• 40 + years of nursing mainly with a public health/perinatal focus in BC & MB
• Worked in several pilot projects including Maternity Early Discharge Program (Wpg & Kamloops), Antenatal Home Care Program (Wpg), Early Childhood Screening (Fraser Health, BC) & setting up a Breastfeeding Café and Breastfeeding Peer Support program with local CPNP group (Surrey. BC).
• Certificate in midwifery from UK (1981)
• Current certification (until 2021) as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (since 1996)
• Part – time Douglas College instructor of breastfeeding courses since 1999 – has taught in Kamloops, Vancouver Island, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, & Winnipeg
• Lived in a First Nation community in NE MB (Pauingassi) as a child with ongoing current family connections to several Indigenous communities in MB & NW ON (on the Berens River Watershed)
• Has a passion for supporting all women in meeting their breastfeeding goals but particularly women from culturally diverse backgrounds and/or experiencing health equity challenges.
• Retired from nursing in early 2019 including a move from BC back to Wpg to be closer to large extended family.
• Loves to read, hike and spend time with family including watching her grandsons play soccer & hockey (when not in pandemic lock-down).
• Current chair of Winnipeg Breastfeeding Network
• Member of Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Centre (MILC) Club
• Member of BCLCA (BC Lactation Consultant Association) & CLCA (Canadian Lactation Consultant Association)
• Member of 2 faith-based committees – local church Indigenous-Settler Relations Working Group; We are All Treaty People committee
• Current goals:
o Practicing life-long learning
o Increasing proficiency at online teaching
o Exploring the Ally role in connecting with Indigenous peoples –all dimensions including spiritual & social justice issues