Burnice Mandeville

Yellowknife, NWT, Canada

 

Hello. My name is Burnice Mandeville . I was born and raised in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. I am a Métis woman with 3 children and 2 grandchildren, and we all live in the north. My heart’s desire is to help Residential School Survivors (and their children) become Thrivers! I welcome you to join me on this journey - I can’t do it without you!

 

My story goes like this - My basic education consisted of attending Residential Schools in the NWT. A Residential School in Canada refers to the education system run by the Federal Government of Canada who in turn hired Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and United churches to educate Indigenous children, also known as First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Residential Schools existed from 1871-1996. Some of the atrocities associated with these schools were; children were forcefully taken from their families, many were sexually, physically, and mentally abused by the nuns and priests, as well, the children’s’ mother tongue and culture were literally beaten out of them. Despite being impacted by the Residential Schools’ punitive education system, I still love to learn.

 

I’ve had an eclectic life as is evident in my work, educational experiences, and hobbies. I’ve been a housekeeper in a diamond mine, heavy duty mechanic apprentice, small business bookkeeper, registrar and property manager for a Bible College, and junior accountant. I enjoy reading, taking Bible studies and I’ve even learned the craft of weaving Métis sashes. As you can see, I’m not afraid of hard work as I’ve attained diplomas in Management Studies and Encouragement Christian Counseling.

 

Called to be a Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor

While attending the Encouragement Counseling Program in 2001, I had two Epiphanies. I discovered that during my early years, my family was thriving - we lived a traditional Native life. By this I mean that my dad went hunting, fishing, and trapping while my mom stayed home, caring for us children by cooking, cleaning, and sewing. I realized we had actually been living as God had originally intended a native family to live. Unfortunately, when I was only nine, our beautiful family was fractured when alcohol came into our community. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and gave me HOPE. I saw the importance of counselling and that I could see myself counselling one day.

 

I’ve been waiting 20 years for an Indigenous focussed counselling program!

 

To this day, Canada’s Indigenous communities are rife with alcohol and drug addictions. These communities have the highest rates of unemployment, suicide, depression, and anxiety. Since the age of 9 I have lived in and been surrounded by this dysfunction. It’s time for me, Burnice, to make a difference and help solve these generational problems!!! Will you financially help me resolve these long overdue issues?

 

My desire, once I graduate is to help other native families here in NWT, find the hope to come to know, that God has a plan and purpose for them (Jer 29:11) and that He can heal their broken hearts (Ps 147:3) and restore what was destroyed (Joel 2:25). Being in the Lord’s perfect will is why I’m enrolled in the Rhodes College Professional Counselling Program . I’m honoured to be a student in the first ever, Northern Indigenous Cohort of the Northwest Territories.

 

About Rhodes College (Vancouver, B.C.) Counselling Program

• 2-year program (September 2020 - May 2022)

• 6 semesters with a mandatory 11-month residence in Yellowknife, NWT

 

Original costs in Canadian Funds

Tuition and books (6 semesters) $26,280

Rent (5months x $850) $ 4,250

Living Expenses (12 months x $400) $ 4,800

 

Outstanding Expenses as of April, 2021

Tuition and books (6 semesters) $14,280

Rent & Living Expenses $ 9,050

 

Total: GoFundMe request CDN $23,330

 

Why your financial support is necessary

• To cover my outstanding education and living expenses: tuition, books, rent

• Once my program is completed, (May 2022) your investment in me goes far beyond just one person. It will allow me to continue to work with my cohorts in northern communities to provide 1x1 and Family Counselling sessions as well as to develop:

o various workshops such as Grief and Loss, Addictions, Mental Health, Aftercare and Self Care

o Indigenous curriculum for future Rhodes College students

o programs pertaining to Youth Suicide Prevention, Employment, Trauma, Sexual Abuse

 

My Future Desires/Big Dream with the Professional Counsellor Diploma

• Work with women, youth, and families

• Help reimplement an Addictions Treatment Centre and create Aftercare Programs in the Northwest Territories

• My big dream from the Lord is to return to the Bible College where I participated in my first counselling program and build a Christian Counseling/Treatment Centre and Extended Aftercare Program - a place where the Lord Jesus will be magnified and glorified!

 

Please join with me in faith believing that:

• the Wonderful Counselor/Mighty God will be working through me. (Isaiah 9:6)

• the dead things of the past, things that no longer work, the lies and deceit will be peeled off like grave clothes. (John 11:44)

• as I call to the Lord, he will answer me and tell me great and unsearchable things that I do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)

I am fully committed to this educational challenge as well as to serving my people. Imagine your dollars sowing seeds into the first people of Canada!

Shalom and Showers of Blessings!

Love, Burnice.