Indigenous Family Centre
Team
Nathalie Vander Zaag
Nathalie Vander Zaag is the Children and Families Coordinator of the Indigenous Family Centre. She is a Haitian-born Canadian who has lived in Winnipeg for a little over 20 years. She received her psychology degree from Canadian Mennonite University and is currently completing her masters in psychotherapy. She is passionate about supporting families and Kids Club programming. She strives for Kids Club to be a space for friendship, creativity and most importantly FUN!
Connie Budd
Connie Budd is from Norway House Cree nation, and is the Elder at the Indigenous Family Centre.
Anita Ramos-Piper
Anita Ramos-Piper has been with the IFC for the last 4 years, and is now Co-Leader of Kids Programming. She's been part of both the the Summer Kids Camp program and the After School program. She recently graduated from Churchill High School and is currently studying Criminal Justice at the University of Winnipeg.
Janessa Giesbrecht
Janessa’s role as Handcraft Coordinator allows her to bring together two great passions in her life: social justice and craft. Much of her joy is composed by sitting in a circle of women and men, creating, listening and sharing. Sewing ever since her Grandmother put a needle and thread in her hands, if she isn’t to be found in front of textiles, looms, beads or leather, she will be out for a hike or paddling a canoe.
Codie Rain Swan
Feathers
Feathers' ancestors came from the arid forests of Australia, but he has made Winnipeg his home since he was an egg. He became part of the IFC team in 2011 and loves Ritz crackers, bannock, and celery along with his usual bird seed. Stop by to meet him in his usual place by the window where he keeps watch on Selkirk Avenue.
Shannon Perez
Shannon Perez is Sayisi Dene First Nation and is from Winnipeg. She currently works as the Executive Director at Indigenous Family Centre and as the Justice and Reconciliation Mobilizer for the Christian Reformed Church in NA. Shannon has a degree in Native Studies and has experience with Boards, Trusts and committees. Her time outside of work is spent with her three children and husband, helping out family and friends, reading and most recently gardening.
Michele Visser-Wikkerink
Michele Visser-Wikkerink is the Grant and Programming Coordinator at the IFC. She grew up in Southern Ontario and is a graduate of Kuiper College. She began working as a youth pastor in Winnipeg in 1989 and has made Winnipeg her home since that time. She is married to Robert Visser and has two grown sons and a young daughter.
Her work has always centered on her interests in food security, social justice, and matters pertaining to marginalized people. She is the author of several textbooks including People and Stories of Canada to 1867 and The World Today, its People and Places. She has also written articles for The Globe and Mail and The Winnipeg Free Press and contributed to educational materials for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Blair Jonasson
Blair is the Building Manager at the IFC.
Codie Rain Swan is the Co-Leader of Kids Programming, and has been with the IFC for the last 6 years. He has been a part of the Summer Camp program, as well as the After School program, Education program, and Alumni group. Codie has his certification in Business Administration from Herzing College which he completed this year!