Shanelle Brillon-Bath is a nehiyaw iskwew (Cree woman) of mixed ancestry from Treaty 6 & 8 Territory, and also English and Norwegian settler ancestors. She is a proud member of Wapsewsipi, Swan River First Nation in Kinuso, Alberta. Her late Moshum (grandfather) was her family’s last fluent Cree speaker, and is connected to Papaschase Cree Nation and has Métis ancestry also from the Red River.
Shanelle was born and raised on Coast Salish territory, currently residing on unceded kʷikʷəƛ̓əm land. She has a large family with kinship ties to many First Nations communities in BC. She is a mother to 3 french bulldogs. She is currently undertaking her Masters in Education at SFU.
She is a former youth in care, and believes in the learning and healing that comes from the connection to family, nature, ancestors, culture, and ceremony. Prior to her work in Gathering Our Medicine, Shanelle was the Indigenous Cultural Coordinator at the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre. Her work with Denise has given her insight into working alongside family and community and creating the relational context required for healing. This work has facilitated transformations that she hopes to share through story.