Daniel completed his first degree in Psychology at Carleton University followed by a graduate certificate with Georgian College. During this period, Daniel worked closely with Indigenous communities through his employment with the Canadian Mental Health Association with a focus on concurrent disorders. His work with the community resulted in a return to school where he completed a BSW with a Northern Focus through Lakehead University. Daniel continued his work with marginalized communities in the field of trauma until the completion of his Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work through Sir Wilfrid Laurier University. His graduate studies were primarily focused on complex developmental trauma and grief.
Daniel has been employed within the field of mental health since 2003. He has extensive experience working with individuals, families, and groups. He is a staunch believer in community work and the role of the family in the healing process. He has worked on developing programming and services for individuals and communities, including the implementation of culturally safe programming for children and adults. Daniel believes in mentorship and has provided this through a decade of supervising placement students.
For the past 5 years, Daniel has been residing in Nunavut (primarily Iqaluit and Pond Inlet) and working within the field of mental health. He has worked closely with the community in creating meaningful support, healing, and educational initiatives.
Over the past three years, Daniel has been the Clinical Director of the Umingmak Centre--the first Child and Youth advocacy Centre in Nunavut focused on supporting children, adolescents and their respective families following a disclosure of child maltreatment (i.e., sexual, physical, neglect and exposure to violence and conflict). In this role and in consultation with community partners, Daniel has helped create a treatment model for childhood trauma towards the holistic healing of young Inuit children and youth.
His genuine presence, ready smile, and infectious laugh have touched many lives in Nunavut, and it is an honour for his peers to recognize his dedication to the Social Work profession, and to those he has served so well during this time.