Elder/Knowledge Keeper, Indigenous Health Services Northern Health Region

Cindy is a First Nations knowledge holder with the Northern Regional Health Authority proud of her heritage and deeply values her family, particularly the influence of her mother's love and guidance. In 1996, she married Philip O’Nabigon and together they have four sons whom she affectionately calls her ‘cubs’.

Cindy has been a residence counsellor at Frontier Collegiate for over 11 years, finding fulfillment in working with youth from diverse communities. She leads a girls' drum group, conducts cultural workshops, and has been involved with the Flin Flon Friendship Center and Youth Center for several years. Embracing a traditional lifestyle for two decades, Cindy finds strength and faith through ceremonies like the sweat lodge. She looks forward to sharing her experiences and teachings with students, aiming to inspire through her cultural insights.

BSW, RSW  Indigenous Health Coordinator, Northern Health Region – Indigenous Health

Donna, originally from Cranberry Portage and now residing in Flin Flon, is the third youngest of 10 children and considers herself a true northerner. With a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Manitoba, she has had a diverse career in social work, including as a counsellor for youth and adults, a life skills coach in adult education, and a high school social worker. Since joining the Northern Health Region in 2016, Donna has served as a Mental Health Clinician and currently holds the position of Indigenous Health Coordinator. Known for her humour and dedication, Donna integrates cultural knowledge into her practice and emphasizes a strengths-based, holistic approach. She values building relationships, and collaboration and follows her mother's advice to approach interactions with humility and kindness. In her spare time, Donna enjoys family gatherings, dreams of owning a cabin, and cherishes moments with her dog Bear. She dedicates her work to her mother Irma and all caregivers who provide support and strength to their loved ones.

Elder/Knowledge Keeper, Indigenous Health Services Northern Health Region

Isabelle is from Tatasweyak CFN/Split Lake, Manitoba and resides in Thompson, Manitoba, with her husband Ernie. They have two sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has seven siblings. 

She is fluent in the Cree Language and has obtained a certification in the Aboriginal Language Specialist Program from Red River Community College in Winnipeg, plus a Bachelor of Arts and Nursing from the University of Manitoba. She is honoured to have gained the Traditional Healing Ways from Elders, Traditional People, Counsellors and Family, Friends. 

She is a Member of various Traditional Lodges such as Traditional Dancer in Pow Wow, Sundancer, and Helper, Sweat Lodge, Fasting/Feasting, Traditional Medicine Harvesting Healing and Tipi Teaching Lodge, and Grandmother Elder Council Lodge. She is a Traditional Bundle Carrier, a South Medicine Woman, a Northern Dancing White Buffalo Elder, and a Bear Clan.

Miriam Duff is a compassionate clinician who works with people affected by cancer at CancerCare Manitoba. She has a Master of Education in Counselling from the University of Manitoba and is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). She has extensive experience in serving children and families at Children’s Hospital. She is also a trained teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion and a graduate of Expressive Arts Therapy, where she discovered her passion for drumming.

Miriam grew up in Northern Ontario on Treaty 9 land with parents from England and Scotland. She respects and learns from Indigenous teachings and acknowledges the historical and ongoing harms of colonization, including Residential Schools. She is dedicated to walking the path of reconciliation with others. She loves spending time with her family, drumming with the Buffalo Gals when she can, and kayaking on the LaSalle River in her red kayak.