Picture of Sheila North
Topic(s): 
Anti-Oppressive Practice
Indigenous People and Communities
MCSW
Violence
Women
Webinar event date: 
May 5, 2023 1:00 pm EDT
Webinar link

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Webinar Presenters: 

Sheila North

Sheila North is a member of Bunibonibee Cree Nation (also known as Oxford House), and the former Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) 2015 to 2018.  Sheila  achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a journalist/storyteller and worked in the media industry for 15 years. She is recognized for her efforts building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities during with her work in and with media and during her time as the MKO Grand Chief.

Most recently, Sheila was an anchor and journalist at CBC Manitoba. Formerly, she was the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Legacy Bowes and Political Commentator for CTV Network. Prior to becoming the Grand Chief of MKO, Sheila North worked as a journalist for CBC for seven years (2005 to 2012). She has also been an entrepreneur, a Cree translator, an economic development officer, a radio personality, a Chief Communication Officer at the Assembly for Manitoba Chiefs, and as a correspondent with CTV News until being elected as MKO Grand Chief in September 2015.

Sheila comes from proud and big family, is a mother of two and a Kookom of one.

Twitter: @TheSheilaNorth

Facebook and Instagram: Sheila North

Moderator: Jacqueline Shortridge, MSW, RSW

Jacqueline Shortridge, MSW, RSW is the Manager of Registration and Professional Practice with the Manitoba College of Social Workers (MCSW). She has been a registered social worker in Manitoba since 2002. After completing her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 1999, Jacqueline practiced in both Alberta and Manitoba. In 2016 she completed her Master of Social Work with a specialization in leadership in the human services from the University of Calgary. Jacqueline has spent over twenty years working in the health care field. She has held roles as a front-line social worker, profession lead for social work and as a clinical manager of an inpatient mental health unit. Jacqueline has experience in both short and long-term interventions, crisis work, advocacy, policy and guideline development in addition to liaising with many programs and referral sources (such as public health, education systems, employment and income assistance, and justice). In addition, she has practiced in social work education as Field Coordinator and Sessional Instructor in the Distance Delivery Site of the BSW Program in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Jacqueline has been involved in various capacities with MIRSW and MCSW since 2003.

Description

One of Sheila’s passions is working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to raise awareness about the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) and is the original creator of the commonly used hashtag, #MMIW. She continues to work closely with families, friends and Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders to address the issue of violence against Indigenous women that has resulted in the current crisis. She has succeeded in engaging people in responding to the critical issue of MMIW through a variety of means, including her most recent project —a documentary she co-produced with Leonard Yakir titled “1200+” that highlights some of the systemic issues that place Indigenous women at greater risk for violence and sexual exploitation. With assistance from the Canadian Women Foundation, Sheila also commissioned a curriculum on MMIW that pairs with the film, 1200+.