“AS I AM”
Perspective + Shift + Self Love

Sharing her story from a place of vulnerability with her audience, Madelaine takes you through an experience of self-reflection and challenges you, in a good way, to shift your perspective on your own story.

Madelaine knows the everlasting pain that is incurred through experiencing abandonment and neglect, homelessness, the foster care system, abusive relationships and most recently a cancer diagnosis that shifted her world.

When Madelaine looks back at her life story it is filled with so much pain and sadness that she feels an ache that she cannot explain. This impacts her for days, weeks and sometimes months. Madelaine was given teachings that produced a shift in perspective about her past. She now shares these teachings that have shifted her perspective on her experience so that she can now look back on her story and feel empowered and see the underlying purpose of these experiences.

Through this shift in perspective, Madelaine has realized that her self-esteem has suffered for far too long and that she is enough just as she is! This breakthrough is what inspired her to create AS I AM, a movement to share with others the gift of honoring themselves as they are!

Madelaine will take you through a life changing experience where she will change the way her audience feels about their past and their traumas.

She will leave you with tools to elevate your energy, to release what no longer serves you and open your mind to your worth.

Joe Keesickquayash, is of Ojibway and Cree background from Mishkeegogamang Ontario, and Red Sucker Lake, Manitoba. He is a father of five and has one grandchild. Joe graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Indigenous Studies and History. Currently Joe is working towards starting his own Indigenous craft business, and attends traditional ceremonies throughout the year.

In 2017, Joe and his family experienced the loss of their three year old son, who was born with a rare genetic condition During his son’s odyssey, Joe and his family remained hopeful that a diagnosis would be found to bring understanding to their son’s medical journey, and more so, to help support their grief journey. 

Although the path to find a diagnosis was challenging as a father, Joe hopes that by sharing his grief journey, and his traditional approaches to understanding grief, he can help others who are experiencing grief and loss.

Shirley David (MISW), originally from the Gitxsan/Witset First Nation, she grew up with the Secwepemc people.

Shirley graduated with Master of Indigenous Social Work (MISW) and Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work (BISW). She has Addictions Counselor Certificate; Aboriginal Life Skills Facilitator Certificate; Aboriginal Trauma Certificate. She also completed courses/programs from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

Shirley has over 40 years of professional and Traditional /cultural teachings not only came from the western teachings, but also from Spiritual and Cultural Teachers and Elders.

Shirley is qualified and experienced in both Traditional Indigenous based teachings and contemporary western base teachings.

Shirley is the RHSW /Therapist with Indian Residential School Survivors Society for the past 10 years.

Susan Dowan is of Swampy Cree background from Opaskwayak Cree Nation and Gods Lake Narrows – located in Manitoba’s Treaty 5 territory. She is a mother of five and grandmother of one.  After graduating from the University of Toronto, she worked with Indigenous women and families at risk of violence for a number of years. Currently Susan works for a reconciliation project called Circles for Reconciliation. 

Sgaalaanglaay, Gaamdaamaay (Vernon Williams Jr.) belongs to Kuunlaanaas Raven Grizzly Bear of Yakin Point Haida Gwaii, Vernon is a Haida Nishga.