Sandi Boucher
Sandi Boucher is a master of creating safe space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspective, for healing and growth, for dumb questions and difficult conversations. A proud Ojibwe woman who knows full well the devastation of colonialism, alcoholism and domestic violence, it is her wisdom, her experience, and her metaphors that have made Sandi Boucher an internationally recognized and much-loved speaker. Sandi is a member of Seine River First Nation in northern Ontario, who began her speaking career in 2009. Now more than a decade later, Sandi continues to use conversational English, stories, humour, metaphors, and personal examples to empower men and women of all cultural backgrounds and she has a vision. Imagine a beautiful eagle feather. Half of the feather represents the Indigenous peoples of this land. This side has been injured. This side needs to heal, to grow in strength, to remember how to fly before it can do just that. The other side represents the non-Indigenous people of Canada. They have been misinformed and misled, taught half-truths and stereotypes about Indigenous peoples from day one. They have built systems and structures that exclude Indigenous peoples and their world views and this must change. THIS is how we reconcile – by nurturing and tending to both sides of this sacred feather.
Liisa Cheshire, MSW, RSW
Liisa Cheshire’s social work career began in 1994 in Ontario. Liisa worked in child welfare in Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Since moving to Manitoba in 1998 Liisa has worked in a wide variety of roles including quality assurance and leadership positions. In 2015, Liisa joined the Manitoba College of Social Workers (MCSW). Since that time Liisa has spent time discussing ethical dilemmas with members, listening to feedback from members regarding Continuing Competence needs and assisting members of the public with questions related to the MCSW Complaints process. Liisa has been in the role of Manager of Regulatory Practice since 2017 with primary responsibility for the coordination of the complaints process.