heal and learn collectively

 Kaskitew Pesim (Black Sun)

Treaty 8 member of Little Red River Cree Nation 447.

At the age of 48, Andrew has been a Cultural Practitioner as a Knowledge Teacher for 34 years; as member of the Clan of the 7 fires and recognizes that there are many teachings given to us as human beings and this way is one of them.

In complete inclusion of all human beings at all times of all ages and genders and all races, Andrew uses the 7 teachings and 4 laws as guides to being the best human being possible in this Great Ceremony we call life.

Michelle Racicot, hailing from a Blackfoot background, was raised on a reserve in West Bank, British Columbia. Her upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of compassion, understanding, and empathy for the people she serves. A mother of four, Michelle pursued education to become a registered social worker, specializing in addiction and mental health. Throughout her career, she has worked with diverse populations, including individuals facing homelessness, those struggling with addiction, and survivors of sexual exploitation. Michelle's dedication to her work shines through as she passionately serves as the program manager at Lionsheart Wholeness Centre. At LWC, she upholds the core values by prioritizing the spirit and individuality of each person while they are finding their way into wholeness. Michelle's love and respect for the people she works with are evident in her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on their lives. 

 Jacqueline Simmonds, a loving and devoted mother of six, embarked on a transformative journey a few years ago when she dedicated her time to working on the First Nation reserve where two of her children belong in southern Ontario. Here, she cultivated a deep love and respect for the indigenous people and their culture. Amidst the challenges of the Covid era, Jacqueline decided to pursue her passion by enrolling in school for addiction and mental health studies, followed by social work with a focus on child and youth welfare. Her path led her to Lionsheart Wholeness Centre, where, during her interview, she was captivated by the vision and the profound impact Lionsheart was making in the lives of its learners. Grateful for her role at Lionsheart, Jacqueline embraces the opportunity to learn and grow alongside the beautiful individuals she encounters, recognizing that she gains as much from them as they do from their experiences at the center. 

Marcus Lizardo has a unique journey that led him to where he is today.

Growing up in Vancouver, BC where he found himself deeply entrenched in the gang lifestyle. This lifestyle led him down a path of active addiction, and he struggled to find his way out. However, everything changed when his son was born. The desire to be the best father he could be motivated him to clean up his act, and he has now been sober for 10 years.

Marcus quickly realized that his  true passion lay in being in service to others and he found himself pursuing an education in  the field of addiction community service. He then also enrolled at the University of Alberta, where he pursued an advanced certificate in leadership.

For seven years, he had the privilege of working at an addiction treatment center. This experience was been incredibly rewarding as he witnessed individuals battling their own addictions and emerging victorious. Seeing people overcome their demons has not only affirmed his own sobriety but has also ignited a deep passion within him to help others not only find sobriety but beyond that, embark on their journey to wholeness.

While he thoroughly enjoyed his work in the addictions field, there came a point where he felt that he had reached his personal growth limit. He knew that he had the potential to contribute even more and make a greater impact on the lives of others. It was during this time that he received an invitation from the program manager, whom he had worked with in the past, to visit the Lionsheart Wholeness Center.

The moment he set foot inside this  facility, he was captivated by the pervasive indigenous culture that infused every corner. There was an undeniable sense of warmth and connection that enveloped the center and he knew deep in his heart that it was an organization he wanted to be a part of.

He made the decision to join the Lionsheart team, and since then, his experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. Working with families and individuals on their healing journey has brought immense joy and fulfillment into his life. The opportunity to be a part of their transformation and growth is incredibly humbling, and he is grateful for each and every person who entrusts him with their well-being.

Lionsheart Wholeness Center has become much more than an organization to him; it is a community of like-minded individuals driven by a shared vision of holistic healing. He is continually inspired by the dedication and compassion of his colleagues, as well as the resilience and strength exhibited by the individuals we serve.

 Each day, he is grateful to be reminded of the transformative power of healing and the resilience of the human spirit. 

Gifted with a vision of a different way of healing and empowering individuals, Wanda Rowe, took on the challenge of creating what is now Lionsheart Wholeness Centre. Her vision was of a place that respected the spirit of the land and allowed freedom for individuals to create their own pathways into healing. With a deep understanding of how powerful it is to step into your purpose, she wanted to create a safe space where others could also find their way not only into wellness, but also empower others stand in their gifts in the world and magnify the rippling impact of positive change for communities and families. Wanda has a strong conviction that we are all deserving of good things and a good life regardless of our past mistakes or learning experiences. She believes that humans are resilient and we are meant to grow through our trauma and transform it into a gift for the greater good. Passionate about meeting the Truth and Reconciliation act with real action and steps forward, she realized early on in the development of Lionsheart that Indigenous peoples are the true stewards of the land we all now co-exist on known as Turtle Island. She also recognized that she was simply a conduit to create a space where the facilitators could freely teach from their cultural lens helping in the resurgence of Indigenous language and ceremonies. Her role is to create that space for all who are involved with Lionsheart to learn and heal together. The process of creating a new model in a society where we have all been affected by colonization whether it is conscious or not has tested all of her own resiliency. The positive changes she witnesses daily in the learners is what keeps her motivated to learn and grow herself and to continue forward in creating the vision of a space empowering individuals to wholeness. 

 Rebecca Larson, a resilient Indigenous woman, hailing from Treaty 6 territory, has triumphed over addiction to emerge as a beacon of hope. Currently entrusted with the care of her two nieces, she has rekindled her cultural roots and found solace in her heritage. Working diligently at Lionsheart Wholeness Centre, Rebecca embodies strength, compassion, and a deep commitment to healing and community well-being as the right hand to the Executive Director.