First Medicines Spirit CollectiveAbout Us
Built from lived experience
My name is Melissa Montana. I'm Indigenous and German, with roots in Louis Bull Tribe and the Maskwacis community.
I started First Medicines Spirit Collective because I know this road. I've lived through my own battles with addiction and mental health. Over the years, I've also watched people close to me suffer.
Along the way, I learned a lot about the system, and I learned it wasn't designed to help our people. Too often, large organizations accept funding meant for Indigenous people, but don't set students up for careers of their own. They care about the bottom line.
We care about the people.
Our mission
To help our community heal, no matter how you identify, no matter the colour of your skin.
Our doors are open to everyone. We hold a special focus on Indigenous and Two-Spirit youth and adults who are struggling and need someone in their corner.
What we believe
You are sacred
Every person deserves love and grace.
Heard, seen and safe
We listen without judgement.
Healing is whole
Body, mind, spirit and purpose all matter, so we bring care, support and careers together in one place.
People before profit
Success means you standing on your own, not us filling seats.
Walking alongside our partners
We work with organizations who share our heart:
- Top Layer Academy: esthetics training for careers in medical spas
- Stonewall Recovery: support for addiction and mental health, and skin care for people who are transitioning