Shauna Seneca
April 3, 1957 - December 14,2006
Shauna was born on April 3, 1957 and raised in Edmonton. Her career started in the Income Support program with Alberta Family and Social Services in 1981 where she worked for 10 years and then moved on to manage an employment and pre-employment program. During this time she developed curriculum and workshops to support individuals and families that were looking for wholisitic interventions.
In 1994 Shauna and her husband Brad created the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, a non-profit, charitable organization serving children, youth and families in achieving their goals and their dreams. The society was founded based on traditional teachings, values and meeting the needs of the people it serves by providing a safe and sober environment where everyone is a part of a community. Today the society operates 22 programs and services and employs approximately 100 staff.
At the beginning of Shauna's career she embraced the effectiveness of home visitation, relationship based practice and in working with families from a strength-based approach. Her greatest teachers became the individuals and families she served and her commitment to working from a wholisitic approach was established. During her career she quickly realized that the more proactive and the earlier supports and services were made available to families, the more likely they were to access and benefit from these supports. She has sat on many committees and boards and has played a major role in training nation wide for the Invest in Kids foundation.
Shauna believed that her passion for what she does and who she works with are what kept her energized and committed. She felt honored by the gifts the people and families she worked with shared with her through their personal stories and healing journeys.
Shauna had a high expectation of herself and the people who work at Bent Arrow in meeting the needs of the people we serve. These expectations focus on living healthy lifestyles and the ability to balance the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our lives. The programs, services and supports offered by Bent Arrow and their community partners provide opportunities for achieving this balance.
At first the Elders were critical in the establishment and ongoing development of Bent Arrow and they were clear that "Your Actions Speak Louder Than Your Words". Shauna has built her practice and her personal journey knowing what was most important would be judged not by what she said but by what she did.
Professional Achievements
- Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
- Developed the Rites of Passage Junior High School program with the Edmonton Public School Board
- Alberta Home Visitation Network Association Chair of the Board
- Led the development and implementation of the 7 Generations Family Enhancement Unit with the West Central Neighborhood Centre, and the Alberta Response Model.
- Responsible for the development, management and training in the areas of:
- Employment/Career Development
- Home Visitation
- Residential Care
- In Home Family Supports
- Early Intervention Programs
- Junior High Educational Programs
- Residential School Initiative
- Aboriginal Head Start
- Group Care
- Responsible for the creation of specialized programs with Social Services for:
- Sixteen and seventeen year olds.
- HIV Programming
- Mental Health Services
- Bachelor of Social Work Program from the University of Calgary Extension Program.
- Co-Directed Orenda House a 2 year transitional homeless project for families who are at risk of becoming homeless or are homeless.
Personal Achievements
- Neuro Linguistic Programming - Certified Practitioner
- Grant MacEwan Community College Distinguished Alumni Award
- Edmonton Police Commission from 1997-2002 as a member and Vice Chairperson
- Developed and created partnerships with Child and Family Services Region 6, Success by Six, Oteenow Employment and Training, Human Resources and Development Canada, Edmonton Police Services, Safe and Caring Communities, Human Resources and Employment, Edmonton Public School Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Edmonton Integrated Services, Chimo Youth Services, Capital Health, Trans Alta Corporation and Invest in Kids.
- Executive Producer for the HIV Youth Awareness Video
- Invest in Kids Regional Director, Master Trainer, Consultant and Curriculum Development
- Women of Vision Award September 2005
- In September 2005 awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in recognition of outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta.
Shauna has touched so many lives and hearts and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, the staff at Bent Arrow, the children, youth, and families that she has supported and worked with over many years.
Forever in our Hearts
A million times we needed you,
a million times we cried,
If love alone would have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still,
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one can ever fill.
Some may think you are forgotten,
Though on earth you are no more,
But in our memory you are with us,
As you always were before.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
A part of us went with you,
The day the Creator called you home.
Your precious memories are for keepsakes,
With which we never part,
The Creator has you safely in his keeping,
But we have you forever in our hearts.