, Kaitlyn is a compassionate helper dedicated to supporting kin in navigating their healing journeys. In their practice, they employ anti-oppressive, strengths-based, and trauma-focused approaches to care. Kaitlyn emphasizes decolonization, Indigenization, and cultural safety in their work, ensuring that each client feels seen, heard, and valued. Their extensive training includes modalities such as Liberation-oriented therapy, Arts-based therapies, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Ego-state Therapy, Attachment-based Therapy, and Somatic Therapy, allowing them to tailor their approach to the unique needs of each individual. Kaitlyn’s work is deeply rooted in their connection to Spirit, kin, ancestors, future generations, and the Land. This connection informs their practice, allowing them to foster safe and meaningful therapeutic relationships that invite authenticity. Drawing on familial teachings and cultural wisdom passed down through generations, Kaitlyn integrates these traditions into their approach with care and respect. They are committed to creating nurturing and healing environments where Indigenous kin can thrive and be unapologetically proud of their Indigeneity.

Felicia Morin is an Anishnaabe student from Beausoleil First Nation. She lives outside of Toronto. She is entering her third year as an undergraduate student currently pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University. Opportunities within her program such as visiting a remote fly First Nation community and visiting Aotearoa (New Zealand) which were both Indigenous focused visits, continues to inspire and reinforce her journey towards reconnection to her culture. While also guiding the her passion of supporting youth who need support with mental health and substance misuse. Her goal is to pursue her Master of Social Work. She is always eager to any opportunity to further her knowledge and skills to better support people in her future work.

Lauren Harney is a settler of British, Irish, Slovak, and French descent who lives in Toronto. She holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with over a decade of experience supporting children, families, and early childhood educators. Her graduate research explored peer mentorship as a relational practice in early childhood education.

Lauren is currently a Research Coordinator with FOPT, where she supports Indigenous-led early years initiatives, mentorship programs, and community-driven approaches to education, training, and wellness.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, and being with her family.

 Nazila (Naz) Eisazadeh is a trilingual educator and researcher whose work is shaped by her social location, including her experience immigrating from Iran as a refugee during war as a child, as well as her experiences as a woman and a mother of two children. She navigates intersecting forms of privilege, including but not limited to access to higher education, alongside an ongoing commitment to equity shaped by her lived experiences across cultural, linguistic, and academic contexts. She is fluent in Farsi, Asari (a dialect of Turkish), and English, and holds a Ph.D. in Language and Literacies Education from the University of Toronto. Nazila brings expertise in early childhood education, literacy, and community-based research, with strong skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, as well as in translating and mobilizing research findings for community action and decision-making.  Within FOPT , she works as a Research Assistant, supporting data analysis, reporting, and community-informed research processes aligned with the organization’s mission to work alongside communities, center their voices, and foster empowerment in ways that are reciprocal, accountable, and responsive. Her approach to research is relational, reflective, culturally responsive, and anti-oppressive. Her goal is to continue engaging in community-based research that is meaningful and grounded in community priorities, while contributing to sustainable, equity-driven change.

Jasmine (she/her) is the Outreach Coordinator at FOPT. She recently completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University and previously completed her internship with the organization as a Mental Health Intern. Born in Barbados and raised in Canada from a young age, Jasmine carries strong ties to the Caribbean and South America, with a rich heritage that includes European, Indian, African, and Arawak ancestry. She grew up in Windsor, Ontario, on the traditional lands of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Peoples. Jasmine’s passion for supporting others is deeply rooted in the values of strength, resilience, and hard work that were passed down through her family and cultural background. Through her own journey with mental health, she developed a strong commitment to supporting youth who may be facing similar challenges, with care, empathy, and understanding. She is especially passionate about helping create safe, welcoming, and affirming spaces for Indigenous youth. Through her role, Jasmine hopes to support programming that continues to grow in meaningful ways, while incorporating the voices and needs of Indigenous youth.

