Who are we?

N8WKIKA - FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

WHAT IS THE N8WKIKA PROGRAM?

The First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) of W8banaki wishes to celebrate the W8banaki Nation and its roots by giving itself a name in the Abenaki language. This is why the social services for the families of Odanak and W8linak are called N8wkika (pronounced Naonwkéka) which means "to sow in the long term".

Working for the well-being of families means making a long-term commitment -sowing seeds-; accompanying and supporting several generations who want the best for their children.

Some Abenaki organizations also work to provide child and family services, including the CPE, the CPDA, the Band Council and the Health Center. All are important partners and share common goals, all offer complementary services. That's why the stakeholders involved are always working to coordinate actions in community to best meet the service needs of children, families and the community.

WHAT ARE THE SERVICES OFFERED TO CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY?

The main services deployed are front-line services, which may also be referred to as community-based prevention services from time to time. The community intervention that will be done gradually through this approach aims to create social and community conditions favorable to the full development of children, young people and families. In short, it is about providing services that will contribute to the social development of Odanak and Wôlinak, with the aim of promoting the safety and development of children.

ARE THERE ANY EXAMPLES OF PREVENTION SERVICES?

Examples of prevention services that have been offered to communities in the Abenaki Nation to date include:

  • Access to front-line services and personalized follow-up (voluntary basis)
  • Access to a family room in each community
  • Groups of parents, support groups and diverse groups who have developed a particular project
  • Training on various subjects (parenting skills, family budget management, educational or community activities, etc.)
  • Activities or outings parents-children, grandparents-children, family
  • Speaker visits chosen or suggested by the community
  • Other suggestions and special requests from citizens or partner organizations.
 
Do not hesitate to contact any of the members of the team to obtain information or give us your suggestions.
 

"IT TAKES ALL A COMMUNITY TO RAISE A CHILD."

OUR TEAM

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DENYS BERNARD

GENERAL MANAGER
Always on the lookout for business opportunities, Denys sees to the development and growth of the organization. His vision allows W8banaki to effectively serve our communities according to our mission, but also to export our expertise to many Indigenous communities and private organizations. In addition, Denys plays, among other things, a representative role for the Nation. He supervises, manages and administrates the various funding programs, services and projects underway at W8banaki. He is also responsible for supervising staff and ensuring that institutional values and established performance requirements are met.
Nikita Zewski 2023

NIKITA ZEWSKI

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER AND COMMUNICATIONS
Whether it is through graphic communication, communication plans, public relations or new information technologies, Nikita must control the different information that circulates and take care of the image of the two communities. In addition, she is in charge of the liaison between the general management and the various departments. Nikita works closely with the Executive Director by participating in the elaboration of the business development strategy and in the coordination of administrative activities, human resources and operations.
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JULIE CLEARY

SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR
With a bachelor's degree in psycho-education and a master's degree in administration, as well as several years of management experience, Julie supervises, manages and administers the social services department. She skilfully pilots a wide range of priority files that contribute to the development of the Abenaki Nation. Her training, experience and skills are major assets for our organization.
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LAURE TARDIF

FRONT-LINE SERVICES COORDINATOR
Laure is responsible for training, service development and the DYP agreement and must ensure that services meet the needs of families in the community. She ensures consistency in front-line services. She also works with partners to ensure that consultation develops. Laure links clinical needs, community needs and the services that must be associated with them. She has a decision-making role in confirming the offer of services. She is also a youth protection respondent.
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VALÉRIE LAFORCE

SCHOOL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
She initiates, manages and supervises Niona projects that are developed in collaboration with the educational community. Her mandate is carried out in particular through her role as head of the Table en éducation pour les jeunes Abénakis (Education Table for Young Abenakis), which brings together partners working in various educational environments. It acts as a reference-liaison between the educational and Abenaki communities.
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JENNY M'SADOQUES BENOIT

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
With a CEA in administrative work with First Nations combined with her extensive knowledge of the Abenaki community, Jenny is able to support the management and the members of the social services team on the administrative level.
Raphaëlle O'Bomsawin

RAPHAËLLE O'BOMSAWIN

SOCIAL WORKER
Raphaëlle meets the needs of individuals, families and groups from the communities of Odanak and Wôlinak to enable them to understand and solve their behavioural and social issues. She works with individuals with bio-psycho-social difficulties, provides individual follow-ups and participates in prevention activities.
Sonia Fiset

SONIA FISET

CULTURAL ANIMATOR
Of Abenaki origin, Sonia takes her roots, cultural values and concern for the well-being and development of young Abenaki people to heart. As a cultural facilitator, she works with children, teenagers and families in the context of intervention, community activities and in schools. Sonia designs, organizes and supervises educational and cultural activities. In addition, her mission is to promote and value the expression and development of young Abenaki people.
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MARC-OLIVIER O'BOMSAWIN

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AGENT
Marc-Olivier shares his expertise in cultural matters so that the projects developed by N8wkika are in line with the traditions of the Nation. He also acts as a support for the different activities, more particularly for the projects concerning the 11-17 years old. Marc-Olivier also participates in the elaboration of different cultural trainings.
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KASSANDRA LEFEBVRE

DEVELOPMENT AGENT
Kassandra comes to support the various activities held at Espace Maskwa in Wôlinak.
Mathieu O'Bomsawin

MATHIEU O'BOMSAWIN

PROJECT COORDINATOR WITH PARTNERS
He initiates, manages and supervises Niona projects that are developed in conjunction with partners outside the educational community. His role also includes sharing his specific expertise in cultural matters, particularly in terms of language, history, territory and traditions.
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KARINE ST-AUBIN

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
As an Abenaki from W8linak, Karine is the community organizer for the communities of W8linak and Odanak. She supports and accompanies the program team in the planning and organization of community activities and projects. Karine also ensures that prevention objectives are integrated into each of the actions.
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CHLOÉ DANEAU

SOCIAL WORKER
Chloé, as a community worker, contributes to the implementation of the Niona project. With a constant presence during the cultural workshops, she ensures the smooth running of the project and intervenes with teenagers from the communities of Wôlinak and Odanak. In addition, Chloé offers individual follow-up services by providing significant assistance, quality listening and support to members of the Abenaki communities.
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ZOÉ PLOURDE

INTERVENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Zoé participates in the development and follow-up of programs and intervention activities of the Social Services Department. As part of her mandate, she establishes priorities and manages specific situations. She also contributes to the evaluation and allocation process of service requests.
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JONATHAN DE ROY

COMMUNITY WORKER
With his great energy and skills, Jonathan develops and supports community actions for young people between the ages of 6 and 17, while ensuring that Abenaki culture is integrated into all youth actions.
Gabriel Bordeleau-Landry

GABRIEL BORDELEAU-LANDRY

COMMUNITY ANIMATOR
Gabriel has a strong cultural and community approach that is reflected in his daily role as a community facilitator. He ensures that Abenaki culture is integrated into all youth activities and supports his colleagues working with a clientele aged 6 to 17.
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MAÏKA LANDRY

COMMUNITY ANIMATOR
As an Abenaki from W8linak, Maïka is a community organizer for Odanak and W8linak. She is involved in planning and organizing activities for 0-17 year olds and families.
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CAROLINE M'SADOQUES BENOIT

COMMUNITY ANIMATOR
As an Abenaki from Odanak, Caroline is the community animator for Odanak and W8linak. She is involved in planning and organizing activities for 0-17 year-olds, as well as for families.