Our Circle

She:kon, my name is Ro’nikonkatste (Standing Strong Spirit) Bill Hill. I am a registered social worker (RSW 811910) and a registered practical nurse (NSG HD08262) from Six Nations, currently living in London. The principles guiding my practice are Indigenous-based, wise, and person-centred. My approach to helping might be: listening and sharing, using Medicines and Ceremonies in tandem with Western treatment modalities. Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices include being a Lodge Keeper, a Drum maker, and a Shkaabewis (helper). I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: Around the Fire, Sharing Circle, Fasting Ceremony, Self Kindness and Identity Exploration.

Education: Master of Social Work, Laurier University | Bachelor of Social Work, Ryerson University | Bachelor of Education, Brock University | Registered Practical Nurse, Fanshawe College

Client base: Adults & Seniors

Availability: Contact Noojimo for Bill’s current availability

My name is Lisa Osawamick. I am a registered social worker (RSW 817224) from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory. The principles that guide my practice include wholistic, medicine wheel, universal law, seven grandfather teachings and values. My approach to helping might include CBT, DBT, positive psychology, trauma-informed, solution-focused, and motivational interviewing. Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices are Medicine, personal, spiritual, leadership and knowledge bundle.

I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: Addictions, grief, loss, depression, family violence, anger management, life promotion and wellness.

Education: Master of Social Work, Laurier University | Bachelor of Social Work, Laurentian University

Client base: Children, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors, Families, Groups

Availability: Monday, Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 p.m.

Aanii, my name is Akiesha Absolon-Winchester. I am a registered social worker (RSW 826428) from Flying Post First Nation, currently living in Waterloo Region. The principles that guide my practice are a combination of mainstream and Indigenous ways of being and knowing. My approach to helping includes Wholistic approach, Cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed, and brief or solution-focused. Some of the gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices are drum maker, a yoga teacher, and I am connected to the land. All of which hold values and teachings woven into my practice as a social worker, auntie, and sister. I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: grief and bereavement, suicide and self-harm, anxiety and depression, and sexual and gendered violence.

Education: Master of Social Work, Laurier University | Bachelor of Social Work, University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Social Development Studies, University of Waterloo

Client Base: Teenagers and Adults

Availability: Akiesha is on temporary leave effective June 30th, 2023. Contact our Office Auntie for a clinician transfer 1-833-277-5678.

My name is Sara Hotomanie. I am a registered social worker (RSW 8400630) from Zagime Anishinabek First Nation, Carry the Kettle First Nation and Katzie First Nation. I am grateful for the many different teachings I carry from all of my nations. The principles that guide my practice are Wholistic wellness based on the Medicine Wheel teachings- seeking harmony and balance, and centering ourselves, self-care, and land-based teachings. My approach to helping includes Trauma-informed, solution-focused, strength-based, wholistic practice. Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices are ribbon dressmaking and teachings, being a basketball coach, being an avid sports player, being family-centred, and volunteering with the community. I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: Crisis intervention, abuse and family violence, anxiety, child/ youth mental health, addiction, self-esteem, and trauma-informed care, with an understanding and awareness of residential school trauma and MMIWG.

Education: Master of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University | Bachelor of Child and Youth Care, Douglas College

Client Base: Children, Teenagers, Adults

Availability: Currently not available for new appointments. Please email office@noojimohealth.ca to be added to the waitlist.

My name is Nicole Yawney. I am a registered social worker (RSW 837725) from Fishing Lake First Nation. The principles that guide my practice are wholistic framework model, Traditional ways of knowing, Individual Self-determination, Social Justice, Self-care, and Heart-centered. My approach to helping includes Trauma-Informed, Strength Based and Family centered, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Wholistic Healing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices are Ribbon dressmaking, beginner beading, reading, research, baking, gardening and contributing to community events. I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: Paediatric and Youth Mental Health & Cultural Wellness in a healthcare setting, Mental health care in remote Indigenous communities, working with trauma survivors, living with disabilities, coping with chronic illness, grief, and suicidal ideation.

Education: Master of Social Work, University of Western | Bachelor of Social Work, University of Regina

Client base: Children, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors, Families

Availability: weekday evenings and saturday afternoons

My name is Jennifer Guignard. I am a registered social worker (RSW# 834519) from Z’agamok Anishnawbek First Nation. The principles that guide my practice are: My 8 Grandmother teaching with Life being the First- Honouring those who come to the Circle for niibizhaboo (tea). I braid my Indigenous knowledge with my Western knowledge to provide a wholistic way of being. My approach to helping includes: “I am a Spirited being living a Human life”- B Nootchtai Sr. I practice in a wholistic way of being, we are of Four quadrants of being – Emotional, Physical, Mental and Spiritual, as your helper, I will walk and support you as you find your Balance in your own being. It is always an honour for someone to shares their journey and space with me as I walk with them on their healing path. Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices are I have the honour to carry Indigenous teachings, I provide talk therapy, play therapy, Sand tray, drumming and songs. Mindfulness based stress reduction through Art, somatic body movements. I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: Grief, 60’s scoop, residential school survivors, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Men, Human Trafficking Children with Anxiety and seperation.

