Grandmother Vivian Recollet

Grandmother Vivian Recollet is an Anishinaabe grandmother whose spirit name is Bigasohn Kwe. She is Turtle Clan from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory of the Three Fires Confederacy on Manitoulin Island. As a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, she was separated from her homeland, culture, language and 11 siblings.

Through her healing journey, Grandmother Vivian has been guided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers and medicine people and continues to draw on these teachings in her work and life. She has completed high school, pursued a career in nursing and later moved to Toronto.

With a nursing career spanning Indigenous community health and experience at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Sunnybrook Hospital and Toronto General Hospital, Grandmother Vivian brings extensive knowledge of health-care systems and community-based care. She has been recognized with several awards, including Woman of Distinction, Influential Women of Northern Ontario, the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Good Citizenship and the COUPON Award for mentoring nursing students.

Grandmother Vivian is a proud mother, grandmother, auntie, friend and advocate for many in the Toronto community.