Despite living with significant health issues associated with a brain injury she experienced over 11 years ago, Nikki does not let that stop her from pursuing her passion for animals.
Being born in Calstock, near Constance Lake First Nation (which is over 600 km east of Thunder Bay), Nikki’s founding relationships and early attachments were with the Cree people from that area.
Nikki holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from Central Michigan University, an Honours BA in Psychology from Lakehead University and a BA in Sociology and Psychology, also from Lakehead University.
She spent 23 years as Program Coordinator and Professor of the Broadcasting and Television Production Program at Confederation College.
She retired in 2013 and still has positive relationships with her former students.
Having volunteered her time with various animal welfare groups, veterinarians, registered veterinarian technicians, and humane societies across the province, Nikki founded the Northern Spay Neuter Program, a charity dedicated to offering spay/neuter and animal wellness clinics in Northern First Nation communities and to bring awareness, attention and action to the serious lack of animal wellness resources.
In the fall of 2022, Nikki also founded the Animals North Collective. In 2023, they published a report called ‘Veterinarian Services in First Nation Communities’ as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action—specifically ‘Action 19’ related to health inequity.
The report demonstrated how human, animal, and socio-environmental health are interconnected.
Nikki has said, “It is truly my responsibility to help shake off the oppression and stereotyping that have fostered colonial attitudes to this day.”
She was also the first to identify that ad-hoc and intermittent spay/neuter clinics in First Nations by outside animal rescue groups are not enough to control the animal population and that a different, de-colonized approach is needed for the sake of both animals and humans in those communities.
In the past 2 years, Nikki put her passion and foundation together and poured her energy into working with the Matawa First Nations Management Tribal Council to find First-Nation-driven ideas for healthy pets and healthy communities.
With the launch of the Matawa Animal Services Pilot Project on February 5, 2024, progress has been made in relation to gaps and inequities faced by First Nations when it comes to accessing veterinary services, supplies and resources.
The pilot project played a role in offering spay/neuter animal wellness clinics to First Nations in Matawa who have not seen them, on average, for 8-10 years.
As of this Christmas season, approximately 391 surgeries have been done, 776 wellness exams completed, 1,540 vaccines administered, 59 dog transfers undertaken and 4,100 pounds of food have been delivered.
These transformative achievements have not been seen in the region before and are being supported by the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, Patty Hajdu.
Nikki and her husband Bob have taken in many dogs over the years and speak very fondly about how it has enriched their lives. Buddy — their current mixed-breed dog and family member — can attest to how much love and respect Nikki has to offer and how it can change the world.
She is very humble and would not approve of this nomination, but she most definitely is a hero this holiday season and all year round.
Your 2024 Holiday Heroes were nominated by readers for the positive difference they make in the community. Readers will vote to choose one of the 12 Holiday Heroes to receive a $500 prize courtesy of Sullivan and Associates. Voting opens Dec. 23.
