Meet Joanna: a counsellor who gives so much to the women at Nellie’s

As a counsellor at Nellie’s, Joanna Shawana spends much of her time providing emotional support to the women living in our shelter. They’ve experienced traumas and every one of our counsellors help create positive spaces through one-on-one support, programs, and workshops that offer therapeutic healing and personal growth.

Joanna’s job is to listen, to provide guidance and support, and to help every woman with her personal healing journey. Sometimes when a woman shares their story with her, she feels compelled to share one of her poems from her book, Voice of an Eagle, that was published in 2006. When she recites them, it helps her express that she understands what they’re saying to her and that they’re not alone.

“I share a bit of me with them just to let them know that I have been there and I understand. Working as a counsellor needs a lot of compassion and understanding,” says Joanna.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Joanna also ran regular healing through art workshops. As an Aboriginal jewellery maker herself, she teaches the women living in our shelter to make jewellery, dream catchers, and more.

“Art brings you peace and it takes your other worries out of your mind,” says Joanna, whose native name is Niimkii-Giizhikgad-Kwe, which means Thunderday Woman. “When you’re focused on making a bracelet, you’re not focused on your problems. It gives your brain a break from the worries and provides a bit of stress relief. Also, it’s a way for me to teach the women that if they can sell the jewellery, they can make a little extra money when they’re on a tight budget.”

Helping Nellie’s celebrate National Indigenous History Month

Every June, Joanna also usually takes the lead to help Nellie’s celebrate National Indigenous History Month. She posts notices for events, celebrations, and traditional Powwows around the city, and takes over the Nellie’s kitchen for one evening to prepare a complete traditional Aboriginal meal for the women and their children living at Nellie’s. The first time she took on this project, her mother even visited the shelter to help out in the kitchen.

“I’ve made corn soup, and I’ve made tacos, and berry salads. It always a very traditional meal,” says Joanna.

Many years, she also helps celebrate Aboriginal culture by hosting a beading and drumming workshop for the women and their children. During it, she teaches about the importance of her drum, medicines, and how they’re used. Even though she says she’s quite shy, sometimes the group encourages her to sing a traditional song.

With physical and social distancing keeping us all apart like never before, National Indigenous History Month celebrations in our shelter are much more muted this year. But we still honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada and continue to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous communities.

Thank you, Joanna for all you do for the women and their children living at Nellie’s. Once we’re able to resume regular programming, we’re looking forward to resuming Joanna’s healing through art workshops. If you would like to donate beads, stones, gems or other jewellery making supplies or tools, please contact us at community@nellies.org.