Healing Systems: Through Trauma-Responsive Practices

Dawn Isaac is Anishinaabe-ikwe from Sagkeeng First Nation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human Ecology and a Masters degree in applied communications. She has several years of experience in research & training with a focus on intergenerational, developmental, and organizational trauma as well as Indigenous issues in both a historical and current context. She is passionate about promoting a wide-spread understanding of trauma-informed and trauma-responsive services as a best practice approach across multiple sectors. Dawn is also committed to advancing Indigenous knowledge(s), resilience, healing practices, and creating safe spaces, as well as fostering reconciliatory relationship building. Dawn spent more than a decade working as part of an intergenerational team (grandmother-mother-granddaughter) facilitating workshops and healing sessions on intergenerational trauma and resilience. Through this transfer of knowledge, she has been part of an interdisciplinary team developing a Reconciled Healing Model as an overarching clinical framework for organizations in the healing and helping profession. Dawn has also worked closely with Dr. Sandra Bloom, to pilot Creating Presence; a new and innovative clinical approach to transform organizations and foster trauma-resilient practices.

Deanne Evans brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Senior Training, Marketing and Communications Specialist at Marymound. With a background in Public Health with the WRHA and extensive experience in training, organizational development, Human Resources, marketing and communications, Deanne holds a Human Resources Management Certificate from the University of Manitoba and a Marketing diploma from the University of Waterloo.

Her contributions at Marymound are multifaceted, including conducting organization-wide training assessments, developing and managing internal training programs, facilitating professional development, and overseeing internal and external training budgets. Deanne is instrumental in facilitating a variety of training sessions, including PRESENCE Introduction Training, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training, Healing Systems and onboarding for new Marymound staff.

Deanne has co-developed strategic plans for fund development and training, supported the planning and delivery of conferences, workshops and community events, and played a key role in launching the MM Training Centre. Her work brings together training, event planning, marketing, communications and relationship-building to support organizational growth and community engagement.

Previously, Deanne co-chaired Marymound’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, supporting initiatives that foster a respectful, inclusive and welcoming workplace environment.

Deanne recently completed Bereavement Support Groups: Advanced Facilitator Training through Wilfrid Laurier University, further expanding her skills in facilitating grief and bereavement support groups.

Her approach to training and facilitation is grounded in relationship-building, practical application, continuous learning and creating spaces where people feel supported, respected and empowered to grow.