Where Tradition Meets Transformation
Our Approach
Empowering Indigenous youth through culturally grounded harm reduction and prevention education to build resilience, enhance health, and strengthen community well-being for a brighter and healthier future.
At Aunties Insights, we partner with Indigenous organizations, communities, and leaders to develop programming that is both educational and culturally safe. Our focus is on creating accessible harm reduction and prevention education that meets the unique needs of each community and age group.
Our team, currently comprised of two dedicated aunties, brings a wealth of passion, and lived experience. As Indigenous professionals, we offer deep insights into the challenges facing our youth and a heartfelt commitment to their success.
Through our work, we strive to empower Indigenous youth and support their journey toward a healthier and more resilient future.
Cultural Humility
Honoring and integrating Indigenous traditions, knowledge, and practices into all aspects of our harm reduction and prevention efforts, ensuring that our approach is culturally relevant and respectful.
Empowerment
Fostering a sense of self-efficacy and confidence in Indigenous youth by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to make informed decisions and lead healthier lives.
Resilience
Building the capacity of Indigenous youth to overcome challenges and adapt positively in the face of adversity, promoting mental and emotional strength.
Health and Wellness
Prioritizing the holistic health of individuals and communities, focusing on both physical and mental well-being through informed and culturally sensitive approaches.
Community Strength
Working collaboratively with Indigenous communities to create a supportive environment that enhances collective well-being and nurtures a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Education and Knowledge Sharing
Committing to the ongoing dissemination of accurate, relevant, and culturally appropriate information that empowers Indigenous youth and their families to make healthier choices.
Services
At Aunties Insights, we are proud to offer programming and workshops guided by the Seven Sacred Teachings, which serve as the foundation of our approach to harm reduction and prevention education.
These teachings—Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth—inform and enrich all aspects of our work, ensuring that our services are both meaningful and aligned with Indigenous values.
Educational Workshops
Interactive sessions designed to equip Indigenous youth with practical skills and knowledge on harm reduction and prevention. Our workshops are tailored to address the unique needs of each community and age group, ensuring relevance and impact.
Culturally Relevant Programming
Programs that integrate traditional Indigenous wisdom with contemporary practices, fostering a holistic approach to wellness. Our content is designed to resonate with the cultural values and traditions of each community we serve.
Community Collaboration
Partnering with Indigenous organizations, leaders, and families to co-create and refine educational materials and initiatives. This collaborative approach ensures that our programming is both effective and respectful of local customs and needs.
Support and Mentorship
Providing ongoing support and mentorship to youth as they navigate their personal and educational journeys. Our team offers guidance rooted in lived experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous youth.
Resource Development
Creating and distributing resources that support harm reduction and prevention education, including toolkits, guides, and digital content. These resources are designed to be accessible and practical for both youth and community members.
Rebecca Ekenale Watt
Rebecca, Dene name is Péhdǫ, hails from the Dehcho Region, Pehdzeh Kí First Nations. She is a co-founder of Aunties Insights and holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work, along with a certificate in Addictions Services, and currently working towards her Masters of Social Work. With a career dedicated to supporting Indigenous communities, Rebecca’s experience spans housing services for unhoused individuals, program development for urban Indigenous youth, and providing support for families involved with Child & Family Services.
For the past four years, she has been living as an uninvited guest on the unceded and ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, where she has worked within the healthcare field, specializing in mental wellness and substance use services for surrounding Indigenous communities.
With years of experience in the social services sector and her own lived experiences, Rebecca has witnessed the transformative power of education that respects and uplifts Indigenous cultural identity. At Aunties Insights, she is committed to creating programs and workshops that not only provide essential knowledge and support but also reinforce the resilience of Indigenous communities and youth.
Her work is deeply guided by the principles of respect, reciprocity, and responsibility—values passed down from her semǫ (mother) and emǫǫ (auntie), both residential school survivors, and her ancestors before her. Without their wisdom and guidance, Rebecca believes she would not be where she is today. She is dedicated to walking alongside Indigenous youth, offering guidance, support, and a deep connection to culture and tradition, believing in their potential to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Sasha Gladu
Tansi! Sasha Gladu nitishinihkâson, nēhiyawēwin Alexander First Nation ohci niya.
Sasha Gladu is a proud member of the Alexander First Nation and co-founder of Aunties Insights. With a career dedicated to advocating for and empowering Indigenous communities, Sasha brings a background in addiction counseling and psychology, while also currently learning Cree. As a survivor of intergenerational trauma, her mission is to inspire and uplift Indigenous youth across Turtle Island by sharing traditional knowledge.
Originally from Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, AB, Sasha now resides as an uninvited guest on the unceded and ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Throughout her career, she has focused on serving vulnerable populations and has held significant roles on the YWCA Board of Directors, the National Truth and Reconciliation Committee, and the National Indigenous Caucus, where she worked toward meaningful change.
One of her proudest achievements was speaking at the United Nations in New York to raise awareness about violence against Indigenous women in Canada. Outside of her professional life, Sasha’s greatest joy comes from being a devoted mother to Slayter and Luna, with a strong commitment to instilling the values of her heritage and challenging systemic barriers.