School of Native Human Services
Faculty and Staff Biographies
Director/Assistant Professor
Dr.Taima Moeke-Pickering,PhD.(Waikato University NZ)
Dr.Taima Moeke-Pickering is a Maori of the Ngati Pukeko and Tuhoe Tribes from Aotearoa - New Zealand. She is an Assistant Professor in the School of Native Human Services (Social Work) at Laurentian University. Her passion lies in research and exploring determinants of culture that strengthens communities. An advocate for the development of Maori-based and indigenous education programs, she was a key developer of the first Maori Counselling bachelor degree in New Zealand. This degree program embraces Maori theories and models of practice, and established new standards for counselling responsibility with Maori peoples. Taima was the first Head of School of Te Toi-a-Kiwa School of Maori, Pasifika and Indigenous Studies at Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology). Her doctoral thesis was focused on decolonization as a social change model examining case studies of Indigenous-based programs based in Aotearoa and Canada. Taima has participated in a number of research projects with the intent to highlight Indigenous worldviews. She worked on a collaborative research project with Laurentian University professors which explored the notion of decolonizing methodological approaches that recognize, respect, and honour Indigenous epistemologies as foundational to research.
tmoekepickering@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext 5083
Fax: (705)675-4817
Office: Arts Building, Room 301 A
Assistant Professor
Susan Manitowabi. B.S.W. (Laurentian), M.S.W. (Toronto) Ph D Candidate (Laurentian)
Susan has been a professor in the Native Human Services Program since 2003. Susan is Anishinawbe-Kwe from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve and was raised in Wiigwaaskingaa (Whitefish River First Nation). She has two degrees from Laurentian – BA in Sociology (1980) and an HBSW in Native Human Services (2002); a MSW with a specialization in Policy, Organization and Community Development (2003) from University of Toronto and is currently working on her PhD in the School of Rural and Northern Health at Laurentian. Her doctoral work focuses on mental health policies, programs, and best practices for Native communities, as well as the integration of traditional healing approaches in mental health service delivery. Her research interests include, Aboriginal Mental Health, Aboriginal Child Welfare, Culturally Appropriate Consultation and Research Methods, Aboriginal mental health policy development and community development.
Having worked in First Nations communities, specifically in the addictions and mental health fields, she is familiar with the issues facing Aboriginal people and continues to work towards improving their situation.
Susan began her career in the social services field as Prevention Manager with Ngwaagan Gamig Recovery Centre in Wikwemikong, Ontario. In addition to managing the Prevention Program, she assisted in the development of the Alcohol Management Policy, managed the Employee Assistance Program and was a member and chair of the Health Care and Social Services Providers.
Following this, she accepted a position at Northeast Mental Health Centre (Formerly Network North) where she provided management, supervision and consultative services to the First Nations Mental Health Programs. While employed with this organization, she has had many roles - a Clinician with Nadmadwin Clinic, a Clinic Manager for both Nadmadwin Mental Health Clinic and West Bay Mental Health Clinic, a researcher for the Mental Health Development Initiative and a First Nations Community Development Officer. A major accomplishment while with this organization is the development of a First Nations mental health policy and procedures manual. She was also a member of the Sudbury and District Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team.
While working on her MSW, Susan completed a placement with the Ministry of Community, Family and Children’s Services – Toronto Region where she was involved with process for Designation of an Aboriginal Child Welfare Agency, she served as a member of the CAS Designation Project Team, the Strategic Planning Task Group for Children’s Residential Transfer Payment Agencies, and the Young Parent Resource Centre Review. She also conducted a review of the Futures Residential Program and the Centralized Access Resource System (CARS) database.
smanitowabi@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext 5049
Fax: (705)675-4817
Office: Arts Building, Room 302A
Professor
Herb Nabigon, M.S.W. (Carleton)
Aani Boozho Greetings
Herb Nabigon is an Elder from Pic River First Nation and is a member of the Loon Clan within the Ojibway Nation. He is a Professor in Native Human Services Social Work programme at Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada. He has been teaching at Laurentian for the past 19 years.
When Herb was younger he suffered from alcohol addiction which took him to the depths of despair. Since 1979, he has been able to heal his addiction with the help of Eddy Bellerose, an Elder who introduced him to ancient Cree teachings. Herb has acquired help from the healing methods drawn from the Four Sacred Directions, the refuge and revitalization offered by the sweat lodge, and native cultural practices such as the use of the pipe. Herb’s healing journey is a complete circle. Native communities still plagued by alcoholism will find hope in his pipe ceremonies and healing circles.
