Bio
Jessie Arens,
she/they
Associate Director
Jessie grew up off-reserve in a small town on the western shore of the Tenàgàdino zìbi, unceded Anishinaabe territory. Having relocated to Tio’tia:ke in 2013 to pursue a degree in classical music, she then turned to studies in Indigenous literatures, policy and systems change alongside her work in decolonizing western systems of intervention and child welfare.
As a mixed Dutch and Eeyou woman, themes of cultural identity and decolonization shape and fuel her motivation for learning, unlearning and her contribution to the future and empowerment of Indigenous youth. Jessie actively turns to her connections to language, land, art and storytelling as a pathway to cultural and holistic wellbeing.
