I am a queer identified individual who is fascinated with how people work, why we do what we do, how what we experience shapes us, and the role we have in this. I’m a co-creator, human being, child, partner, friend. I’m a teacher and a student, a story teller and a listener who would love to hear your story.

For a bit of my story, I've been stuck and burnt out. I've been in the position of following the path society and my parents and family laid out for me. I was just going through the motions instead of living my life. Realizing this, I got off the path and started creating my own. I pursued yoga and meditation. I performed burlesque. I sat naked on a stage reading stories aloud. I walked away from what had become a soul sucking job. I pursued joy and pleasure. I found breathwork, or maybe it found me. I’m now building an amazing life with my wife and our two cats. And creating a village of connections with amazing people that I’m excited for you to be part of!

For those who like the credentials info I have a BA in psychology, 500+hr training in Yoga, 100hr training in Ayurveda, 400hr training in breathwork/somatics/dyads/ceremony to become a Certified Numa Somatics Facilitator, and Certified Breath Coach. I have trained in physical and mental health first aid, suicide and self harm prevention, leadership and more.

Kisikaw pimotew was born and raised on the Samson Indian Reserve in the maskwacis territory in 1957. He attended two years at Erminskin residential school in Hobbema. Both his parents went to residential school.

In 1990, a school mate from residential school was beat to death. This changed Kisikaw Pimotew's life forever and he has since committed his life to making a positive difference.

He is an electrician by trade and a certified hypnotherapist by profession. He does energy work as a healing modality. Lately, his work has been Equine therapy to deal with the trauma especially with the residential school experience. He served three terms on council for Samson Band. He believes in private enterprise and has been self-employed. In addition to his role on the Sounding Board, Kisikaw Pimotew is helping us to prototype the Losstender Mentor role.

Jane Slessor MSW, RSW is a white settler occupier who lives in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, Treaty 6 territory, Métis Region 4. Jane has been a social worker since 2005 and has spent most of her career working alongside, and being taught by, people experiencing homelessness, and all the other things that can go along with homelessness, in the inner city in Amiskwaciwâskahikan.

More recently, Jane has begun teaching social work as a sessional instructor with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work Central and Northern Alberta Region. She was part of the team that created Soloss as a consultant with REACH Edmonton’s “24/7 Connector” as it was known then.

Jane sees the Losstender role as a break from the how-we-have-always-done-it approach to service delivery and shift towards collective healing and liberation. In her free time, Jane is a yoga instructor, an aspiring gardener, an enthusiastic Boler glamper, and an expert squirrel whisperer.

I would probably begin by saying that there are various levels to any bio - on one level, I'm Persian - born in Iran - lived there until the age of 10 at which point my mother sent me to England to get an education. My father left my mother when she became pregnant with me and this has been a beautifully complex and significant motivator for growth and more.

I lived in England during my teens and twenties - studied French, German and philosophy at university - and my plan was to travel - find myself while teaching English.

Since my 20s, I've been on an outer and inner journey of finding my home, getting to be at ease in my skin, tenderizing towards my history, unlearning and learning ...

At some point, I had a (night) dream that I was walking on Canadian soil and loved it. Some years later, life brought me to Canada. Here, I've had a number of different lives - being a yoga teacher, working as an education assistant. Currently, I'm a cultural health broker (supporting new immigrants and refugees). For many years I wanted to be a psychologist and began that path and chose instead to become a somatic life-coach which is part of what I "do" today. I love learning and am about to embark on another training (qi gong for women) ...

On a more personal level, I'm not in a relationship and have no children - tending to the child(ren) within! What I enjoy is quietude, nature, movement, being present and authentic in my relationships.

Persia, England and Canada each have their imprint in me. I also appreciate the place in me that goes beyond culture and language - which connects to that place in another.

Connection is a deep bond in which you develop awareness between yourself and the external world. Through this awareness, your identity as well as the ability to comprehend and communicate with others evolves. As you continue to develop and make more meaningful connections, the more grounded you may feel, in who you are and how you interact with the world.

Jason helps to facilitate this connection through the curiosity of one’s experience and using that to explore and support what it means to move authentically within yourself as well as with others. Through this intuitive process, Jason is able to help support you and what it means to be a losstender. Additionally, Jason works to help deconstruct shame and how it impacts your ability to seek support as well as to provide support for others.

