Who works with us?
Aligned Projects, Partnership Organizations, and Sponsors
Turtle Island Wellness & Inclusivity Network
We believe strongly in the power of community and volunteer work. Here you will find both a list of organizations and projects we have given our time to and our current and past sponsors.
Leadership Roles
Syndel Thomas Kozar
Matriarch Council - Member
Appointed to the national Matriarch Council of Two-Spirits in Motion, contributing to leadership, cultural guidance, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous communities across Canada.
November 2025- Current
Indigenous Identities Verification Process Advisory Committee, Indigenous Youth Roots (IYR) - Advisory Member
● Appointed to a national advisory body guiding ethical approaches to Indigenous identity verification within community and organizational contexts
● Contributing lived experience and research-informed insight to shape culturally grounded, community-led verification processes
● Supporting the development of frameworks that respect self-determination, relational accountability, and distinctions-based understandings of Indigenous identity
December 2025 - Current
Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation - Youth Advisory Council Member
Appointed to the SCIC Youth Advisory Council, contributing to provincial dialogue on youth leadership, sustainable development, and global citizenship. Support the planning and implementation of youth engagement strategies across Saskatchewan, with a focus on justice-centered approaches to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
October 2025 - Current
People with Lived and Living Experience (PWLLE) Survey 2.0. Office of Drug Research and Surveillance (Health Canada) - Youth Engagement Committee Member
● Contributing to the second cycle of Health Canada’s PWLLE survey focused on substance use among racialized youth, including Indigenous youth.
● Provide lived experience insight as an Indigenous, neurodivergent youth with lived and living experience of systemic barriers.
● Advise on survey design, recruitment, ethics protocols, and interpretation of national data.
● Help ensure data collection is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the realities of those most impacted by substance use-related harms.
September 2025 - Current
Participatory Action Research (PAR) Finding Our Power Together Youth Council - Contributor
● Selected to participate in Finding Our Power Together’s Indigenous Youth Rising National Youth Council PAR process.
● Contributing lived experience and community-based perspectives to shape the formation of a national Indigenous youth council.
August 2-25 - Current
First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework-Implementation Team Member
● Appointed to the national Implementation Team supporting the rollout of the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework (FNMWCF)
● Collaborate with Indigenous leaders, community representatives, and mental health professionals to guide culturally grounded wellness initiatives
June 2025- Current.
Project Advisory Committee Legacy of Hope Foundation - Member
● Advising research for the Promoting Equity for Indigenous Women: Embedding Inclusivity in the Workplace through Innovative Strategies and Systems
March 2025 - Current
VOLUNTEER & BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Syndel Thomas Kozar
Federation of Integrated Youth Services Networks Youth Communications Advisory Team -Member
● Collaborated with youth nationwide on Pan-National communication strategies for Integrated Youth Services
August 2024 to January 2025
HOMEBASE, Saskatchewan Integrated Youth Services (SIYS) John Howard Society of Saskatchewan -Youth Co-Design Team Member
● Advised on service provision for youth and contributed to branding decisions for HOMEBASE (SIYS)
August 2023 to January 2025
Building Intercultural Resilience Mentorship (BIRM), University of Saskatchewan, Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement - Mentor
● Provide weekly mentorship to Indigenous high school students through culturally grounded leadership development, academic support, and community connection
August 2025 to Present
Reconciliation Melfort -Committee Member
Collaborate with Reconciliation Melfort to promote Indigenous visibility, education, and community-led initiatives for truth and reconciliation at the local level.
September 2024 to Present
Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) - Director
● Contribute to governance, policy development, and strategic oversight of provincial arts initiatives
● Advocate for genuine engagement with Indigenous communities in the arts
October 2024 to Present
Melfort Arts Council - Director
Attends regular board meetings, assists in planning and executing events and workshops, and supports nonprofit operations including reviewing reports and social media outreach.
November 2023 to Present
Youth Matter Canada - Supporter & Facilitator
Facilitate workshops and engagement sessions grounded in mental wellness, self-determination, and hope for Indigenous youth across Canada.
June 2021 to Present
Melfort Youth Evolution -Mentor & Facilitator
Facilitate workshops and engagement sessions grounded in mental wellness, self-determination, and hope for Indigenous youth across Canada.
June 2021 to Present
Contact us!
We'd love to hear from you. Have questions about our workshops or looking for customized care. Send us an email at turtleislandwic@theircollective.ca.
Sponsors
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Press Start
Learn MoreThe 2025 CoLab Program Grant - Start up costs for Turtle Island Wellness Network
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Ox-Fam Canada
Read about this workshop.Grant - Start Up Costs & First Session of "Representing Our Spirit: Ribbon Pants & Skirts Workshop"
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Government of Canada
Learn more about this workshop!Grant - Start Up Costs & First Session of "Representing Our Spirit: Ribbon Pants & Skirts Workshop"
Blog Posts & Media
Read blogs written by our members about Indigenous focused projects, supports, and possibilities.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
At Their Collective, we acknowledge that we are situated on the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples across Canada. We recognize the history and ongoing relationship that Indigenous communities have with these lands, and we honor the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions that enrich this territory.
In Treaty 2, where co-founder Megan Johnston resides, we acknowledge the Anishinaabe and Métis peoples, who have stewarded this land for generations. In Treaty 6, where co-founder Chelsea Bleau resides, we honor the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, and Dene peoples, among others, who have long-standing connections to this territory. We acknowledge the impact of colonization and the importance of decolonization efforts to restore Indigenous sovereignty and rights. We recognize the significance of the land to their cultural identity, spiritual practices, and community well-being.
As a national mental health business, we commit to best practices in cultural safety and trauma-informed care, ensuring that we respect and honor the stories of all individuals we serve. We understand that our work is situated within a broader context of reconciliation and healing, and we strive to actively support Indigenous voices in our initiatives.
Our policies state that we must always first attempt to access a 2SLGBTQIAP+, Neurodivergent, or Indigenous contractor or employee. Amplifying Indigenous voices is a role we take very seriously, and we are dedicated to ensuring that these perspectives are not only heard but also celebrated in our programs and practices.
Both Meg and Chelsea maintain personal anti-racism practices, recognizing that this is essential work we hope to facilitate at Their Collective. We aim to create an inclusive environment where everyone can engage in meaningful conversations about race, privilege, and systemic oppression.
We pledge to pay Indigenous artists, educators, and mental health professionals generously for their contributions and to elevate their expertise within our offerings. We believe in building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, recognizing that our collective healing and growth depend on honoring and respecting their rights and histories.
We invite everyone to join us in this commitment to learning, growth, and allyship as we work towards a more just and equitable society for all.
