Rev Leanna’s Clerical experience, qualifications, and ministry activities are outlined as follows:

Ordination

Rev MacLeod has served Clergy Support Memorial Church as an Appointed Designated Minister for over three years (since May, 2016). Since that date, her ministry has been exemplary. On the basis of her long and distinguished ministry to the local Truro and First Nations communities, the Board has approved a motion that Lenna be raised to the Ordained Christian Ministry on August 1st, 2018.

In addition she is also our national office outreach minister to the Mi’kmaq Nations: “Mi’kmaq religion remains firmly based in Christianity. In the early 1990s, Mi’kmaq peoples from across Mi’gma’gi began celebrating Treaty Day (1 October) by incorporating traditional Mi’kmaq customs like drumming and the burning of sacred herbs into Christian Sunday ceremonies. Ancient traditional Mi’kmaq spirituality is still practiced today, with a concerted effort on the part of Mi’kmaq people to protect and promote their traditional religious beliefs and customs.” (from The Canadian Encyclopedia).

Rev MacLeod is mandated by Clergy Support Memorial Church to assist this process in any way she can:

“I am a First Nation woman and a member of the Indian Brook First Nation. I offer and practice our First Nations spirituality, culture and Traditions and offer the same to those who request smudging and sacred water rituals etc.

I feel I am qualified, I love the Creator and I try to live my life being kind, compassionate to all people regardless of where they come from, their race, age, sexual orientation etc. I believe, and practice “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I have been told that I am a “Healer” I love to help all peoples any way I can.

Throughout my lifetime, I have assisted individuals, families and communities through difficult times of grief and loss, through prayer service, visiting friends and family at the hospital and at their home who were preparing to journey to the spirit world.”

My present ministry and worship is as follows:

• I am educated in First Nations Culture and Teachings.
• I have offered prayer, talking/Healing circles where prayers to the Creator are a daily practice at work and at home and most recently at the Success College in Sackville, Nova Scotia where I upgraded my counselling skills. I received my Social/Human Services-Counselling Diploma in August 2016.
• I have 20 plus years as a counsellor, both paid and volunteer positions.
• I am a certified Addiction Counsellor.
• I am a certified Correctional Worker.
• I am a certified Personal Care Worker which allows me to minister as a caregiver with Seniors.

My Life Celebration ceremonies are all Christian ceremonies wrapped in First Nations spirituality.

Employment

Nova Institution for Women, Truro, Nova Scotia
Social Program Office.

Eagle’s Nest Recovery House, Indian Brook First Nation, Nova Scotia.
Treatment Counsellor/ Clinical Director/ Counsellor.

Shubenacadie Indian Residential School Association, Truro, Nova Scotia.
Assistant/Event Planner.

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, Truro, Nova Scotia

Mi’kmaq Legal Support Network
Mi’kmaq Court Worker.

Educational Achievements

In 2016, I graduated from the Counselling Skills-Social/Human Services Program at Success College.

I have applied for, and been accepted into, the Bachelor of Arts Community Studies – Psychology program beginning in September 2018 at Cape Breton University. At a earlier point in my life I was not able to complete my studies as a result of the tragic loss of my mom, who was murdered.

I offer and practice our First Nations spirituality, culture and Traditions and offer the same to those who request smudging and sacred water rituals etc.

In the near future, I will be assisting with a “Nova Kindness and 16 steps to Discovery and Empowerment” with women offenders at the Nova Institution for Women. Please click her for the 16 Steps to Discovery and Empowerment by Dr. Charlotte Kasl.

Qualifications and Highlights

• Earned CCPC Addiction Counsellor II (CACII) Certification.
• CACCF Member.
• Knowledgeable in Indigenous Culture and Traditions.
• Respectful, caring and professional attitude toward staff, residents, and their families.
• Leadership/Management/Supervisory skills.
• Possess excellent communication and inter-personal skills.
• Hard worker, quick learner, and ability to assume responsibility.
• Goal orientated, works well as a team or independently.
• Designed, developed and delivered a five week Aboriginal Wellness for Addictions Women’s Program.
• Wedding Celebrant- Licensed with the Province of Nova Scotia.

