Hello to all. My name is Nadia Salmaniw. My Haida name is S’ahn N’ahn Guu’as which translates to-the girl who sings. I am a mixed heritage Ukrainian and Haida woman. As my home community is on Haida Gwaii, I have been a grateful visitor on the traditional Lekwungen and Coast Salish lands since my childhood.
I hold a bachelor’s degree from McGill University in Psychology, with a focus on Addictions and Indigenous studies, and a graduate diploma in mental health and addictions. I am a multi-generational residential school survivor, and my family has been deeply impacted by addictions and mental health challenges. I myself am on my healing journey, having personally experienced depression during my university years. I have been meditating and practicing mindfulness for the past 8 years and it has become a vital medicine in my life. I feel inspired and lit up when I am given the opportunity to share these experiences with others.
My journey at VNFC started on Valentines Day of 2013 and I feel so grateful to be serving as the Director of the CEER team. I am a seeker, who looks for the beauty in the simple things in life and finds joy in being on the land, human connection, and nourishing food shared with loved ones.
