Belonging Matters Conversations Facilitator Training

Belonging Matters found its way to Kenora in 2019 when Jessie Sutherland skillfully led a condensed 3-day intensive Facilitator’s training with a small group of NeChee Friendship Centre staff. Then, with Jessie’s skillful support, the staff team facilitated two full days of Belonging Matters dialogues with a respected group of Anishinaabe community Elders. 

The Elders shared their stories of the beginnings of the Friendship Centre and how they hoped people would continue to feel a sense of home and belonging at Nechee today. Their teachings and life experience enriched us all, strengthening connections among the Elders themselves and the staff.

A year after completing the Belonging Matters project, I am still impacted by what I learned, heard, and experienced during the process. I am indebted to those who had the courage to share their stories and the experience of working with people through this process has changed how I listen and respond to stories of lived/living experience. 

Framing social (in)justice issues through a lens of belonging made me more aware and attune to how my own work can create and disrupt felt senses of belonging amongst those with whom I work. The process taught me that belonging truly does matter and we all have a collective responsibility to create that belonging.

When I participated in the Belonging Matters Conversations Facilitator Training and then the Belonging Matters Foundations series with Jessie Sutherland, I appreciated that if you want to see and “be the change” in this world, you need to have patience. The training series also helped me to see who I am, what I need to work on, and what change means in a worldwide view.

As a trainer and facilitator, Jessie has a lot of compassion for people, while also bringing out their best. She is trustworthy, open and honest. She’s thorough, listens, is patient, and knows the material. As a facilitator, Jessie covers all the material and stays within time frames.

Gchi Miigwech for your excellent work on bringing people of many cultures and nations together. Keep it up, Jessie!

The Belonging Matters Conversations Facilitator Training that I was a part of gave me a different frame and new lens with which to do my work. This added perspective helped make the work that I do more well rounded, accessible and gave it more substance.

The concept of ‘home’ is something that anyone and everyone can relate to. Jessie provided a framework that is easy to understand for everyone, yet also can bring out the depth of complexities within our individual sense of ‘belonging’ and ‘home’.

I recommend the Belonging Matters Conversations Facilitator Training in any community engagement scenario because I have witnessed first-hand its success. Knowing that Jessie herself delivers and facilitates the workshops as well as the “train the trainer” portion increases my confidence in the Belonging Matters process.

Jessie lives what she teaches. She practices belonging and creating spaces of care and kindness and you can see it in her workshops and seminars. She strives to make sure that all attendees feel welcome, safe, and supported. This translates directly into Jessie being one of a kind. Jessie is not only a fantastic person, but also a great role model in our community. She is energetic, welcoming and wholesome. It always is a pleasure working with her in any capacity.