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

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. She is also a member of the KBE Indigenous Advisory Circle with Kairos. 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.​

Mat Pilgrim

Co-Facilitator/Logistics/Druid

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 soon. 

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

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. 

Jocelyn Bourbonnais

Elder/Knowledge Sharer/Ceremonial Keeper

Jocelyne is Anishinaabemowin and is of Scottish ancestry who currently lives Northeast of Winnipeg 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 a street entrenched as a 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, 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.​