Compassion, empathy, curiosity and community are the foundations in which Jason builds these connections.

Jason is a registered acupuncturist in good standing with the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA) and a registered provisional psychologist in good standing with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). Jason has completed over 11 years of formal education studying the mind-body dynamic and over a decade of experience working with the human condition. When not in the clinic, Jason can be seen living his best life either playing volleyball, on the patio enjoying time with friends or vibing to the music at live shows.

Dana Wylie is a singer of rare gift and a crafter of deeply felt and sharply observed songs. Penguin Eggs magazine once called her the only artist about whom they have “felt comfortable comparing favourably to Joni Mitchell in the scope of her talent EVER.”

Cutting short a promising career in the Canadian theatre scene at 23, Dana moved to the unlikely locale of Taiwan, where she cut her musical teeth playing with jug bands, blues bands, bluegrass bands and cover bands, singing jazz in hotel lounges, and doing some of the most bizarre corporate gigs you could possibly imagine. Moving to the UK in 2005, she formed her own band and toured steadfastly for five years, releasing three critically-praised albums in the process. She then landed back in Canada in 2010 to pursue graduate studies in musicology.

Dana’s 2017 record The Earth That You’re Made Of earned her a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Contemporary Singer of the Year, and was described by journalist and programmer Peter North as “one of the finest contemporary roots recordings to have ever been produced in Alberta, period.” She debuted her critically acclaimed theatrical song-cycle Makings of a Voice in 2021, released her sixth solo album How Much Muscle in early 2023, will release an album of original country duets with Sammy Volkov later this year, and will record an album with new soul/rock/roots group Secondhand Dreamcar this fall.

Yusi is a multidisciplinary creative community builder who uses art as a way to connect and heal with others. Her passion has driven her to explore the meaning behind humanity and what that looks like.

This introverted somali woman has spice and isn't afraid to use it. As a hip hopper, she's learning how to build a practice that brings knowledge of self into a Healthy movement, a Loving mindfulness, a trusting Awareness and Wealth within herself and those around her.

My spirit name is Pisim Iskwew (Sun Women) and my government name is Karen Bruno. I am original from Samson Band, and I am nehiyawi (Cree), Dion- Buffalo on my mother side and Mever/Wager on my father side.

I have 3 adult children and 3 grand babies. I currently live in Alexander First Nation where my partner is from. I have spent most of my life living in Edmonton where I raised my family and worked in the Inner City for 30 years.

I would like to think my knowledge come from my experience living in poverty, with addiction and homelessness. Also from my education, work experience and must importantly my cultural knowledge from ceremony.

I currently spend my time working trying have an influence in changing systems for our people to end poverty, my grandchildren, pow wow trails, cultural events, ceremony and gathering medicine in the summer. As for the winter, I am like a bear, I rest and rejuvenate.

I have a small circle of friends that I keep close for support and value family.

As I reach retirement, I have always been proud of who I am and what I have done for community and our people. I believe creator provide guidance and trusting in creator’s plan.

With respect.

Naheed Amjad moved to Canada in 2002 in search of a better life and opportunities, and it became the catalyst for her incredible journey towards transforming the lives of vulnerable families. She holds an MS in General Psychology and an M Phil in Applied Psychology from Pakistan.

Her expertise lies in working with immigrant, newcomer, and refugee families who face unimaginable challenges, particularly in the realm of violence. As the Programs Lead for the IslamicFamily dedicated to empowering survivors of family violence, she has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that have brought about tangible change. Beyond her role as Programs Lead, she holds the esteemed position of chair of the Immigrant Family Violence Prevention Committee in Edmonton since 2017.

Recognized for her exceptional work, she has received an Inspiration Award from Government of Alberta in 2022, for her tireless efforts in ending family violence and her innovative approaches to tackling complex challenges. Moreover, she brings her expertise to a team that provides vital training to service providers in Edmonton and the surrounding area, equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to combat family violence effectively.

Additionally, she is a Grief Recovery Specialist who provides invaluable support to those grappling with various forms of grief and loss. Her compassionate guidance and expertise bring comfort to individuals, helping them find the strength to embrace their grief, honour their memories, and ultimately embark on a journey of healing and transformation.She is an alumni Sounding board member with Soloss.