Bio of Alison Recollet-Simon Balance of Fire Woman I am Anishinabe Kwe from Wikwemikong, Bear Clan and have made changes in life at age 25. I received my spirit name at age 25, told by an Elder I was ready to receive my Anishnabemowin Nooswin. N’nuknea Shkwodea Kwe. My spirit helpers are the Little People. I like to acknowledge my parents: the late Sheila Recollet (Shigwadja) who worked at Mindemoya Hospital , who shared her knowledge and language to first nations people and John Recollet, who is a residential school survivor and knowledge keeper. I am the eldest of three daughters. I am a mother of 3 sons and a daughter and grandmother of 12 grandchildren. My life has led me to healing from violence, sexual abuse, reclaiming my identity and to different trainings and employment. Places I have worked: ●Wellness Educator Promoter and Strengthening the Medicine Wheel Coordinator (Violence Prevention Program for Men) at the Wikwemikong Health Centre. ●N’Gwagan Gamig Treatment Centre delivering the Partner Assault Response Program (Mandatory Violence Education Program) for men whom have assaulted their partners. I have added the native component and teachings to the program. ●John Howard Society of Toronto as a Native Inmate Liaison Officer which has given the opportunity to work at various places, such as my main office at the East Detention Centre and working at Keele Correctional Centre and the homeless at St. Christopher House. ●“Grandmothers Mobilizing Communities Against Human Trafficking” which is now Keegadowak Grandmother’s Council. We had the opportunity to present in Ottawa for Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Day on February 22, 2019. ●Nookamis for Ontario Native Women’s Association for traditional support in their Circle of Care Program Training. ● My Violence training started in 1999 with Level One Family Violence Training Module from Martens and Associates. This training was very informative about family violence and sexual offenders. The Forgiveness Journey, where I learned to forgive my offenders and trained to co-facilitate. The Fireweed Project was training to train frontline workers who work with men who have been sexually abused as boys. This training has given me the opportunity to deliver this training to front line workers. I have received training from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, “The Eastern Doorway Aboriginal Orientation Program for Men” and “The Understanding the Journey Aboriginal Orientation Program for Women.” There was a calling for Grandmothers to participate in the “Project Northern Outreach” which is a part of PACT Ottawa’s awareness initiatives in Human Trafficking. Project Northern Outreach is part of PACT-Ottawa’s human trafficking awareness initiatives. The focus on outreach in the North Shore came from relationship between Ojibwe Grandmother, Isabelle Meawasige, Serpent River First Nations, and co-founder of PACT, Sheila Smith, RSCJ. The main project objective is to create partnerships among PACT, a core circle of Anishinaabek Grandmothers and frontline workers to address sex trafficking and exploitation in Anishinabek communities. An Anishinaabe worldview respects Grandmothers as authorities, educators and keepers of their cultural and foundational laws. International Bridge Walk Against Human Trafficking in Sault Ste. Marie is our Annual Big Event which I initiated and acknowledge the administration work by Donna Pangowish. My most recent training is “Beauty from Ashes” at the Dan Pine Healing Lodge in Garden River First Nation. I am currently involved with the Mnidoo Mnising Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The Manitoulin and Area Coalition Against Human Trafficking and (MACEHT) Manitoulin & Area Coalition to End Human Trafficking. Boards I have served: PACT OTTAWA-Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans Membership United Urban Warrior Society of Manitoulin and North Shore Area Working Together Citizens’ Advisory Committees to the Correctional Service of Canada Toronto Urban Aboriginal Strategy Steering Committee Mekwatawgsajig Council, Manitoulin Health Centre” Traditional Advisory Committee, Mnaamodzawin Noojmowin Teg Health Centre Wikwemikong Board of Education Committee Wikwemikong Heritage Organization Committee N’gwagan Gamig Recovery Centre Board of Director and President. My work has given opportunities to share my journey of healing and deliver traditional teachings, resources, and practices. As an advocate I saw a lack of resources on family violence pertaining to Anishinabek so I made my own resources on my YouTube channel, which can be accessed by click the icon at the bottom of this page.
It has been 25 years since my trauma of death and coming back to life. This has lead me to share my experiences openly as a teaching tool with Nookamis Mkwa Okiijidaa Kwe Healing Staff. She has an important message to share about “Balance” and support those who are seeking healing and justice for victims of violence. She is taken to places when requested. With 29 years of healing, I have found and accepted my purpose as Balance of Fire Woman.
