We are so pleased to welcome Nancy Parker to Réseau Network Compassion as a Senior Project Manager, with a special focus on reconciliation and network culture. She was most recently the CEO of Marymound for eight years. In this month’s From the Heart, Nancy shares her reflections on all those who helped her grow in her understanding of reconciliation, as an ally and as a member of her community.
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“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Born and raised in Winnipeg, I left to pursue music therapy in the United States. I met and married an American and spent close to thirty years living in the USA, mostly in the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after I returned to Winnipeg to be part of developing the new Crisis Response Centre, I had the opportunity to attend a two-day Indigenous Culture training, hosted by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. It was there for the first time I began learning about the history of the Indian Act, residential schools, and the cultural genocide of Indigenous communities and people. I experienced a seismic shift in my understanding of Canada and its history and was heartbroken.
Gradually opportunities presented themselves to start friendships with Indigenous colleagues and embark on my learning journey. I consider my first teacher to be Tecumseh, Elder Dr. Ed Connors, who invited me to be part of the First People’s Circle; a Board Committee of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. This led to being part of a national collaborative through the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI): Promoting Life Together Collaborative. That journey gifted me deep learning as I was invited to be part of a Guidance Circle, where other than staff from CFHI, I was the only non-Indigenous person working as a coach and member of the guidance group. This work was led by an Indigenous worldview, and in listening to the many Elders and knowledge keepers I was granted the privilege of witnessing work that challenged all my western based experiences. Chi-miigwech to the co-chairs Elder Bill Mussell and Carol Fancott, and knowledge keepers and Elders: Kelly Brownbill, Elder Ed Connors, Elder Albert Dumont, Dr. Carol Hopkins, Will Landon, Dr. Marion Maar, Denise McCuaig, Despina Papadopoulos, Dr. Brenda Restoule, and Mariette Sutherland.
This work coincided with the beginning of my role at Marymound. I wanted to join Marymound in large part because of the values, and two in particular: courage and spirituality. These values were not typically stated by a mainstream non-profit and my interest was piqued. It also afforded the opportunity to be in an organization that needed to be central in participating in the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, serving a large percent of Indigenous youth and offering some programs in the child welfare space, Marymound was positioned squarely in the middle of the colonial/religious actions and the outcomes for Indigenous communities and people. Never could I have imagined the deep learning that was to come my way.
When I arrived the HR Director, Stephanie Zamora, was leading a Cultural team of younger Indigenous staff, with the guidance of Grandfather Wanbdi Wakita. Suddenly I was working in an organization where I could participate in a daily smudging circle, and experience land-based teachings and activities. Over time different people filled roles on the Cultural team, all bringing unique gifts, led with the grace and generosity of Director Dawn Isaac.
Marymound’s first Elder in Residence, Elder Louise Lavallee, brought tremendous energy and wisdom to the youth and staff at Marymound. I recall in her early days at Marymound she began holding Full Moon Ceremony. There were only a few women who attended. Fast forward to today this ceremony continues to be offered with dozens of youth, staff and community members participating. I soon learnt that Marymound was and is a highly relational organization, supported by a myriad of events and opportunities to gather in community. I was invited to my first Bear Feast at Marymound school, led by Anishinabek woman and teacher, Joanne MacDonald. When I arrived at the school a group of giggling girls pulled me into the girl’s washroom. To my surprise and deep joy, they had sewn me a ribbon skirt to wear. That skirt is precious to me and made me feel so welcomed.
The experiences and learnings over the years at Marymound are too numerous to mention, and words fail to describe their impact on me as a person. I feel deep gratitude for the various elders and knowledge keepers of Marymound’s Indigenous Advisory Circle who shared their gifts and gave wise guidance.
In my final days at Marymound I was honored with a party where many kind words were shared about the exciting changes that have happened at Marymound in the past years. It felt full circle as I was gifted a ribbon skirt sewn by Elder Cheryl Thomson. I wore this beautiful skirt as Elder Cheryl led a blanket ceremony where a blanket was presented as a gift of honor and respect; the blanket representing protection, strength, and connection to one’s heritage and ancestors. As Dawn Isaac and Chantel St. Germaine wrapped me in the blanket, I felt a deep peace of having been afforded so many opportunities to be part of a wonderful journey at Marymound.
“The world is all gates, all opportunities.” Never would I have imagined when I came to Marymound that it would lead to a role with RCN to support lifting the founding values of congregations of Sisters and moving forward the Reconciliation Action Plan across the network of organizations. I look forward to what gifts are ahead in this next step of the Journey of my Heart.