Braving the Healing is committed to working together with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and groups to strive toward a better world of Reconciliation and Understanding.

Our Team

Viola Plett
Lead Facilitator

Viola, a survivor of the 60's scoop, stands as a beacon of resilience and strength. Born the eldest of four children, her life took a heart-wrenching turn when she and her siblings were forcibly separated from their parents on January 29, 1962. Despite the pain of this separation, Viola has managed to reclaim her Indigenous Status and is currently working on reclaiming her language and culture.

Today, Viola wears many hats in her healing journey. She is a Certified Death Doula, Certified Indigenous Birth Doula, and is presently working on her Forest Bathing Certification amongst other indigenous based learning. She is a board member of The Attachment Network of Manitoba and works in the local school system as their indigenous storyteller fostering cultural understanding. Her forthcoming podcast explores intergenerational trauma's impact on family relationships and  to amplify other 60's scoop stories is in the works and scheduled for release in 2025. 

She provides a nurturing home for her three Indigenous children, rich with culture and land-based activities, helping them reconnect with their roots and strengthen their bond. Viola is not just preserving her own heritage, but also fostering a deeper  understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures among others.

Carolyn Moar
Elder

Elder Carolyn has been walking traditionally for over 25 years and has worked in the community for 30 years. Elder Carolyn has also worked with Kairos Blanket Exercises and is highly sought after to do various Traditional Teachings and Duties with the City of Winnipeg, River East School Division and many other organizations where she teaches adults and youth that the Indigenous Peoples are strong, loving, and welcoming, both in the past and today. She performs and attends various ceremonies, showing that she strongly believes in community and the work that can be achieved. Reconciliation is very important to her as a traditional person. 

Mat Pilgrim
Co-Facilitator

Mat 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.

Mat 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. Mat 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 to the community in the spring of 2025. 

Mat 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 Colonizer, Truth and Reconciliation are very important to Mat as the first steps toward a more loving and understanding world. 

French VBE

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

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.​