“Go into the forest, you see the birch, maple, pine. Look underground and all those trees are holding hands. We as people have to do the same.”- Mi’kmaw Spiritual Leader, Healer, and Chief Charles Labrador of Acadia First Nation
Journey with me!
About Me
I have 9 years of international and Canadian experience with specialized knowledge in Conflict Resolution, Qualitative research, Peace-building, Restorative Justice and Reconciliation. As a Mediator and Circle Keeper I bring a unique and highly diverse set of experiences to my teachings, research, project management and trainings. With a focus on International cross-cultural settings, conflict transformation, negotiations, power-rebalancing, Indigenous rights advocacy, consensus building, mediation and conflict coaching. I am currently in my forth year of my PhD at Queens University working in Human Geography in the Heath, Environment and Communities lab working with Dr. Heather Castleden.
My research is looking at Critical Geographies of living well (Buen vivir) in the Ecuadorian Amazon where I am examining decolonial knowledge production, power in neocolonial extractive landscapes, feminist political ecology and geographies of peace. I am working in collaboration and partnership with members of the Indigenous Shuar Community through community-based participatory research to preserve their ancestral territory and traditional ecological knowledge. My PhD work is activist oriented looking to help protect Shuar knowledge and territory in the Ecuadorian Amazon against rising transitional mining interests in the area.
My research is also working to support their Community Based Eco-Tourism Projects, and broader Foundation founded by the Chiriap Shuar family for Indigenous peoples of the Ecuadorian Amazon and stewardship of their forests. You can check out the project at Inishanunka.org I have completed my Masters of Philosophy in International Peace Studies from Trinity College and have obtained Advanced Dispute resolution training from York University, and the GlenCree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. I am fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish and can speak some Haitian Creole.
I learned to speak both Spanish and Portuguese while living abroad in South America after completing my undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Environmental Studies. My experiences abroad and especially in Latin America, have created a passion for reconciling relations to our natural world and one another. Having travelled to 42 countries across the globe all of my experiences, studies, and work have shaped my passion to make the world a better place. As of right now I am available for part-time consulting work at home in Toronto, remotely, and internationally. Over the next few months you will find me back and forth from the Ecuadorian Amazon, the site of my field research.
The work i do
Qualitative & Community-Based Research
Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Restorative Circles
Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Restorative Circles
Before beginning my PhD. I have worked as an associate, analyst and researcher internationally:
- Qualitative Research Project with the European Union SEUPB to evaluate PEACE & INTERREG IV Funding in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland
- Qualitative Research & Service Analyst and Strategy Design for Local Drug and Alcohol Addiction Task Forces
- Qualitative Conflict Analyst & Co- Mediator: Israel & Palestine
- Qualitative Conflict Analyst & Youth Leader: Lakou Lape: Port- Au-Prince, Haiti
- Comparative Qualitative Case Study of Brazil and Canada surrounding disputes over unsustainable resource developments with Indigenous Communities: Trinity College Dublin
- Qualitative Research analysis using semi-structured interviews to reduce disposable coffee cup waste on Dalhousie University Campus
Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Restorative Circles
Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Restorative Circles
Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Restorative Circles
Through conversations, learning and by building improbable relationships I believe we all have the capacity for change, and can learn from one another.
I believe in calling people in rather than calling people out. Through guided conversations, story telling and cultural exchange I hope to evoke self reflection, violence reduction and mutual understanding; Through Peacebuilding, conflict resolution and mediation I believe we can work towards agreed actions so people can move forward from conflict, misunderstandings, and fear.
I have mentored a roster of over 20+ Volunteer Mediators, lead and resolved cases here in Canada and internationally. My mediation cases cover inter-person, inter-cultural workplace, and criminal disputes.
I have completed my Master's in International Peace Studies, where I was trained in mediation by the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliatio. I have also done trainings with the University of Waterloo, York University, St. Stephens and Peacebuilders International.
Fundraising and Events
Fundraising and Events
Fundraising and Events
Collaborate with me, check out my past and current projects under case studies
I am passionate about event planning, creative projects and fundraising for anything that helps support the causes and communities I believe in. Especially across Latin America, the Caribbean, Ireland and what is now known as Canada.
In the past I have created events to raise funds for the Maya in Belize, Reconciliation efforts in Canada, and for youth involved in Peacebuilding in Port-au Prince, Haiti.
Community-Based Tourism
Fundraising and Events
Fundraising and Events
I am currently working to help support two different Indigenous Led Eco-tourism Projects in Ontario, Canada & Ecuador
I have worked in the hospitality sector for the last 15 years. I have a passion for making people happy, curating tours, meals, and trips! I speak English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and some Haitian Creole. I have been a tour guide in both Spain and Brazil, as well as worked as a server in the restaurant industry to support myself since I was 18! I am now harnessing my hospitality and tourism skills to support Indigenous-based tourism projects in Ontario & the Ecuadorian Amazon. Join me for the next adventure as we learn about the jungle from Indigenous Shuar community & go Glamping at the Bear Standing Tall Tipi Village!
Decolonizing the western centric view of the cosmos and moving toward holistic perspectives is essential to the future of life on the planet
- BOAVENTURA DE SOUSA SANTOS & MARIA PAULA MENESES, 2019
more Info
My work is grounded in Values
My work is grounded in Values
My work is grounded in Values
I aim to follow and learn from the Ojibwe Seven Grandfather's Teachings
- Humility – Dbaadendiziwin.
- Bravery – Aakwa'ode'ewin.
- Honesty – Gwekwaadziwin.
- Wisdom – Nbwaakaawin. .
- Truth – Debwewin.
- Respect – Mnaadendimowin.
- Love – Zaagidwin.
Qualifications
My work is grounded in Values
My work is grounded in Values
Ph.D. Candidate in Human Geography. Queens University 2019-Present: Kingston, Ontario
Master of Philosophy Degree in International Peace Studies. Trinity College 2011-2012: Dublin, Ireland
Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in Philosophy and a Minor in Environmental Studies.
Dalhousie University 2004-2009: Halifax, Canada
Advanced Certifica
Ph.D. Candidate in Human Geography. Queens University 2019-Present: Kingston, Ontario
Master of Philosophy Degree in International Peace Studies. Trinity College 2011-2012: Dublin, Ireland
Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in Philosophy and a Minor in Environmental Studies.
Dalhousie University 2004-2009: Halifax, Canada
Advanced Certificate in Dispute Resolution. York University 2013: Toronto, Canada
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