Community Mental Health Worker
E-Mail: mentalhealthworker@sagamok.ca
Office Phone: 705-865-2192 ext. 204
Work Cell: 705-863-0378
Office Location: Saswin
Work Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Msko-aankwad kwe dizhinkaaz, Makwa Dodem. My English name is Bernadette Southwind,  I was born in Sagamok. I am a mother, sister, auntie, and great auntie. I am a descendant from a strong residential school survivor. I am a 60's scoop survivor. The journey to working for our community in wellness has been a long road. Foremost, I am grateful to announce that I have been celebrating sobriety for the past 18 years. With this gift and many others, I became a Community Mental Health worker for Sagamok, “I am a helper”. Previous to my position here I completed my secondary education in Sagamok Adult Ed. Shortly thereafter, I completed a micro-business computer course with Cambrian college. The road to healing and discovery of myself lead to completing a course in Social Services with an Indigenous Specialization at Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology. This experience led me to work with a research team, implementing Aboriginal Worldview into the Nursing Program. I ‘ve been privileged to work with the homeless as program coordinator for JamesTown Soup Kitchen in Sault Ste. Marie. For two years I volunteered at a detox center, providing emotional support and encouragement as needed. This journey brought on many experiences helping those in need. I attended Algoma University, a former residential school, and studied sociology. It was a spiritual experience. I came back home to my ancestral roots 5 years ago and acted as project-coordinator for the Meshkoogoobwidiik  program. This was a rewarding experience as participants, elders and community members united to bring forth gifts for the well-being of our community.  I now recognize there are pivotal moments which bring us to where we are! Today, I bring to the MHA team lived experience, academia, compassion, love, clinical aspects, identity based method, and seeking safety approaches to addressing challenges. Most importantly, the door is always open, biindigeg!