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: Weekday evenings

Please note: Akiesha will begin her maternity leave as of July 2023

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

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.