Education: Cambrian College - Child and Family Worker - 2005 Laurentian University - Indigenous Social Work - 2014 HBSW Wilfred Laurier - Faculty of Social Work - Masters of Social Work Indigenous Field of Study - 2022 Masters of Indigenous Social Work

Client Base: Children, Youth, Families and Groups

Availability: Tuesday and Thursday Daytime

My name is Brian Slegers, and I am a registered social worker (RSW #808882). After being displaced from my family during the 60’s scoop era, I spent my early years in Southern Ontario. I later returned to Sudbury, Ontario, where my biological family resides. The principles that guide my practice are kindness and compassion. I am genuine and bring lots of lived experience and many years of clinical experience to my practice. I am ethical, professional and knowledgeable. I take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. I am non-judgemental and have a gentle approach to goal-directed therapy. My approach to helping might be a mixed methods approach. I utilize evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and harm reduction approaches. Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices include: mindfulness, meditation, traditional Indigenous healing methods, stories and teaching. I also utilize traditional Buddhist teachings from the Thai Forest Tradition. Physical fitness and eating well are also practices that I try and encourage. Quieting the mind and exercising the body is one of the paths to optimal health. Physical fitness has recently been proven to be the front-line treatment for anxiety and depression.

I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: Trauma, complicated grief, addictions, couples, family relationships, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, concurrent disorders, depression, and anxiety.

Education: College Diploma in Traditional Indigenous Healing Practices 4-year honours degree in Social Work Master’s degree in Social Work Diploma from the Watpo Thai Traditional Medical School in Bangkok

Client base: Children over 8, teens, adults, seniors, couples and families

Availability: Weekdays and Weekends

My Name is Carla Petahtegoose, and my Anishnawbe Nooswin(name) is Nimkii Kwe ( Thunder Woman). My clan is Elk. I am a registered Social Worker (RSW #847564) with 16 years of experience in social work and am currently a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. I have developed training and delivered professional development seminars for teachers and Community Indigenous Organizations. The principles guiding my practice are Anishnawbe Teachings and strength-based and family-centred care: Anishnawbe Life Stages Model guide assessment and Therapy.

Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices include understanding and compassion. I can teach skills with kindness and empathy. I am connected to nature and ceremony. I am a beader in my spare time, a community member, an aunty and a mother, which helps in my practice.

I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, Child Welfare, Restorative Justice, Traditional Healing Practices, Helper, Education Secondary and Elementary, Clinical Therapy, Group Service Delivery

Education: Bachelor of Honors Degree in Indigenous Social Work

Client Base: Children, Adults, Families, and Groups

Availability: Weeknights

I am Anishinaabe, and a member of Pawgwasheeng (Pays Plat First Nation). I am a registered social worker (RSW 841012). I was born and raised in Treaty #3, on the traditional territory of Lac Seul First Nation at Sioux Lookout, Ontario.

The principles that guide my practice are the same that guide my journey through life: Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, Love. I believe approaches people use to restore and maintain mental wellness are akin to bending down by the water’s edge and bringing up nibi (water) to splash across your face in order to awaken your body and revive your spirit.

My approach to helping includes a lot of listening, asking questions, and collaborating with the person I’m helping to ensure they’re moving forward in a good way that they find helpful. I am increasing my knowledge of traditional Anishinaabe teachings and healing practices. I also carry knowledge from the Western academic world. My approach to helping is kind of like a buffet - pick and choose what looks good, see if you like it, go back for more, or try something else.

Through my own journey and cultural reconnection, I have come to understand my strong connection to water. I am fortunate to have been given some water teachings which I share with others when appropriate. I also have a deep respect for my personal journey and the hardships in life that have brought me to this point. To quote the esteemed Stephen Colbert, “I have learned to love the thing I most wish hadn’t happened in my life”. Most roads in life have potholes. It’s important to navigate safely around or through them, while focussing on the open road ahead.

I have worked in health and human services for over fifteen years. My experience comes from a variety of areas: homelessness and food security; mental health and addictions; travel; in-patient and out-patient healthcare delivery; academia; and community development.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Lakehead University 2020 Honours Bachelor of Social Work, Lakehead University 2020

Client base: Children, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors, and Groups

Availability: Weekdays Daytime

Gail Charbonneau has family roots in M’Chigeeng First Nation, where her Grandmother is from. Gail has been working with First Nation and Métis communities for over 20 years and has a passion for helping Indigenous people along their journeys. Gail is a proud ‘Nene’ to her granddaughters and is very connected to her culture through ceremony and drumming. Gail is our cherished Auntie and is dedicated to ensuring that our circle and clients feel just as comfortable at Noojimo Health as you would at home. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact Gail directly, she is extremely welcoming and would love the opportunity to find out the best way we can help you!

Dr. Mushquash is a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lakehead University and the Division of Human Sciences at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, holds adjunct status in the Department of Health Sciences and the Department of Indigenous Learning at Lakehead University, and is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. He is also the Associate Vice President Research at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Chief Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

He is the Director of the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research at Lakehead University. In addition to his academic appointments, Dr. Mushquash is a registered clinical psychologist providing assessment, intervention, and consultation services for First Nations children, adolescents, and adults at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.

He completed his pre-doctoral residency in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, specializing in rural and northern clinical practice and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in 2011.

In 2017, Dr. Mushquash was inducted in the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. He is currently the vice-chair of the Institute Advisory Board for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health. Dr. Mushquash also serves as a board member for the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). Dr. Mushquash is Ojibway and a member of Pays Plat First Nation.

Education: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Dalhousie University

Highlights:

• Canada Research Chair: Indigenous Mental Health & Addictions
• Associate VP Research, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital
• Associate Professor, Lakehead University
• Director: Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research

At Noojimo, our advisors help to guide and feed the spirit of our circle. Both professionally and personally, our advisors have combined over 50 years of Indigenous knowledge in wholistic healing and their expertise guides our overall approach to improving wellness for Indigenous people. At Noojimo, we value mentorship and our advisors provide support to create a safe and healthy environment for our circle.