Non Aboriginal Training Team

Father Francois Paradis omi
Winnipeg, MB

I am a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate since August 15, 1967. I was ordained in July 1972. My entire priestly ministry has been with the Ojibwa First Nations communities of Southern Manitoba. I was pastor in Sagkeeng and the surrounding First Nations for 17 years (1983-2000). After four years as pastor of Kateri Tekakwitha Aboriginal Parish in Winnipeg (2003-2007), Returning to Spirit became my full time ministry.

Reconciliation is the gift that I have been called to share. It has showed up in various ways within my pastoral activities. One of the ways has been in interreligious dialogue with First Nations’ spirituality. I have participated in countless First Nations’ ceremonies. My Master of Arts’ research paper was a reflection on my interreligious dialogue experiences. Now, reconciliation is brought forward in Returning to Spirit.

Since my certification as a trainer in January 2007, I have been on the Non-Aboriginal Core team delivering the Returning to Spirit workshops. I am pursuing my development as a trainer. Beyond reconciliation, I am very interested that a new partnership of equals be developed between the Church/Non-Aboriginal and the First Nations.

Gigi Jakobs
Calgary, AB

I was born and raised in northwestern British Columbia, left for a few years to attend University and then ended up back there in the late 1990s. After working in the geology and forestry industries, I was sponsored by the Diocese of Prince George to study theology at Newman Theological College in Edmonton Alberta. After five years serving at St. Mary's Parish in Prince George, I committed to full-time work with Returning to Spirit.

Returning to Spirit transformed my life. It gave me back to myself and created possibilities that I never dreamed existed.

Sister Olive Halpin mo
Winnipeg, MB

I was born and raised in the little French Canadian town of St. Eustache in Manitoba. My family moved to St. Boniface, Manitoba, where I finished high school and entered the Missionary Oblate Sisters (MO). After my training to become a sister, I completed my university degree (B.Ed) and received my Teacher’s Certificate. I taught for 25 years in both Catholic and public schools in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

I worked as host coordinator at our MO Renewal Center for three years, as director of our St Charles Retreat Centre for one year and as a support person in a centre for personal and spiritual growth for nine years. I am a certified translator and hold a certificate in Pastoral Studies.

In April 2005, I participated in the RTS 5-Day workshop and, in January 2006, I embarked on an adventure - that of being a trainer with the RTS program! It has been quite the ride - a transformative and empowering one! I am truly grateful!

Jacques Lafrance
Lorette, MB

I am originally from Hearst Ontario and have lived in Manitoba for the last 30 years. I am general manager of Light of the Prairies, a retreat and conference centre situated south-east of Winnipeg Manitoba.
I am a man of many interests and hobbies such as beekeeping, woodworking, singing in two choirs and many other life-giving projects.

I took my first RTS Workshop in May 2007. The workshop was the beginning of a transformational journey which continues today. I have experienced and seen true Reconciliation between First-Nation and non First-Nation people – a relationship I have come to love, so much so that I am now contributing to RTS as a Trainer in the delivery of Workshops and Seminars and also as Special Event Coordinator.

At the heart of my life is a deep desire to contribute in creating a better world by the way I live and by the choices I make.

Susan Everton
Winnipeg, MB

In March 2008, I was working as personnel minister for the All Native Circle Conference of the United Church of Canada, when I was invited to attend the Returning to Spirit 5-Day Ecumenical Workshop in Edmonton. Three weeks later I participated in the Reconciliation Workshop in Saskatoon. These two workshops changed my life and sent me down the path of developing as an RTS Trainer. Within a week I was participating in the Seminar Series and invited to the Trainer Development Program for Seminar Series Trainers.

I continued to work for the United Church full time while taking every opportunity to participate as a support trainer in the 5-day workshops and the seminar series. In December of 2009 I made the decision to let go of the full-time position with the United Church and shift to full-time work with Returning to Spirit. I began March 1st, 2010 as part-time office manager in the RTS Winnipeg Office and continue to participate as a developing trainer in the workshop and seminar series.
I am fully committed to the mandate of Returning to Spirit to bring reconciliation and healing to all of Canadian society and especially to the United Church communities I continue to connect with.

Susan Campbell
Prince George, BC

Susan Campbell is the Diretor of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Prince George, B.C. and is responsible for adult faith formation in the diocese.

She attended her first RTS 5-Day workshop in 2008 and the Reconciliation Workshop in 2010. She recently became a member of the non-Aboriginal trainers delivering the 5-Day Workshop. She is also co-facilitates the Seminar Series in Prince George.