Erika (she/they) grew up in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), at the meeting place between the wide-skied prairies and the rolling foothills. She holds ancestral ties to Dakota Plains First Nation and Piikani Nation through her birth parents, and was adopted into a loving Japanese and Irish family at birth. Erika pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a Certificate in Sustainability Studies at the University of Calgary and is now in their Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto.  Erika joins FOPT as a Program Assistant, eager to contribute their love and skills to the spaces where her passions intersect: mental health, land-based learning and community organizing. Her adoption story inspires her hope to create warm, healing, and community-centered spaces at FOPT for all Indigenous people looking for their place in the world. She is passionate about using the intersections of her identity and knowledge to care for the land we all call home and teach others to do the same.

Kady Daigle is an Ojibwe student from Batchewana First Nation. She currently lives just outside of Toronto. She is entering her second year as an undergraduate student, currently pursuing a double major in Business and Sociology. Her end career goal is to open her own a business one day that reconnects traditional values to the social economy. Her personal and cultural identity are deeply rooted in family, resilience, and pride in my Indigenous background. I value respect, reciprocity, and giving back to the community. These values guide the way I build relationships and approach both personal and professional opportunities. Her current position within FOPT is Program Assistant, committed to supporting the organization’s programs, initiatives, and community impact. My work aligns with these goals because I care deeply about uplifting others, creating welcoming environments, and helping people feel seen, valued, and supported. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, learning new things, being active, and exploring opportunities for growth and self-development. She is inspired by strong community leaders, resilience, and the power of people coming together to create change.

 Clara Peltier is a status off reserve member of Wikwemikoong Unceded Territory and currently living in Toronto where she's spent the majority of her life. Her work experience mainly includes working in the Toronto Urban Indigenous Community, but her personal interests include art and beadwork. She recently began working with FOPT as a Program Operations Assistant where she will support the programming department. She hopes to bring her past skills to contribute to the organization and she is excited to learn more and grow her professional skills in this new position. Miigwetch.

Michelle (she/her) is an Indigenous Latina researcher, educator, and community worker whose work centers climate justice, early childhood, and community well-being. Michelle’s identities as an Indigenous Latina woman of colour shape her commitment to social justice, cultural resurgence, and supporting young children and families—particularly those navigating inequities within education and environmental systems. She is currently completing her PhD, where her dissertation uses critical autoethnography to explore climate justice education for young children of colour in the Canadian context. With a background in research, program development, policy design, and multilingual education, Michelle has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications and has led interdisciplinary projects focused on curriculum, community-informed programming, and equity-oriented evaluation. Her work reflects her lived experience and her dedication to relational, community-driven, and culturally grounded approaches. In her role with  FOPT, Michelle supports research, program coordination, and knowledge development that uplifts Indigenous youth voices and strengthens culturally safe mental health and educational supports. Her approach is rooted in relational accountability, trauma-informed practice, and the belief that culture, language, and land-based knowledge are vital to healing and empowerment. Michelle aims to contribute to FOPT’s mission by supporting projects that prioritize self-determination, community leadership, and meaningful, reciprocal relationships. Michelle is fluent in English, Spanish, and French and brings strengths in communication, collaboration, and reflective practice. Outside of her work, she finds joy in hiking, eating good food, and spending time with her family. 

Meagan Muscat is a Métis and Ojibwe doctoral student and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) completing her EdD in Counselling Psychology at OISE, University of Toronto. As a young, white-passing Indigenous woman, she recognizes the privileges associated with her social location and graduate education alongside her responsibilities to Indigenous communities. Her experience spans Indigenous mental health research, clinical practice, community engagement, and student leadership. Her work focuses on Indigenous mental health and wellbeing, cultural identity and reclamation, and holistic, community-based approaches to healing. As a Research Assistant with FOPT, Meagan brings a relational, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded approach to her work. She hopes to contribute to FOPT's commitment to Indigenous youth wellness and community-led healing while learning from the youth, families, communities, and knowledge systems that guide the organization. Her goal is to strengthen her community-based research skills and contribute to meaningful and culturally relevant approaches to Indigenous mental health and wellbeing.