Trusted voices

Shila works with brilliant collaborators and co-facilitators to support you in finding the right outcomes. Shila knows that she is stronger when she’s supported by a team of trusted voices.

 
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In Loving Gratitude and Remembrance of Elder Billy Lewis

Billy (1925-2024, he/him pronouns) was a vibrant spirit who left an indelible impact on anyone who was lucky to know him. Restorative Approach was born in part because of his steadfast support, wisdom, guidance, and love. Billy was a peacemaker, a trickster, a passionate advocate and protestor, an avid reader, and a well-loved and well-known member of the community. Even in his later years he never stopped working on community projects that support the common good. He occupied the role of Dalhousie Elder in Residence and acted as an Elder in other places as well: in restorative justice circles, for event openings, and for the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, to name a few. His was interested in an incredible diversity of topics, including justice activism, restorative approaches to justice, labour organizing, sustainable gardening, and creating the loving communities we long for. Billy was a dear friend and collaborator of Shila’s for many years and provided her and the team with endless wisdom. She is immensely grateful for his nurturing presence. In Billy’s spare time he loved to socialize, go to sweats, cuddle his cute dog, and disrupt the status quo. He was so loved, and he is dearly missed. We at Restorative Approach send Billy endless gratitude for his connection to us, and for his exemplary embodiment of walking the path of peace. We now hold him as a beloved Ancestor and continue to learn from his teachings and legacy. Our firm would not be what it is today without Billy. We miss him terribly. His obituary is here.

Our Team

We are a small team of 12 diverse practitioners from a variety of professional lineages including restorative justice, victim/offender mediation, non-violent crisis intervention, queer advocacy, domestic violence prevention, and youth advocacy. We aim to connect the right practitioners to each project. Restorative Approach is proud to be 100% queer-owned.

To learn about our founder (and lead on every project), see Shila’s bio page here.

We are honoured to work with
Elder Geri Musqua LeBlanc (she/her).

Geri Musqua LeBlanc (she/her) is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is a residential school survivor. She follows the traditional way of life as taught by her ancestors. Geri has received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal for her work on employment equity and sharing her knowledge with co-workers and leaders. She is now honoured as an Elder in urban Kjipuktuk and supports participants in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise. Geri believes she is doing what Creator has asked her to do - share knowledge to help Indigenous people be treated fairly. Restorative Approach is honoured to work with Geri!

Our makeup

30% of our team is racialized

65% of our our team are women

30% of our team is from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community

75% of our team is from an equity-seeking group

Maliha Azhar (she/her)

Claire Leger (she/her)

Stevi Gerrior (they/them)

Becky Kerr (she/her)

Allison Smith (she/they)

Justyn Henley (he/him)

Maureen St. Claire (she/her)

Stephanie MacKinnon (she/her)

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Co-Facilitators Maliha Azhar (she/her), Shila LeBlanc (she/her), and Becky Kerr (she/her) - All coming from the lineage of restorative justice and victim/offender mediation in the justice system.