Community Service

I have been actively involved in the Mi’kmaq community since the late 1990s when my Indigenous ancestry became known after years of community and familial suppression stemming from histories of discrimination, exclusion, and erasure on the island of Newfoundland.

My personal and professional involvement within the urban Indigenous community of Tkaronto has been one of many gifts. To learn and grow with a group of people who have rich lived experiences within a space where you do not only listen but where you are also heard. From Indigenous Board of Directors to ceremonies or community events, my continued involvement with the urban Indigenous community of Tkaronto has encompassed relations to reciprocity, inclusion, and respect.

My doctoral studies have allowed me to expand my web of relations to include the Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Tuscarora nations of Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory—furthermore, the Michi Saagiig (Mississauga Anishinaabeg) of Curve Lake First Nation. The relations are not static but are continually expanding, developing, and nurtured.

Local and National Committees

National Indigenous Accreditation Board (NIAB): Social Work Education Circle

Member Since 2023 - Present

The process of accrediting social work education programs is managed by the Social Work Education Circle (SWEC), a national body with representation from a variety of treaty territories, which assesses, affirms, and supports social work education programs. The activities related to the assessment of social work education programs are grounded in NIAB’s commitment to the healthy growth of dynamic education programs that are responsive to community needs, locally controlled, and rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.

Thunderbird Circle: Indigenous Social Work Educators’ Network

Member Since 2018 - Present

The Thunderbird Nesting Circle is a collective of Indigenous social work educators and students representing the interests of Indigenous families, communities, and nations across Canada. Moreover, dedicated to contributing and centring Indigenous voices in social work educational development and delivery in Canada.

Indigenous Friends Association

Board of Directors

Term: 2019-2025

The Board of Directors is accountable to members and their families, the community, funders, and other stakeholders. By connecting Indigenous students with peer support and offering internal and external resources available in the educational setting and surrounding areas, students can access information on resources for Indigenous Peoples on campus, peer-support networks, and traditional counselling and Knowledge Keepers. Furthermore, the Board is responsible for the Association’s performance in realizing its mission and achieving its goals, as well as for effective stewardship of financial and human resources.

Alternatives for Youth Director

Board of Directors

Member Since 2025 - Present

The Board of Directors at Alternatives for Youth (AY) is responsible for ensuring strong governance and advancing AY’s mission to support youth struggling with substance use. Responsibilities include providing strategic leadership, approving and monitoring the budget, reviewing policies and by-laws, overseeing the Executive Director’s performance, participating in board and committee meetings, supporting board recruitment, and staying informed about community issues that impact AY’s ability to fulfill its mission.

Native Men's Residence

Board of Directors

Term: 2019-2023

The Circle of Directors is responsible for Na-Me-Res's strategic focus, policy direction, and financial health, ensuring that programs have adequate resources and are consistent with the mission and values. Moreover, the vision is that everyone deserves respect, consideration, and care, regardless of circumstances. That belief drives the compassion and dedication of the Na-Me-Res team. The Circle of Directors recognizes all staff and volunteers who help coordinate programs, manage residences, and devote long hours to end homelessness and meet the needs of the Toronto Indigenous community.

Research

My primary research focuses are critical Indigenous studies, urban Indigenous identities, colonial and decolonization theories, Indigenous research and knowledge methodologies, and Indigeneity. My research program was initiated by my curiosity about identity formation and maintenance in relationships with those who are also influenced by tactics of settler-colonialism, where navigation and negotiation of spaces and places based on dominant measures are all too common. Moreover, most, if not all, of my research projects, are based on or influenced by community work or my previous master’s research, Are You Native Enough? An Analysis of White Passability Among Indigenous Peoples in an Urban Context, which focuses on the exploration of the colonial interference imposed onto Indigenous identities through forced removal and assimilation and unearthing ways in which healing can create personal and cultural sovereignty.

Doctoral Research

Supervisor: David Newhouse
Working Title: The Resurgence of Indigenous Online Identities & Communities

Working Abstract: Contemporary struggles with Indigenous identities in Canada are deeply rooted in the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, which have left profound and lasting effects on different geographical regions across the country. These struggles are multifaceted, encompassing complex questions surrounding who qualifies as Indigenous and what criteria are used to authenticate claims of Indigenous heritage.

In the modern era, the digital landscape has become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionizing how we interact with the world around us. Digital spaces, including the vast expanse of the Internet, various social media platforms, and mobile applications, have transformed how we communicate, conduct business, seek entertainment, and share information. These virtual environments offer unparalleled opportunities for connectivity, collaboration, and the exchange of resources and ideas.

Within this digital realm, social media platforms have emerged as powerful tools for self-expression and exploration of identity. Individuals increasingly use these platforms to delve into the complexities of their identities, including their intersectionality and connections to specific geographic locations. Research has shown that this exploration often leads to a reclamation and revitalization of Indigenous identities, serving as a form of political resistance against the ongoing legacies of colonization. Through social media, Indigenous individuals and communities are able to reclaim their voices, assert their autonomy, and challenge dominant narratives.

This research delves into how digital spaces, mainly the social media platform of TikTok, shape Indigenous identity formation, maintenance, and resurgence. By employing a mixed-methods approach, this study analyzes various dimensions of this phenomenon, including the role of storytelling, community building, and cultural expression in digital spaces. Moreover, the research explores how these digital platforms can empower Indigenous communities to reclaim, revitalize, and reconstruct their identities and notions of community. Ultimately, by examining the impact of digital spaces on Indigenous identity, this research provides valuable insights into contemporary practices of identity revitalization and proposes strategies to support Indigenous futures in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

This research used the Medicine Wheel, adapted from the research of Dr. Kathleen E. Absolon, Anishinaabekwe from Flying Post First Nation, in her article Indigenous Wholistic Theory: A Knowledge Set for Practice, as a framework to explore the dynamic interplay between Indigenous identity and the digital age. It highlights how each quadrant—East (birth and rejuvenation), South (relationships and advocacy), West (challenges and resilience), and North (wisdom and healing)—provides unique insights into the cultural preservation, self-discovery, community engagement, and integration of traditional knowledge with modern technology. Indigenous communities leverage digital platforms to rejuvenate cultural practices, foster relationships, advocate for social justice, and empower their voices while navigating the complexities of online spaces and ensuring cultural authenticity.

The findings emphasize the transformative potential of social media in preserving and revitalizing Indigenous cultures, advocating for critical issues, and empowering different generations. Ethical engagement in digital spaces is crucial, as well as promoting cultural respect and addressing historical injustices. The research underscores the importance of balancing traditional values with modern technology to foster resilience, empowerment, and holistic well-being within Indigenous communities.