b'STRATEGIESIve been working from home 100 per cent since March due to the pandemic changes. It was such a large change in lifestyle very quickly and, in the beginning, work was busier [at Fluor] as we were meeting regularly to understand what needed to change and who needed support, says Sharkey. Her husband has since found new employment, the children eventually returned to their bricks-and-mortar school, and Sharkey is now back to being home alone to work a normal day at the office. LITMUS TESTAgainst a background of COVID, the ability to embrace change has become somewhat of a litmus test for people. Not only does it test our skill at acclimatizing to entirely new circumstances, it also tests our capacity to cope with isolation. And this, says Dawn T. Maracle, founder and president of HOPES Indigenous Training Network, is not an entirely new challenge for First By Kim Wheeler Nations. HOPES stands for Healing Our Peoples through Education and Social Justice. Indigenous peoples are no strangers to isolationthe Indian Act designed reserves to separate us from the settler population, she reminds us. Maracle, a sought-after public speaker, educator, writer and consultant, is another successful Indigenous woman who has stared down some fairly weighty challengesboth in her personal life and in her work with Indigenous communities andDawn T. Maracle, organizations on education and social justice initiatives. SheFounder & President, HOPES Indigenous Training Networkalso sits on the Indigenous Advisory Council for the TorontoPheasant Lane Photography, 2019 www.instagram.com/pheasantlanephotographyPublic Library, has served on many Indigenous boards and has held a number of senior administrative positions. Her atti-tude reflects an inner pragmatism and Indigenous teachings.That attitude is helping Maracle in the time of COVID, which I embrace challenges, as change is one of the few constantshas altered her day-to-day work as well. Ive had to take my in life, she says. Avoiding change or pretending it doesntwork on projects with communities from in-person consulta-exist wastes energy. Rather, going with the flow of energy takestion and relationship-building and shift the focus to methods me on new adventures and allows me to work with others tosuch as phone calls, Zoom calls and online community consul-make positive change. tations, she says. This definitely impacts the ability to build relationships because nothing beats face-to-face time with Maracle, who has taught at all education levels, from kinder- others. Ive also had to spend more time on social media to garten at Quinte Mohawk School to Ryerson, the University ofshare information.Toronto and York University, is also a single mom and cancer survivor and has had to deal with fluctuating income and chronicMaracle is quick to point out, however, that she keeps an eye pain resulting from a car accident two decades ago. Its beenon the bigger picture. Its important to view our world not an identity-transforming, frustrating, constantly learning roll- just through the microcosm of our own experience, but rather ercoaster of a ride, she says. Its taught me to be a betterthrough a macro lens. This is not the first pandemic, and it wont advocate for myself, how to manage my time and energy, howbe the last, she says. We can teach about lessons learned to be more aware of my needs and more grateful for all thein the past as well as this time around, and how Indigenous good things in life.and other marginalized groups are the first to need support. Proudly Serving: Forestry, Marine, Oil & Gas, Mining, Hydro Electric, and everything in between3528 Smiley Road,ChemainusP: 250.416.0355TF: 1.800.717.5558E: sales@nfe.cawww.nfe.caMachiningFabrication EngineeringWaterjetSandblasting & Industrial CoatingsInstallationsAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT31'