Change Can Happen. Profiles in community leadership: Maura Gowans

Central City Foundation is once again celebrating examples of extraordinary community leadership. We are highlighting the dedication and determination of those whose support for community-led solutions helped people in our inner city and beyond and have demonstrated that change can happen in our community. As part of this celebration, we have asked each of our profiled leaders to share with us their thoughts on leadership, community, and their relationship with Central City Foundation.

Maura Gowans, Indigenous Relations Consultant and Cultural Training Leader

Maura is an inspiring healer who has supported and guided women in the inner city for more than two decades. As a consultant and counsellor, Maura continues to ensure women in our community have access to the necessary services, supports and traditional cultural practices along their path to healing and wellbeing.

Q:  Can you tell us about the work you are doing in community?

I am currently a counsellor working primarily with Indigenous people. I also facilitate training on the history of Indigenous people, how to best serve and show up for Indigenous people, team building, effective communication and honouring yourself in the work. I am often called in to debrief staff when there is a crisis. I volunteer for Espoir, which is for BIPOC youth and helping immigrant and refugee youth find safe spaces within the community. Everything I do is with the guidance of an Elder.

Q:  What does community leadership mean to you?

To me, community leadership is about creating safety. It’s about using my platform to empower and lift others. To walk alongside others and provide a safe space for them to grow and shine. To create spaces for the often unseen and unheard to be heard. To advocate for the social injustices and inequalities to be brought to the forefront with the hope that one day, changes will be made, even though it often feels hopeless.

Q:  How would you describe the systemic inequalities/inequities and other challenges that your work addresses?

I work with many people affected by intergenerational trauma and trauma. This is a direct result of residential schools. I see people living in the worst ways. Women fighting for their children and/or to keep their children from being removed. I see so many systemic oppressions that are keeping people oppressed. I work with people within the justice system who are trying to better their lives but are often faced with insurmountable hurdles. I work with people struggling with addiction, and there are not enough resources to get them help and treatment.

Q:  How would you describe the importance of connection and belonging for the people you work with?

Connection and belonging are everything. It’s about providing a safe space in this world when many of the people I work with have been taught most of their life there is no safety. To show up when I am called upon and to do my best to serve the community. Many of the people I serve do not have anyone. Many of them are far from home, so they do not have their family or community support. It is often about reconnecting them within their current community so that they feel connected.

Q:  Looking ahead, can you share with us some of your thoughts about where you see that change can happen?

When serving Indigenous people, I think there should be space for both Indigenous and Westernized frameworks. I believe we should ask those we serve what they need and how best to meet these needs. We should be lifting up those that are struggling and meeting them where they are at with unconditional regard. We should be working to end violence and ensuring there is justice so our women and men are not preyed upon.

Q:  What are some examples that give you hope for a better future for the people with who you work?

I have worked in this field for over 20 years. I have seen so many beautiful examples of what it can mean to have the right supports beside you. I have taken people out of alleys and provided them with safe and affordable housing. I have taken Elders out of horrific housing situations and seen them flourish once in safe housing. I have seen women safe from violence. One of my favourite stories is about attending court with a woman where the crown asked her to serve six years. I advocated that because of her history and the impacts of Intergenerational trauma, she made some poor choices, but she was now doing the work and deserved a chance. I watched her change her whole life, obtain safe housing, go back to school, raise her children, and she has now worked in the field for numerous years helping people, including her own family. All because a judge saw her and heard her.

Q:  How would you describe the value of developing relationships and collaboration in your work and organizations like Central City Foundation?

There is so much value in developing relationships and collaboration to best meet the needs of those we serve. Central City Foundation has empowered so many individuals and helped them feel supported and cared for by many of the services they provide within the community. Being able to call on partners to assist clients when working with child protection, legal services, housing providers, rent subsidies, and access to food has made a profound difference and has been invaluable to the work I do serving the population I support.

Q:  Do you have a call to action for our CCF community that you would like to share?

I would like to see individuals housed. Housing makes every difference in the world and allows individuals to heal, often get their children back, leave violent situations, obtain education or employment and become a member of the community and society. I would also like to see more supports for families to heal and break the cycles of trauma for the next generation to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.