b'ROLE MODELON LEADERSHIPDebra Vermette serves as a role model and leader not only at Beendigenwhere she helps women and children escape violencebut in her Indigenous community at large. Her skill at leading, she says, involves an ability to unite like-minded individuals toward mutual goals. Its a constant journey, she stresses, and one that takes a Beendigen has been a safe haven for Indigenous women and children for over 40 years willingness to watch, listen and learn from others. throughout the crisis home and otherONGOING EFFORT To me, a leader is a visionaryindi-agency programs. She continued toWhile she may have spearheaded manyviduals who can see the big picture and bring a team together with the goal of expand Beendigens team and programsof these initiatives, Vermette is quick tobringing it to life, says Vermette. And when she became its finance and humanpoint out that she wasnt acting alone.I dont just mean in business. Leaders resources manager in 2009 and then itsNone of these things I did alone. Imare in every aspect of our lives; they full-time Executive Director in 2016.fortunate to have an amazing teamare our mothers, fathers, family and that has supported Beendigens growthfriends. They are throughout our Helping Beendigen flourish is one of theevery step of the way, she emphasizes. communities and the world.many highlights of Vermettes work. One of the things Im proudest of is workingAnd the work is far from over. In thePrioritizing personal health and well-with the team to expand our scope andnear future, there are plans to purchasebeing is also a critical part of being a setting up a solid management foundationa new healing centre for Beendigen toleader, adds Vermette. She says there that would let the agency continue tomake room for more cultural program- is value in balancing ones business grow, she says.ming and offer space for other agencies.side with the cultural teachings of the Medicine Wheel and the Seven Vermette was also instrumental inWhile Vermettes work with BeendigenGrandfather teachings, as well as prac-securing new funding for critical agencyis marked with numerous milestonestising calming techniques such as daily resources and initiatives, such as theand successes, asked to name hermeditation and yoga.organizations Anti-Human Traffickingproudest achievement she immedi- As a leader, it is also your respon-program. Notably, in 2012, she played aately points to the long-term impactsibility to be well-rested and energized key role in getting Beendigens IndigenousBeendigen is making outside its doors.for your job, she insists. Do whatever Womens Help Line up and runningIt is playing a pivotal role in helpingis needed to take care of yourself, and across Northern Ontario and then inbreak the cycle of violence in the lives ofmake sure you manage your energy, expanding the program throughout thethe women it helps. because no job is worth your health.entire province in 2018. Another big win was her decision toMy biggest source of pride is when I partner with ONWA, a move she madesee one of the women out there in the after stepping into her role as Executivecommunity working, going to school, Director. Not only did this open the doorand getting her life on a path without to additional funding and resources, butviolence, explains Vermette. It makes the partnership connected Beendigen tome unbelievably happy to know that ONWAs Circle of Care program andwhile we may not be able to help supplied the agency with a new teamhundreds or thousands of women at a member who specialized in working withtime, every woman we can help makes a women who had experienced violencelasting impact.and were facing child welfare challenges. Its a ripple effect, adds Vermette. Right from when I first started here,When I look at these women who have I could see that a worker was neededcome through Beendigen and are now because we had a lot of women whoout there on a better path, I know that were not being heard, respected, or fairlytheir children and their childrens chil-represented by the child welfare agencies,dren are going to have a different view Vermette says. Having that dedicatedon life. Theyre going to have different advocate in their corner was important. Itopportunities because they were able to helps unite and keep families together.break that cycle of violence.Ontario Native Womens Association49'