Decolonizing Your Helping Practice

Facilitator: Melanie Bazin

Melanie (she/her) is our Director of Indigenous Services and works alongside the CTRI leadership team to envision the future of our organization and provide direction for our training services. She has a passion for decolonizing social systems and draws from her Metis heritage to incorporate Indigenous ways of being, learning, and helping into training and resources. Melanie works alongside CTRI’s Traditional Elder to guide staff and trainers in our organization’s reconciliation journey. In addition to her work with CTRI, Melanie provides Land-based therapy with Lil’ Steps Wellness Farm. She holds a Master of Social Work degree, with a focus on Indigenous Knowledges, is bilingual, and has over 18 years of experience as a social worker in the fields of child protection, addictions, and education. As a trainer, Melanie believes that learning and development are crucial for helpers to deliver meaningful services based on best practices. She enjoys incorporating collaborative and experiential learning into her workshops, and creates an atmosphere of safety and respect for participants. Melanie embraces diversity and values the wisdom and knowledge gained from life experiences.