Herb has written a book about his experiences with fighting addiction utilizing traditional native healing methods called “The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing 2006”. He has written a number of articles for the Federal Government of Canada on Governance and completed articles in the Social Work journals. He has also completed an article on Healing Individuals and Families using a Cree Medicine Wheel Guide.
Herb has been called upon by various communities to conduct pipe ceremonies and sweat lodges for healing dysfunctions within the family and community and worked with various Governmental and social agencies across Canada. The spiritual work done by Herb is very much valued by the Native and non-Native communities.
hnabigon@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext 5063
Fax: (705)675-4817
Office: Arts Building, Room 304
Assistant Professor
Cheryle Partridge, B.S.W. (Laurentian), M.S.W. (Toronto) Ph D abd (Toronto)
Cheryle Partridge is a social work educator in the School of Native Human Services and an Anishinaabe-Kwe (Ojibway/Pottawatomi woman) from Wasauksing First Nation. She is a member of the Eagle Clan and the Three Fires Midewiwin Society. Cheryle has been a life-long advocate for social justice for Aboriginal Peoples.
Cheryle graduated from the Native Human Services program at Laurentian University with her honours degree in social work in 1993, but feels she has been a helper most of her life. Attending university as a mature student fulfilled a life-long dream. After graduation with her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto in 1994, Cheryle pursued her social work career first in a mental health agency which operated both in Sudbury and in surrounding First Nation communities, then she worked for the nine Cree communities in northern Quebec as Director of Professional Services – Social, for the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay.
Since 1999, she has been teaching at Laurentian University in the School of Native Human Services. She also taught part-time in Native Studies for a couple of years prior to that. Her very busy life includes teaching full-time while simultaneously working toward her doctoral degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Her interests include traditional Anishinaabe knowledge, residential schools, Aboriginal homelessness and issues around mental health.
Never having envisioned herself as a professor, Cheryle now says that she cannot envision herself anywhere else. She particularly values students, calling them the most important component of her university life. The School of Native Human Services offers students (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) a solid culture-specific social work foundation.
Cheryle believes that the key attribute for social work leaders is respect for others and respect for self. She emphasizes, “Being in this profession, you have to walk the talk. If you talk about the Seven Grandfather Teachings and the Social Work Code of Ethics, your actions have to mirror your words.”
Speaking about the future of social work, Cheryle says: “I am a social worker; therefore, I am an optimist. I visualize a time when there is no need for social workers; I visualize a time when oppression ceases to exist; I visualize a time when racism ceases to exist; I visualize a time when harmony will be the norm.”
cpartridge@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext 5051
Fax: (705)675-4817
Office: Arts Building, Room 303
Access Supervisor
Sharon Corbiere-Johnston, B.A, B.S.W, M.S.W..(Laurentian)
Is a member of the M'chigeeng First Nation. My parents are from Wiky and M'Chigeeng. I hold a BA in Native Studies and Sociology, BSW in Native Human Services and an MSW. I enjoy working with students and meeting new people. I have been employed with Native Human Services since 1994. My responsibilities involve coordination of Professional Year Admissions, coordination of Field education for on and off campus students, Promotion and recruitment, coordination of the distance education program and academic advisor for the Native Human Services distance education program.
scorbiere@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext 5055
Fax: (705)675-4817
Office: Arts Building, Room 300A
Partnerships Coordinator
Lissa Lavallee, B.S.W (Laurentian), M.S.W (Wilfred Laurier), RSW.
Anishinaabe Kwe from South Bay which is located on the Wikwemikong Unceeded Indian Reserve. I am proud to say I am a graduate from the Native Human Services Program. I currently work with the School of Native Human Services as their Partnerships Coordinator as well as their Project Manager for Seven Generations Educational Institute. I recently graduated from the Masters of Social Work, Aboriginal Field of study program at Wilfred Laurier.
lx_lavallee@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext 5028
Fax: (705)675-4817
Office: Arts Building, Room 302
Departmental Secretary
Freda Recollet
frecollet@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705)675-1151 ext 5082
Fax: (705)675-4817
Office: Arts Building, Room 301