“It has always been a dream of mine to help our Indigenous peoples whilst working towards the end goal of decolonization, which is why I chose to work here. Oshki-Giizhig follows traditional Indigenous ways of living and knowing, allowing me to support our community while passing on my cultural traditions. I love that we strongly support and encourage representation in spaces. As an Indigenous woman myself, I know the lasting effects of settler colonialism, which is why I chose a field of work that helps support individuals impacted by it.”

Emiley started as a summer student before moving into her current role of Office Manager. She recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree and hopes to complete her master’s in the next few years. She is witty, caring, and extremely resourceful. She has completed her first year with the organization, introducing a fresh perspective to our company.

“I chose to become involved in this kind of work because I have a natural tendency to be a helper/mediator and I want to have a positive impact in the world. This field is the perfect intersection of those two attributes. Oshki-Giizhig is at the fore-front of reconciliatory community service work; from intake and assessment, to practice and advocacy, we are radical and loving in the work we do.”

As of May 2024, Mark has been with our organization for 8 years! He previously worked supporting adult addictions programming and youth group homes, before joining the Oshki-Giizhig team. A proud husband and father of two, Mark is kindhearted, articulate, and innovative. He has a Bachelor of Social Work, a BA in Philosophy, and is working towards completing his Master of Social Work by 2025. With his advanced written and oral communication, deep knowledge of the policies and systems we interact with, and strong problem solving skills, Mark is a great asset here at Oshki-Giizhig.

“We are, therefore I am”

“One of my favorite things about my job is having the opportunity to sit with some beautiful people who seek to learn about, and enjoy traditional Indigenous ceremonies. Seeing the pride in a participant when they receive their spirit name, or when they experience something for the first time and you can tell they feel amazing, is indescribable.”

Jaime is responsible for building, providing, and navigating cultural supports here at Oshki-Giizhig. She’s been a part of our team since September 1999, and continues to create an inclusive, culturally rich environment for our staff and participants. She is crafty, reliable, and carries beautiful and sacred teachings.

“Finding yourself and doing what makes your heart full is a lifelong journey”

“I’ve always had a love for helping people, and once I started my career at Oshki, I truly found what I was meant to be doing. What I love most about working here is the care this organization provides to both their staff and participants. All departments operate as one cohesive unit, and feel more like a family dynamic than anything else. Being guided by the 7 Sacred Teachings and offering services that are holistic truly separates Oshki-Giizhig. This place has presented me with opportunities I will forever be grateful for, and has truly helped me in my self-healing journey as well.”

Coming from large family, five of which work in health care and emergency services, Tyson has grown up wanting to give back to the community. He started at our organization as a Support Mentor back in September 2017. Seven years later, he’s gone from Assistant Coordinator, to Coordinator, and now Manager. He is joyful, considerate, and optimistic. His strong leadership skills and ability to connect with everyone around him is remarkable, and is one of the best parts of having him on our team.

“We are all on this planet together. Offer your hand, not your judgment”

“I find working at Oshki-Giizhig incredibly rewarding because it’s more than a job – it feels like being a part of a close-knit family. We genuinely care for our participants and each other, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment. Community work is where my heart is, it’s something that I have always been drawn to since I was in my teens.”

Vanessa started as a support mentor, and is now going on her sixth year here at Oshki. Her skillset is cultivated through many years of frontline and lived experience. She has built many relationships within our vast community and has in turn, applied this knowledge to uplift and serve our participants, staff, and the community as a whole. The foundation of what Vanessa does is rooted in compassion, connection, and understanding. She is empathetic, passionate, and very knowledgeable in the work she does.

“I decided to work with Oshki-Giizhig because I love helping people. I have such a big heart and I’ve always wanted to support and advocate for others, which is why I chose this field of work. I want to be remembered as someone who was caring, and made a difference in people’s lives.”

Patricia will be working with our organization for 6 years, as of October 2024. She is strong, loving, and very kindhearted. With a background in education, she is responsible for our Walking Stick Community Support Program resources, leading a restorative framework based on reconnection with all four areas of well-being (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual). She is an essential part of our team, continually inspiring others with her dedication and empathy. Patricia's commitment to fostering holistic healing and her genuine concern for every individual she works with make her a cherished member of our community.

“I chose to work at Oshki-Giizhig because it’s rewarding helping our community. The collaborative environment and shared mission here inspire me every day to give my best and support those in need.”

After over 12 years in healthcare, Sydney joined our Oshki-Giizhig team as a fresh Human Resource graduate. She is now going on her fourth year of supporting our organization by ensuring our staff’s welfare and growth through meaningful interactions and support. She is committed to a positive workplace environment and provides expert guidance on our policies and procedures. Her exceptional interpersonal skills make her effective in building trust across all levels of the organization, contributing significantly to our team’s success and morale.

“When Oshki-Giizhig was being created, an elder taught us that "participants would be our greatest teachers" I find this to be true to this day and continuously learn from our wonderful teachers!”

Eric carries the Indigenous spirit name "Red Deer Man," gifted by ancestors many years ago. He grew up in rural Manitoba then went off to study at both the Université de Saint-Boniface and the University of Manitoba, later pursuing graduate studies in peace and conflict in Europe. With experience working in the fields of reconciliation, restorative justice, and social development, Eric is deeply committed to community service. Eric serves as Executive Director here as Oshki-Giizhig – helping lead efforts to provide vital supports in the community for the past 10 years.