Wikwemikong Unceded Territory is home to Roxanne. It’s where her passion for helping others took root. After completing the Social Services Worker program at Northern College in 2015 while balancing work and family, she felt a desire to expand her knowledge and skills to better serve her community.
“One of the reasons to go to school was to be a role model to my community,” Roxanne shared. “It's never too late and you're never too old to go to school.” In 2020, she enrolled at Laurentian University, initially taking classes online part-time before moving to Sudbury to study full-time. Transferring her college credits allowed her to hit the ground running. Roxanne’s positive outlook permeates everything she takes on.
“Everybody has a bad day and everybody can have a good day but we are here, healthy, doing and being,” she said. “Life is so precious, and I try to learn and experience as much as I can. It keeps me energized and vibrant.”
Her decision to pursue social work was deeply tied to her identity as a member of the Bear Clan. Bear Clan members are known for their role as protectors and healers. “Once I discovered my clan, everything clicked,” Roxanne explained. “It validated my path in the helping profession and reaffirmed my desire to integrate Indigenous worldviews into my work.”
Over the years, Roxanne’s career has spanned roles as a mental health worker, maternal-child health advocate, and facilitator of healing workshops for First Nations communities.
Together with her sister, she delivers training such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Mental Health First Aid, these training sessions are highly sought after by Indigenous communities. Despite the profound loss of two of her sisters during the COVID-19 pandemic, Roxanne continues their shared mission of empowering others. “Even though our sisters are in the spirit world, they are with us in our hearts and minds when we deliver training. I feel empowered by their presence,” she said.
Her time at Laurentian has been enriched by the supportive community and the resources available at the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre (ISLC). “I smudge at home, but when I can’t, I’m grateful to have the ISLC as a space for reflection and healing,” Roxanne shared. “I’ve even had opportunities to share the teachings of the Medicine Wheel with my peers and professors, creating reciprocal relationships that align with our Indigenous belief system.”
Roxanne’s story is also one of reinvention. Over her life, she’s worn many hats—from hairdresser to wedding planner, dental assistant to trainer. These experiences, coupled with her role as a mother, have shaped her into what she proudly describes as a “Swiss Army knife” of skills and adaptability. “I’m not afraid to see a need—whether in my life or in my community—and find a way to fill that need,” she said. Looking ahead, Roxanne plans to return to Wikwemikong and use her education to address the unique and complex needs of her community. She envisions continuing her work with her sister, offering culturally grounded services and support to vulnerable populations.
“Being a parent taught me invaluable lessons, but pursuing my education gave me the tools to bring even more to the table,” Roxanne reflected. “It’s never too late to learn and grow.” As she approaches graduation, Roxanne’s story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and the importance of perseverance. It’s a reminder that growth is always possible, no matter where you are in life.