Wahkotowin Child & Family Service Inc.
Our mission is to promote and support the well-being of children, youth and families in our community through culturally appropriate programs and services.
Our Staff
Joan D. Constant
Director
In August 2004, I convocated with my Masters of Aboriginal Social Work, prior to that I received my Bachelor of Social Work in 1995.
I have worked in the field of Child and Family Services since 1995. As well, I have had to opportunity to work in the development of the day cares within twelve First Nations. I was also hired as a counselor for two agencies as well, I have been a lecturer for an evening social work class in the northern campus. My heart has always been working with children.
It takes a special kind of person to work in the field of child protection, and what keeps me grounded and focused are my grand babies (two boys), my daughter and a special child that has been a part of my life for a while.
I love travelling, and camping.
Sylvia Sanderson
Supervisor
I have been employed with Wahkotowin Child and Family Services for a year and a half. I come from a family of 9, 6 brothers, 2 sisters and myself. I have been working within the boundaries of the James Smith Cree Nation for over 20 years and counting. I look forward in continuing to work for Wahkotowin Child and Family Services Inc. in the area of child protection.
Kinanaskomitinaw
Robyn Moostoos
Office Manager
I am from James Smith Cree Nation. I graduated from Bernard Constant Community School in 2010 and did summer employment as a secretary at Margret Turner Health Clinic in the summers of 2009 and 2010. I married in July 2010 and have 3 children. I started my employment at Wahkotowin Child and Family Services Inc. in July of 2012.
Christina Bear
Integrated child and family service worker
I have been employed as Integrated Worker for Wahkotowin Child & Family since January of 2017; I am from Muskoday First Nation, was married to James Smith and have family ties to the community through my marriage and also through extended family. I come from a family of 9 children being the second oldest. I have 7 children, 20 grandchildren and 3 chapans.
I have Bachelor Indian Social Work with University of Regina, also have a degree in Addictions, and have always worked in the field of helping. I believe all people need help with different areas in their lives.
My interests are learning about my culture, love spending time with my grandchildren and like to bead when I have time.
Barb Morin
Integrated Family Service Worker
I am from Cumberland House Sask. I come from a family of 9 children being the second oldest. I have 2 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 chapan. I received my education in social work diploma in 1987 with University of Regina. My past work and education history entails working in the human services field as a sub teacher, Child & Family Services worker, and other extensive experience working with children and their families. I have a lot of compassion working with people from all walks of life and understanding where they’re coming from.
Rebecca Head
Off-Reserve/ Family Finders Worker
My Name is Rebecca Head and I am from James Smith Cree Nation, I have resides on my home community the majority of my life. I have been with my life partner for 16 years and have been married for almost 9 years. I have 4 children, 3 sons ages 14, 7, and 5 and 1 daughter who is 11 years. I enjoy travelling, fishing, camping, sitting around a fire with a good cup tea and enjoy hearing stories from friends and family. I love being on the pow-wow trail every year with my family.
My education journey consists of graduating in 2004 from Bernard Constant Community School; I went on to raise my young family for many years. I returned to school at Cumberland College in Melfort to do some upgrading of my grade 12 back in 2013/14. I then continued my education with First Nations University of Canada in Prince Albert and Graduated with a certificate of Indigenous Social Work in 2017; I continued on to get my bachelors of Indigenous Social Work degree and had my convocation back in June of 2018. I have since been employed full time as the off-reserve/ family finders’ worker with Wahkotowin Child and Family Services Inc.
Brenda Constant
Prevention worker
Born Feb 17/62, in Kinistino,SK, to Mike and Jane (Sanderson) Burns. I Went to St. Michael’s residential School from 1968/1969, at 6 years old. Then I Attended School at Central School in James Smith till the age of 13. I then went to a foster home till I Married at age 18, quit drinking at age 25. Then I worked for NNADAP for 4 years under late George Stonestand in 1988-91. In 1992 to 1995 I lived in Edmonton, did upgrading, secretarial arts education worked in Alberta and Saskatchewan since then.
I have numerous training as an addictions/mental health counselor. I enjoy rubbing elbows with all kinds of people. I am caring and outgoing. Just celebrated my 38th wedding anniversary in November 15th 2018, and have 4 children, and 12 wonderful grandchildren.
Desiree Okemaysim
On-call Worker
I started my journey with Wahkotowin in 2010; I first started out as a camp counselor just for the summers. Then I went from being a summer counselor to working fulltime as an office manager. Then after that, I took numerous of training. But the one that stuck out to me was the SDM training, where I became the on-call worker. Because of these numerous training, I am now taking bachelor of social work.