Pastoral Care Ministry

• Aboriginal Culture Educator 2015 – Success College
• Indian Brook Health Centre – Traditional Teaching (Children) – 2012
• Community Addiction Educator – 2008 – Present
• Organized/Plan/Fundraised for Gathering- September 21 & 22, 2008 “Let’s Talk” Honouring Survivors of Shubenacadie Indian Residential Schools Survivors.
• Organize/Plan Events and Gathering- June 11, 2008 Canadian Government “Apology” Shubenacadie Indian Residential School Survivors Walk & Gathering.
• Nova Institution for Women – Assisted women with Parole Board Hearing, community re-integration, employment, education, shelter etc.
• Nova Institution for Women -Indigenouse Womens Wellness Program 2016- Present
• Birthing Coach- Help women to prepare for arrival of baby, assist and support them through childbirth, delivery etc. – 1987 – Present

Other Educational Highlights

Success College, Nova Scotia
Counselling Skills – Social/Human Services, March 2015 – August 2016
(Diploma – High Honours/Awards)

Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia
BA – Distance Education, September 2008 (incomplete due to family tragedy)
(3 Credits)

Nova Scotia Community College, Truro, Nova Scotia
Personal Care Worker Program, October 1999 – February 2000
(Certificate)

Nova Scotia Community College, Windsor, Nova Scotia
Correctional Worker Program, September 1995 – June 1996
(Certificate)

Nova Scotia Community College, Truro, Nova Scotia
Academic Level IV, September 1994- June 1995
(Certificate)

Awards

• A Certificate of Achievement – Highest Attendance in the Counselling Skills- Social/Human Services Program.
• Award of Excellence – In Honour of outstanding performance and dedication – recognition for highest aggregate in the Counselling skills-Social/Human Services Program.

Professional Accredited Organizations

• Canadian Council of Professional Certification – CAC II (CCPC) – 2012

Certificates

SASSI – Clinical Interpretation	SASSI – Administration & Scoring
Mental Health First Aid 2015	Standard First Aid/ CPR ( St. John Ambulance), Level C/AED 2015
Infectious Diseases 2014 /2015	Fire and Life Safety 2015
Crisis Intervention Stress Management 2015	Death Notification (CISM ) 2015
Supporting The Bereaved	Medical Awareness 2015
Basic Practices & Principle of Personal Care	Non-Violent Crises Intervention 2015
Pressure Point Control Tactics 2015	Self Defense for Professional 2015
Critical Incident Stress 2015	Hostage Behaviour & Initial Contact
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training 2015	WHMIS – Biohazard & Spill Response Awareness Training – 2014 WHMIS- 2015
Diffusion Hostility 2015	Food Handler 2014
Shelter Management – Canadian Red Cross	Registration & Inquiry – Canadian Red Cross
Domestic Violence Training Program 2015	On The Road To Justice
Harm Reduction 2012/2015	Self-Care Workshop 2015
AIDS 101	Counselling Level 1 – Level 2
Alzheimer’s & Related Dementia	Palliative Care
Pharmacology 2011	Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License
Intergenerational Trauma and Community Healing 2015

Workshops/Networking

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – 2015	Silent Witness Nova Scotia “Giving a Voice to Nova Scotia Women Silenced by Violence – 2015
Diversity – 2015	Sexual Assault – 2015
Infectious Disease Control – 2015	Muslim Culture – 2015
State of Youth – 2015	Attending the Garden “Resiliency at home and work” – 2015

References

James Ingram
Counselling Skills – Social/Human Services – Instructor

Pauline Pineo – Thomas

Paula Marshall
Mi’kmaq Legal Support Network – Executive Director
Tel: Toll Free 1-877-379-2042

Jacklyn Paul
Community Crisis Worker / Counsellor