Sheri Gundry & Art With A Heart Inc
Sheri Gundry is a Registered Psychotherapist with CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario), and an Expressive Arts Therapist having been trained at CREATE Institute in Integrative Arts Therapy Training, and is a member of OEATA (Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association). Sheri has over 6 years experience in her practice, working both in group and individual client formats and has experience working with: homelessness, eating disorders, life stage development, identity work, life transitions, geriatric life enhancement, programming for at risk youth and young adults, youth in corrections, families and individuals on the spectrum, people with differing and exceptional abilities, life skills development, relationships, and team building. Sheri is also an award-winning practicing professional artist specializing in visual arts through a variety of mediums. Her practice is client focussed, and both attachment and trauma informed. (www.sherigundry.com)
Sheri is also the founder of Whitby based Canadian charity Art With A Heart Inc. which is dedicated to using the arts to assist and empower people in various situations of need through multidisciplinary projects and programs. We strive to recognize the uniqueness of the individual while building creativity, confidence, and self worth in an inclusive environment. Through various programs, we encourage team building and develop synergy allowing participants to explore and express their creative spirit. We aspire to challenge, encourage and equip these individuals to join in and build community with us.
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Lisa Edgar
We are so grateful to Lisa Edgar for lending her voice as emcee to The Wild Nellies event at Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Health and Resource Centre on October 21, 2018 and at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery on April 8, 2018 .
Lisa grew up in her First Nation community, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island (MSIFN). She has been fortunate to witness a great deal of positive change and community growth and development since starting to work for MSIFN in 1993. She has served as MSIFN’s Self-Government Officer, Lands Officer, Economic Development Officer, and most recently, as the First Nation Manager.
Previously, she worked for seven years in Ontario Hydro’s Supply and Purchasing departments. She also spent 13 years working for the Great Blue Heron Charity Casino (also within MSIFN territory) in the roles of Players Club Manager, and Public Relations and Communications Manager. She was recently appointed interim Chairperson for the MSFIN Board of Directors for the newly formed Economic Development Corporation, Nozhoo Nokiiyan Limited Partnership.
Lisa currently serves in a volunteer capacity as Vice-Chair of the MSIFN Donations Committee (formerly the Baagwating Community Association), a charitable arm of the MSIFN. She has also volunteered at many other organizations, including the John Howard Society, Community Living Durham North, Crime Stoppers (Durham Region) and United Way.
She has received the Native American Casino Leadership Award in 2001, and the General Motors Business Award from Durham College (DC) in 1987.
Wanda McIvor
Bojo, Hello,
My name is Wanda McIvor, Executive Coordinator of Anishnaabe Kwewag Gamig Inc., Alderville First Nation Women’s Shelter. I am an Indigenous Ojibway woman and live in my First Nation Community of Alderville. I am a Mother of one Son. I have been working at Anishnaabe Kwewag Gamig Inc. since 1996 when it was built. I lived in Port Hope most of my younger years, returning to my First Nation in 1995 when I built my first home.
The role of being Executive Coordinator of a Regional Women’s Shelter has been an awesome experience. Every day can be awarding and/or a challenge in assisting women and their children fleeing from Family Abuse. I am blessed with wonderful staff who are talented in Social Work field and are caring and non-judgemental.
(The Wild Nellies are grateful to be joined by Wanda McIvor at the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Health and Resource Centre on October 21, 2018.)
Craig Brochmann
Craig Brochmann (Little Buffalo from Enoch Cree Nation, Alberta) currently works for Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation as their Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator, previously he was employed for 10 years with Enaahtig Healing Lodge as The I am a Kind Man program facilitator and trainer for the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Centers. This program is for men who want to improve their quality of life, who want to end violence against women and who want to be a positive role model. Mindfulness and self-awareness are the foundation of the three-month program along with learning about definitions of abuse, communication, identity as a Native man, anger, stressors, coping, and self-care. This program is in its 10th year and is for men 16 and older, who want to learn about this unique program that impacts partners, families, friends, and communities.
Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin | I am a Kind Man www.iamakindman.ca
(The Wild Nellies are grateful to be joined by Craig Brochmann at the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Health and Resource Centre on October 21, 2018.)
META4 Gallery
Our Story — Meet the META4’s
META4 Gallery is Ontario’s premier destination for fine craft, original art and invigorating studio programs for all ages.
Opened in 2005 in historic downtown Port Perry, META4 Gallery expanded to a second location in Peterborough‘s busy downtown in November 2017. These two artistic hubs are owned by three artist-entrepreneurs, Jennifer Hardie, Birgitta MacLeod and Bonnie Thomson.
Website and social media links:
www.Meta4gallery.ca
Facebook: Meta4gallery Twitter & Instagram: @meta4gallery
Meta4 Gallery
200 Queen Street, Port Perry, ON
905-985-1534
info@meta4gallery.ca
164 Hunter Street West, Peterborough, ON
www.meta4gallery.ca
ptbo@meta4gallery.ca
705-874-9444
Ellen Stroud
The Wild Nellies are grateful to Ellen Stroud, the Director of Service Design and Delivery at the Oshawa Public Library, for joining The Wild Nellies event at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery on April 8, 2018 . For over 30 years she’s enriched literary arts and literacy in her community through her service at the Oshawa Public Library, Richmond Hill Public Library and the CNIB Library for the Blind. Ellen has spearheaded projects with community partners, garnering recognition and awards for OPL, including the W.K. Lamb Award for Seniors from the Canadian Library Association, the OPLA Advocacy in Action Award, and the Durham Region Art in Transition Award. In her spare time, Ellen sings with the a capella barbershop chorus with North Metro Chorus, which has won 5 International Gold Medals.
Melanie Guy
The Wild Nellies are grateful for The Denise House Development and Volunteer Manager, Melanie Guy collaborating with us for The Wild Nellies event at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery on April 8, 2018 . Born in Montreal, she’s lived in Oshawa for over 40 years. She began her involvement with The Denise House with a co-op placement in 1988, in the Children’s Program. Following this she volunteered and was hired as the Secretary in 1989. She worked in that role for 5 years, at which point she had her first of two daughters and chose to stay home to raise them. During that time she did some volunteer work again with The Denise House, and took online courses in Volunteer Program Management. In 2003 she returned to employment at The Denise House and became the Development and Volunteer Manager.
Prior to returning to The Denise House to work in 2003, she did some supply work with the Durham Catholic School Board working in offices as various schools throughout Durham, and also worked for a short while at Frontenac Youth Services.
Melanie recruits, trains, and supervises all of the Volunteers who provide friendship and support to women and children residing at the shelter, looks after our donation centre, and assists with a multitude of other tasks from cleaning and cooking to events in the community. She also does a lot of work with regards to donations, fundraising, community events, and assists with the overall management of The Denise House, and looks after the website and social media as well.
Her daughters are 24 and 20, and she has two dogs, Shi Tzu’s, Sephira and Micah. Although she doesn’t find the time often enough, Melanie loves horseback riding. She enjoys reading, puzzles, playing euchre, scrabble, movies and live comedy–returning often to visit relatives in Montreal and attend the Just for Laughs Festival.
The highlight of her days at the shelter is when a child wanders into her office, and she stops her work and spends time chatting with him or her. No two days are ever the same and while the work can be challenging and difficult at times, it can also be very heartwarming and encouraging!
You can support The Denise House by donating at Canada Helps.
Mona Blaker
Motto: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Mona is a peaceful, optimistic foodie who enjoys a good book, a good laugh, and folks who are real. And she refuses to watch the new. Mona says, “Wanna focus on your goal? Create a vision board and make your own change.”
We are grateful to Mona for leading a vision board project that united women at The Denise House and attendees of The Wild Nellies event at Robert McLaughlin Gallery on April 8, 2018 .
The Wild Nellies 