HON Staff

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  Julie Thomas

  Program Manager

  Julie started at HON as a Summer student in 2005, cost sharing with her band, Paq'tnkek First Nation. After two summer positions, in 2007, Julie completed her student placement at HON through NSCC. After her placement she was hired on as the Hepatitis C Coordinator. In 2008 she became one of the Community Health Educators, 2013 Program Manager and in 2015 Executive Director.

  I truly believe that Culturally Relevant Interactive Education is the key to preventing transmission and new infections, reducing stigma and discrimination and increasing access to treatment for HIV, Hepatitis and other Sexually Transmitted Blood Borne Infections, within our Indigenous communities across Atlantic Canada.

  jthomas@unsm.org
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  Valerie Hanson

  Part-time Bookkeeper

  vhanson@unsm.org
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  Arthur “Dave” Miller – Community Health Educator

  Community Health Educator

  Arthur ‘Dave’ Miller is a 45-year-old Mi’kmaq HIV activist with over 10 years experience working with and supporting many service organizations across Canada in both paid and volunteer capacities. Dave’s work as an HIV activist spans Global organizations who are most focused on the impacts of individuals and communities living with HIV. With Healing Our Nations, Dave is a Community Health Educator working with 33 Atlantic First Nation Communities. As the Atlantic HIV Stigma Index Coordinator with REACH Nexus (St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto) at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions coordinates a team of peer researchers. Dave has been seated in various Board Positions for Canadian Organizations throughout his career, currently sitting as the Chair for Canadian Aids Society, also as a member of the Advisory Committee for Sexual Health Information Exchange Labrador District (SHIELD). Dave has successfully coordinated 4 national projects including a national project for the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network about gender inclusivity with a special focus on Trans experiences; he was also Co-Coordinator for the 6th International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV and AIDS in Durban, South Africa with the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS. Dave is a community builder, a fun, free-spirited guy who serves his communities in whatever way he can. He received the 2014 Atlantic Canada Volunteer of the Year award and 2016 Halifax Regional Municipality Volunteer Award. Dave is committed to his belief in a better future for HIV testing, treatment and care and works tirelessly to educate to stop the stigma and discrimination associated with living with HIV and AIDs. amiller@unsm.org
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  Cassidy McKellop – Community Health Coordinator

  Community Health Coordinator

  Cassidy McKellop is a 22-year-old Mi’kmaw woman from Lennox Island First Nation. Cassidy was born and raised in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. She received her Child and Youth Care Worker diploma from Holland College. Cassidy started her journey into learning more about her culture back in 2017 when she made the decision to take part in the “Walking The Red Road” and become a warrior on the Tall Ship Journey with 3 Things Consulting. 45 indigenous youth from all over Canada sailed from Halifax to France in 30 days and got to explore Paris for a day. Cassidy also attended the “Canada We Want Conference” to be a indigenous representative for the Prime Minister in 2018. The last trip was to Kenya through ACIC & NCGC for an internship to exchange cultures for four months. Cassidy came to Healing Our Nations from Native Council of PEI as their Youth Justice Worker. She is so excited to work with Indigenous youth and all First Nation communities from across Atlantic Canada. cmckellop@unsm.org