Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Sheila North received a professional champion award from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) May 11 in recognition of her work supporting mental health and wellness initiatives in Indigenous communities.
“Ms. North was selected due to her leadership role in work to support Indigenous women and girls who have been neglected, harmed or murdered, due to their gender, their lack of power in society, and the fact that they are Indigenous,” said CCPA national president John Driscoll in a press release. “She is an example for all those who aspire to serve, to lead, and to advocate for people who are treated unjustly, especially women.”
North has also been a vocal advocate on many other issues affecting First Nations in Canada, including housing, education, employment opportunities, mental health and racism.
“It is an honour to be recognized by the CCPA,” North said in the press release. “Canadian communities have long enjoyed social services that many First Nation communities do not have access to, especially in Manitoba’s north. These supports have improved the statistics in Canadian communities surrounding mental health, emotional well-being and the negative cycles of anger and violence. First Nations cannot be expected to do more or the same with less. With all that Canada has accomplished on the world stage, it now has the chance to ensure the remote areas of this country also feel the effects of modern counselling and mental health services. It is time to spread the First World services that Canadian communities enjoy throughout Canada’s borders. I want to thank the CCPA for recognizing the importance of this work.”
The CCPA promotes the counselling and psychotherapy profession and its contribution to the mental health and well-being of Canadians and also provides counsellors and psychotherapists with educational programming, certification and other professional development.
MKO represents more than 25 Northern Manitoba First Nations.
