DIRECTOR

Bearwoman, Adele (Adela) Arcand is a Cree/Mohawk woman whose life purpose is Healing and Empowerment of people in need. She has worked for the past 30 years sharing her knowledge, her healing gifts with thousands of Indigenous people across Canada.

She served as Executive Director of Education for her community for ten years prior to starting Bearwoman & Associates in 1990. Always driven by the desire to create and support positive change, Adele was instrumental in the delivery of a successful model of education recognized across the country. The model was based on traditional teachings. She helped develop curriculum and was an Instructor for Grant MacEwan Mental Health Worker Diploma Program for 3 years.

PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

Saige Arcand is a proud nehiyaw iskwew from Alexander First Nation. She is the CEO of Inspired Iskwew Personal Development Coaching serving Indigenous women & youth clients across the country. Saige is a certified Personal Development Coach, Wellness & Empowerment Workshop Facilitator and Serial Entrepreneur. As well as, a mother of two beautiful daughters who motivates her everyday to live an intentional and inspired life. It is from her previous experiences battling and learning to overcome a negative mindset, severe self-esteem issues, depression and intergenerational trauma which has inspired her to develop tools to help others create and cultivate positive life change.

NAVIGATOR

Shantel Bellerose is a proud Metis woman from Kikino Metis Settlement. Although she has lived in Edmonton most of her life she makes it a priority to celebrate her culture and attend ceremonies that spiritually fulfill her. As a natural helper, she has always been drawn to careers that allow her to make a positive impact on others. Whether it's through volunteering, mentoring, or simply being a good friend, she is passionate about lifting others up and supporting them on their journeys.

Shantel loves to laugh and live life to the fullest and in her downtime she loves to spend time with her fiance and step daughter cheering on the Oilers and taking in all that life has to offer!

OUTREACH

Gage is a proud Cree Indigenous man who has endured many struggles throughout his young life, including child welfare, poverty, abuse and addictions. Despite his difficult upbringing Gage lives to inspire those around him and create a sense of hope in the Indigenous Community. Creating music most of his life, Gage released his first single in 2019, with many more following. In 2022 Gage celebrated another huge accomplishment in releasing his own book “Lights after Life: An Urban Indigenous Hip Hop Story.” 

From a young age Gage has always shown kindness and empathy to the underprivileged and grew up knowing he wanted to make a difference. Gage has facilitated and co-facilited many youth workshops in his community, Alexander First Nations as well as other nations across Canada spreading his message of compassion. Gage continuously strives towards his lifetime goal of helping the unhoused community in Edmonton’s city streets. This led him to establish “Kohkum Sahkitowin” or “A Grandmother's Love” in English. 

“Kohkum Sahkitowin” is an initiative honouring our grandmothers by providing care and support to those who need it the most, as our grandmothers would.  With this initiative Gage provides food, basic hygienic needs, clothing, winter accessories and more to those struggling on our city streets. Alongside Heart Spirit, Gage hopes the initiative will grow to so much more as we as a team provide cultural connection, resource services and guidance to not only the houseless but those in desperate need of assistance.

ADDICTIONS COUNCELLOR

Sherri (Moon that Comes with the Morning) is a proud member of Alexander First Nations. She is a spiritual mother, kokom and aunt of Cree/mohawk decent. Sherri was able to find sobriety after 32 years of active addiction with the love and support of family, guidance from her spirit animal Grandmother Crow and the Creator's unconditional love.

Within her 15 years of sobriety Sherri was successful in obtaining her Social Work degree. Not only is this a significant personal achievement, it also allows her to give back in the interest of helping others and maintaining a clean lifestyle for herself. Sherri is incredibly grateful and honored to be the Addictions Counsellor at Heart Spirit Healing and Wellness bringing years of experience, love and understanding to those who are struggling.

OFFICE MANAGER

Shane Arcand is a proud member of Alexander First Nation. Shane is a positive thinker and puts his family first so he can build a home with unconditional love, positive attitude and honest communication. As a male in todays society Shane is making changes to help others in becoming positive male role models and leading by example. Following the 7 teaching and Bearwoman vision Shane has created a life of love kindness and support for self and others. He continues to evolve with Bearwoman and heart Spirit as this is his life's calling.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Katelyne (Kat) was born and raised in Northern B.C. and spent most of her life living in various regions of British Columbia. She loves the beauty of mother nature, reading, creating, and spending time with family and friends.

In 2022 she and her daughter, moved to Edmonton to be closer to extended family and further immerse her daughter in her indigenous (Cree) heritage. Kat's ancestry goes back to the original peoples of the Head of the Lake region in British Columbia (Sylix Okanagan). Her great, great, great grandmother Lucy Sʔimlaʔxw (Simla) settled in the Keremeos area with her husband (of the land) Frank Richter. They, along with their 5 sons, ran "Richter Ranch," establishing the very first orchard in the Similkammen Valley.

Finding a home here at Heart Spirit Healing and Wellness was a true blessing for Kat. It has not only given her the gift of continuing her own healing journey in a warm and culturally rich environment, but also the ability to help others on their own path to a more vibrant, mentally healthy and spiritually fulfilling life.