You Are the Medicine

At Braving the Healing, we want to share our knowledge through story telling. The Blanket Exercise walks the participants through 500 years of history in an experience of empathic learning. The Box and Circle teaches the difference between Indigenous and Western world views and how to hold both with the practice of "Two-Eye Seeing".

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Our Team

Viola Plett

Lead Facilitator/Elder/Knowledge Keeper

My people are from Treaty 2 Territory, Lake Manitoba. The name my mother gave me is Viola. My Spirit name is “Oshosh ko biik” — it means, “where the water meets the shoreline, where the animal spirits live.” I am from the Sturgeon Clan, carrying their wisdom wherever I go.

I survived the Sixties Scoop. That part of my life shaped me — taught me about pain, but also about resilience. I was the eldest of four, just seven years old when my siblings and I were taken from our family. Even as the trauma left its mark, I reach for reclamation of my language, my culture, and my family.

I lead with my heart and all the lessons life has given me. My healing journey has taken me many places. I am a certified Indigenous Death and Birth Doula, a board member of the Attachment Parenting Network of Manitoba, and a Circle of Security facilitator. In the Hanover School Division, I bring cultural stories and teachings into the elementary classrooms. I co-host a tea and sharing circle for Indigenous youth at our local high school.

I’m honored to serve on the KBE Indigenous Advisory Circle for Kairos Canada. Soon, I’ll be launching a podcast to explore the impact of intergenerational trauma — the pain that passes between parents and children, the struggle of attachment, and the hope that healing is always possible.

As a business owner, keynote speaker, and facilitator, I feel lucky to work with high-profile partners. I teach through a two-eyed Indigenous lens as well as the Western viewpoint. I carry my responsibilities with humility, knowing how much this work matters. Truth and Reconciliation is my guiding light.

My husband Robert and I are raising three Indigenous siblings, filling our home with culture and hope.

Through all the loss and hardship — and the rebuilding — I have learned that the heart can heal and inspire. My story is proof that even after being uprooted, you can plant yourself again and bloom. My purpose now is to shine a light that guides both myself and others back home — back to our Indigenous roots.

May we walk this path together, carrying the wisdom of our ancestors.

Froskr (ᚠᚱᛟᛊᚲᚱ​) Pilgrim

Co-Facilitator/Logistics/Druid

Froskr is a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community who has experienced many forms of persecution having grown up in a small town in rural Manitoba. He comes to the team with the compassion and understanding that his life experiences have brought him. He also brings to the team the experience of a lifetime of theatre involvement and administrative professionalism.

Froskr is also a practicing Druid of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD) and leads a small group of like minded people who meet once a month in the South Osborne area of Winnipeg. His birth name is Mat, with his spirit name Froskr Trjánna which in Old Norse means Frog of the Trees, and he has been seeking to reclaim his ancestral culture and heritage. Froskr is also a marriage officiant and wedding celebrant, having officiated the weddings of many couples in southern Manitoba. He is currently training to be a Forest Bathing Facilitator and will be offering his services soon. 

Froskr is also Papa to seven children (four of his own and three from his husband) and seeks to foster an attitude of love, and understanding of all life in his children. As a fourth generation descendant of a Mennonite Settler, Truth and Reconciliation are very important to Mat as the first steps toward a more loving and understanding world. ​

Jocelyne Bourbonnais

Elder/Knowledge Sharer/Ceremonial Keeper

Jocelyne is Anishinaabemowin and is of Scottish ancestry who currently lives Northeast of Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory of the historical Annishinabe Red River Metis in Gull Lake, Manitoba on an acreage. Her Spirit name is Kishe Bai Binezi Ekwe (Circling Thunderbird Woman) and she is of the Deer Clan. She is a mother of 3 adult children and a kookum.

Jocelyne was separated from her family in 1965 during a time known as the 60’s Scoop. Her family originate from Crane River, Manitoba along the Northwest side of Lake Manitoba. She had 7 siblings some who were adopted, and some grew up in the child welfare system. As a child she experienced isolation and many challenges. She has lived experience as an entrenched youth, however, she was able to return to school as a mature student and graduated as a Registered Nurse and finally her Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing.

​Jocelyne has been on her healing path for the past 30 plus years. She is a Sundancer, Knowledge sharer, and Ceremonial Keeper. Jocelyne finds guidance and direction in Natural Law and practices the 7 sacred teachings in her personal life. She sits as a board member of Sante St. Boniface Indigenous Circle and is involved in Ceremonial Practice in the Community.

French VBE

For added convenience, we also offer our Virtual Blanket Exercises (VBE) in a French version. The Lead Facilitator of our French team has been trained by Kairos and has several years of experience bringing this specialized version to French Canadians all across the country. 

Media Publications

Education with humanity at its core: Morden's Indigenous-led blanket exercise​

“Tears are medicine” – our Blanket Exercise with Braving the Healing

​Braving the Healing walks people through history in Blanket Exercise 

Community Makers

What is a community maker?

A community maker is someone who invites others to connect. You can be a part of the  connection in multiple ways via networks, hosting, facilitating, organizing meet ups and more.
Key components of a community are the physical and spiritual care, and prosperity of the people.  
We are committed to creating this space with Braving the Healing.

You Are the Medicine

Our logo speaks to the Elder generation securing the future of the Children through education.

Bringing Community Together

Braving the Healing Community Mission.

We identify with the word Maa-wan-jii-di-daa; A saulteaux word for "she gets people together." We strive to understand and pay homage to our ancestors who are our guides and mentors.

We reach out and accept the role given to us to be the educators, the role models, and the mentors of the future.

The Tipi

The TIPI, a Lakota word meaning "dwelling" or "to dwell." This represents a meeting place and it is typically an extension of those who dwell's physical and spiritual life.

Interesting facts: The primary structure, the first three poles represent past, present and future, another 7 poles, placed in clockwise represent seven sacred sites. The cover is placed and the last two to three poles are added to regulate the opening flap at the top. The 12 poles all together represent the 12 months of the year and the formation of time and seasons.​