Dear Friends,

Thank you for your warm welcome as I begin my work as Leaven’s new executive director. It was wonderful to meet many of you in December when we gathered to celebrate Leaven’s 20th anniversary and say farewell to Melanie Morrison and April Allison.

When I first learned of The Leaven Center, I was astounded that there was a gathering of hearts and minds focused on engendering hope, leveling the playing fields of our society, and including each and every one of us in our circle of humanity…our circle of life. I feel privileged and humbled to be part of this great endeavor. I can’t even call Leaven a center or a place…it has a life of its own. I think all of you have felt that in your hearts.

I look forward to building the relationship we will have as the Leaven community. In addition to greeting you as participants, facilitators, and volunteers here at The Leaven Center, I will be visiting you in small gatherings in your own home town so we can become better acquainted. As I begin my work as the executive director of The Leaven Center, I look forward to joining with the diverse communities that make up Leaven, and together continuing the Leaven Center’s mission as a sanctuary of spiritual renewal and social change.

To tell you a little bit about my background, I am a Sault St. Marie Ojibwa tribal member and have long been committed to Native American issues and multicultural education.  I have directed several educational and cultural programs and worked interpersonally to promote social change in my community and beyond.  As a Native American Traditionalist, I carry an awareness of the connectedness of all creation and the necessity of healing and maintaining the balance within the sacred hoop. As the executive director of Leaven Center, I look forward to joining with the diverse Leaven communities and together continuing the Leaven Center’s mission as a sanctuary of spiritual renewal and social change. 

I invite you to browse through this website. You may find several events that you would like to attend. And if you notice one that seems just right for a friend or a family member, please be sure to let them know.

Jill Bedard
Executive Director

 

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