Michaela Sutherland

Growing up in my community up in the James Bay Coast, called Kashechewan. I have spent most of my life so far working for my people, especially youth. I am sober from drugs and alcohol. I foster all of the 7 grandfather teachings, as well as a cultural background, and lived experience.

Tutor Escort at St. Andrew's School (2020-01 – 2021-12)

As a Tutor Escort, I was assigned a student with special needs to help further their development in life skills as well as school work.

• Taught student school work in their learning levels.
• At times, I was a substitute teacher for grade 6s.
• Took over other tutor escorts students when gone for the day.
• Assisted teachers whenever my tutor student was not in attendance with various topics

Choose Life Recreation Worker at Kashechewan Health Services (2022-06 – 2024-03)

As a Recreation Worker, I was planning and facilitating events for youths 0-17 years of age, and sometimes working with Choose Life Case Managers to help with their mental health and some outreach.

• Planned and facilitated events with my boss, as well as many co-workers.
• Took necessary training to further assist my role.
• Was a chaperone for many youth, took them out of town and to events.
• Sat as a mentor for the Choose Life Youth Advisory. A youth committee made up of teens ages 12-18 years old.

Akwe:Go Program Coordinator at Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre (2024-07 – Present)

As Akwe:Go Program Coordinator, I provide urban aboriginal children (ages 7-12) with support, tools and healthy activities which fosters their ability to make healthy life choices.

• Facilitated the assessment of required services and identified areas of difficulty experienced by clients.
• Ran afterschool programs, to provide a safe and structured environment for urban indigenous children.
• Facilitated with support/sharing circles and peer counselling.
• Assisted in specific programming for clients abilities and aspirations. (children with FASD, ADHD, ASD)
• Took courses within OFIFC: Indigenous Research, Community Development, and Planning and Proposal Writing.

High School Diploma – Francine J. Wesley Secondary School (2015-01 – 2019-12)