About Us
We are a dynamic mobile team who have specialized training and many years of experience in education, counseling and training workshops. Our team is unique in its focus on developing community capacity through long-term, culturally appropriate grassroots solutions. Our program offers traditional on-the-land healing opportunities, ceremonies, workshops, and training with Indigenous mentors.
Of utmost importance, with our combined years of experience living and working in the north, are the relationships we have with developed with others. In this sacred network of trust lies continued opportunity to build capacity and maintain healthy lifestyles in a solution-focused design.
Our approach is multi-faceted, integrated, and provides flexible points of entry. Our services include strategic tools and workshops that help develop unified quality service provisions.
Our earlier work as educators and crises counselors indicates that this approach to mental health has the potential to be both effective and economical. In addition, the education and healing support will provide a locally determined model supporting Indigenous ways of knowing.
Our Inter-sectoral framework enhances community service, addresses gaps in current mental health system and ensures sustainable solutions. The sacred trust relationships with local knowledge keepers are crucial components in healing Indigenous historical experiences.
Our Team
Marie Mihalicz, Director
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Dr. Marie Mihalicz has lived and worked in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada her entire life. Marie's published dissertation "Picking Up Our Medicine Bundles in a Modern Day Context Community Mobilization and Sustainable Mental Health Self Determination using Indigenous theory and methodology" is available through ProQuest at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.
Her work stems from an Indigenous paradigm based on building capacity through a collaborative community intervention process through collective peer leadership. This living framework and model for future use in prevention, intervention and postvention helps mobilize communities and develop sustainable holistic health solutions. Marie is a dynamic Facilitator for Certified Grief Support and Trauma Recovery, individual, group, workshops, and healing retreats and is a specialized Youth/Adult Leadership Instructor. Her creative and effective strength based counseling model is based on an Indigenous paradigm of collective, inclusive, holistic and experiential ways of knowing. |
Doug Bartake, Shareholder
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Doug is an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper through traditional Cree, Lakota Sioux and Ojibway teachings. He has over thirty years experience in addictions as a Community Development/Family Social Worker/Circle Project, and has also worked with the Government of Saskatchewan in open and closed custody facilities. Doug was a Sessional Instructor for Gabriel Dumont Institute and was one of the main contributors in the development of the University of Regina accredited Metis Certificate of Social Work Program. He taught Social Work classes as a sessional Instructor for many years with the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, now First Nations University. He recently retired from Northern Lights School Division as a Social Worker/Student Counsellor, where he developed a Critical Incident Response and Suicide Intervention program for many Northern Communities. During his years as Responsive Services Coordinator he was passionate in building a network of community connection and school/community/agency collaboration and response through prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies for Suicide intervention. Doug lives in Martensville, Saskatchewan.
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Jed Prest, Shareholder
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As an Inclusion Consultant, Jed supports the community mobilization of healing and wellness programs from the inside out . With a BEd., B.A. and Masters of Education (Special Ed), Jed has extensive knowledge and experience guiding pathways forward for lifelong learners. Throughout his career, he had seen learners of all ages burdened with grief and trauma. Jed is passionate about working with Dr. Mihalicz and team on indigenous methods to guide community mobilization towards effective healing interventions which inevitably leads to suicide safer communities.
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Angie Mihalicz, Consultant
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Angie raised her children in Beauval and has lived in the north for over 50 years. She has her B. Ed and taught high school in Beauval for 10 years. Angie instructed the Development Studies course with Northlands College over 15 years. After Angie retired from teaching she was part of a Team that provided Leadership Training across Saskatchewan’s north including Alberta and Manitoba. Angie became a T4T Adult Leadership Instructor. She developed a Youth Leadership Course and continues to be active in its delivery, along with Grief Support and Trauma Recovery retreats. She is a Reiki master and Craniosacral therapist. Angie understands the complexity of working with families and children with anxiety and believes in developing basic foundations of self-esteem, spirituality and balance through a healthy lifestyle.
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