Giizhigo Ikwe (Sky Woman), Pizhiw Dodem (Lynx Clan), is a proud Anishinaabekwe with strong roots and connection to her homelands at Iskatewizaagegan 39 Independent First Nation (Shoal Lake 39) where she was raised. Serena’s most rewarding learnings and achievements have come through her role as mom to Callie and Evan who remind her daily of what is truly important in life. Serena is happily married and living her best life with Calvin and their children. She enjoys participating in pow-wows, learning Anishinaabemowin, and sharing new experiences and road trips with her family and friends. Serena credits her mother for role-modeling a strong work ethic, strength, resilience, and living in kindness. Serena holds a diploma in Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention from Confederation College, a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Learning from Lakehead University, a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University, and will receive her Master of Arts in Leadership with a specialization in health from Royal Roads University later this year.
Waasegiizhig practices from a place of cultural safety. It’s a medical home for all. Waasegiizhig is that opportunity to receive care for the Mind, Body, Spirit and Heart all under one roof.
Her journey with Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig began 21 years ago, when she started as a Community Facilitator/Support Worker engaging with residential school survivors. Through them she became grounded in the huge impact the legacy of trauma has had on overall health and wellbeing. This grounding provided an excellent foundation for her next role as a Health Promoter. Taking on progressively more responsibility, Serena became a Team Lead, Acting Director of Client Services, and Program Manager before moving into the role of Acting Executive Director in 2021. Throughout her years with WNHAC, Serena has demonstrated leadership by example, and gained the respect of everyone she has encountered. She is committed to relationship-based, traditional governance and healing. Her goal is to achieve mino-bimaadiziwin through systems that are rooted in and reflect the resilience and resurgence of Anishaabe.
Melissa is Indigenous and was born and raised in Couchiching First Nations. She is a Registered Psychotherapist and holds a Master's in Counselling Psychology. Currently, she is working towards her PhD in Organizational Leadership! She specializes in trauma work, dual diagnosis and is a certified EMDR Therapist. Melissa was the first to take this role within Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe'iyewigamig and loves developing programing and implementing new programs.
Paul was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario and holds a Degree of Bachelor of Administration and is a Certified Management Accountant. Paul provides financial management to the organization, as well as infrastructure management and information on the organization's technology. He takes pride in finding new and innovative ways to improve workflow, reduce paper waste, and bridge health care gaps for our clients using technology.
April is an Indigenous nurse registered to Deer Lake First Nation, born and raised in Kenora, Ontario. She have been working at Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’Iyewigamig since her graduation from Nursing in 2007. With 13 years of direct nursing experience and 2 years as an Interprofessional Team Coordinator, she is new to the role of Program Services but is excited to embark on this new adventure. With a background in primary care, she is looking forward to shifting her personal perspective to focus on prevention.
