Martha is an Atikamekw woman from Manawan and a mother of three.

She has held a position at the Atikamekw Nation Council since 2017, following university studies in preschool primary education, psychology, and social intervention.

Martha had been the service manager at Asperimowin's Center for two years, a role that has allowed me to showcase my leadership and managerial skills.

Wabusk (Polar Bear Woman)

Margaret has been working in the shelter movement for over a decade. She comes to this role honestly, having experienced family violence in her own life, leading to the use of shelters in the past with her children.

Margaret's leadership is evident in her current roles as the President of NICAFV and a board member of the Aboriginal Shelters of Ontario. Her influence is felt in the initiatives she has advised on, such as the Stay or Go and a family violence worker certificate initiative, which significantly impacts the field.

Margaret's commitment to supporting the growth of NICAVF in the coming years is unwavering.

Margaret is a granddaughter and daughter of St. Anne’s Residential School survivors. She hails from Fort Albany, a small, isolated First Nation in Northern Ontario, raising nine (9) children and has 16 grandchildren.

Alissia is of Nicomen Band, a mother of five boys, including fostering two nephews.

She likes to think of herself as a cultural person, having been raised taking part in the seasonal rounds of food gatherings and becoming a bit of a native artisan. She has the privilege of learning from her mom and relatives while being self-taught in beading, basketry, baby moccasins, hand drum making, and ribbon skirts.

Alissia feels that bringing Nlaka’pamux and other Indigenous cultural knowledge to her work and professionalism contributes to the decolonizing goals of our healing nations today.

She has been working at Han Knakst Tsitxw Society for 13 years, of which 12 were as the Executive Director.

Alissia has led the team of support workers under the mentorship and partnership of House Manager Brenda Abbott.

She is currently working on getting her Bachelor of Social Work degree and hopes to transition into counselling more, as much of her previous background has been in financial management, administration, and leadership.

Alissia would like to see the Han Knakst Tsitxw Society become the beacon of supportive services for families undergoing family violence and abuse with the capabilities of educating people and empowering anyone who has felt victimized to improve their lives and move forward on their healing journey to emotional health and wellness.