At St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG) in Thunder Bay, Ontario, an Indigenous team of social workers and social service workers are reshaping healthcare by weaving traditional knowledge with Western models of care. For Brenda Mason, Ogichidaa Kwe (Elder in Council), N’doo’owe Binesi, Carly Brar, Indigenous Counsellor, N’doo’owe Binesi, Indigenous Health and Paul Francis Jr., Vice President of N’doo’owe Binesi, Indigenous Health, Partnerships and Wellness, this work is deeply personal and a vital part of advancing reconciliation in practice.
A Path Rooted in Identity and Healing
For Carly, her journey into social work was grounded in lived experience. “As an Indigenous person, I’ve felt the effects of systemic barriers physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally,” she explains. “I want to help our communities overcome those barriers and live in a good way.” At SJCG, she incorporates cultural practices such as smudging, hand drumming and sharing circles alongside counselling, creating spaces where healing is holistic and inclusive.
Paul describes his path as a calling. “As a social worker, I look at myself more as a helper, committed lifelong to serve our people. I’m Bear Clan, and part of our responsibility is to protect. Our people are in these hospitals and facilities, and I think our team goes a long way in supporting and advocating so they’re not harmed, not even unintentionally.”
Brenda’s 34-year career began almost by chance. Fresh out of college, she applied for a position as an assistant social worker at a psychiatric hospital. What started off as a job became a lifelong journey of identity and healing. “When I began my career, I denied my identity,” she recalls. “Working with Elders helped me to accept myself as Anishinaabe and Cree, reconnect with ceremony and embrace my language. My clients and the Elders became my teachers, showing me that healing begins with knowing who we are.”
Walking with humility
For all three, humility is central to their practice. As Paul explains, humility is one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings that guide Anishinaabe life. “Western knowledge often teaches that you’re the expert. But when it comes to wellness, no one else can tell you what is best for you. Social work, for us, is about asking how can I walk with and support this person?”
Carly adds that humility means “recognizing that I don’t know everything. My clients are the experts of their own lives. That perspective empowers them, and it helps me step back and truly listen.”
Brenda agrees, noting that humility is inseparable from the other teachings. “Traditional healing taught me that clients are healers too. They can heal themselves. We just walk with them and remind them of the tools they already have.”
Reconciliation in practice
At SJCG, reconciliation is not symbolic. It is embedded in policy, staffing and daily practice. Carly describes it as “upholding traditional medicines and ceremonies to the same standard as Western medicine,” while working collaboratively across disciplines.
Brenda reflects on her long journey of education, persistence and reconciliation. “When I first started, I was the only First Nations employee in a large organization. I had to educate colleagues about our medicines, our ceremonies and what they meant. At first, many colleagues didn’t know what I meant when I spoke about traditional healing. Over time, through storytelling, ceremony and even science, they began to understand. Today, St. Joseph’s opens its doors to traditional healing practices like drumming and sharing circles. It’s been a slow process, but I’m grateful for the leadership’s openness to walk with us.”
Paul emphasizes the importance of investment. “Reconciliation can’t just be symbolic. At St. Joseph’s, over 30 staff are dedicated to this work, supported by existing budgets, not special funding. It’s in our strategic plan, our daily huddles at our management meetings. Reconciliation is about building ongoing relationships, rooted in the original vision of the treaties.”
Integrating ways of knowing
The team describes integration of Indigenous and Western approaches as a mutual learning process. Paul notes that policies, spaces and education are essential. “It costs money to run sweat lodges or teaching lodges. But these practices offer so much, not just for First Nations people, but for everyone.”
For Carly, this integration is most evident in mental health and addictions care. “Western medicine addresses withdrawal symptoms, but our cultural practices bring spiritual and emotional healing. Together, they create a more complete picture of wellness.”
Building respectful relationships
When asked what it takes to build trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, clients and communities, the three point to truth, respect and time.
“Trust is foundational,” Paul says. “Many of our clients carry trauma from residential schools, child welfare and systemic harms. As staff, we must acknowledge and understand that history. Once trust is built, our people’s kindness, humour and generosity shine through.”
Carly highlights the role of cultural humility. “It’s about asking questions, being open and learning without judgment.”
Brenda adds that respect must be demonstrated through consistent action. “Words aren’t enough. Clients and colleagues need to see you follow through.”
A message for the future
Looking ahead, the team shares a common hope: that Indigenous people and future generations will thrive.
Paul envisions “a future where our people are healthy, where diversity is embraced and where no one has to experience the harms of cultural genocide to find their path.”
Carly hopes to see “our identity growing, our gifts shared and our culture celebrated as open and giving.”
Brenda reflects on her journey with gratitude. “For me, it’s been one client at a time, one circle at a time. Our people need role models. To College registrants, I say know who you are, know your culture and practise from your heart. Healing starts there.”
The College thanks Brenda, Carly and Paul for speaking with us and sharing their experiences. In appreciation, the College has made a donation to St. Joseph’s Care Group.
From top left to bottom right: St. Joseph’s Hospital Main Entrance, Sister Margaret Smith Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care Centre, Thunder Bay