JANICE MESSAM
Ottawa,ON
Summary
Compassionate and Culturally-Informed Leader | 18 Years in Social Services Supporting Inuit Communities
Experienced social services manager with a strong background in supporting the Ottawa Inuit community through inclusive leadership, community-centered programs, and culturally respectful practices. Known for fostering safe, empowering environments where individuals and teams thrive.
Skilled in building trust-based relationships with diverse stakeholders, including Elders, clients, frontline workers, local partner organizations, and provincial and territorial governments.
Brings a collaborative, trauma-informed approach to team development, service delivery, and community engagement with demonstrated success in leading supportive teams, successful service outcomes, and aligning programs with community values and organizational goals.
Adept at problem-solving, navigating complex challenges, and creating a workplace culture rooted in respect, resilience, caring, and reconciliation.
Committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and meaningful change through leadership that listens, learns, and leads with heart.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager of Family Well-being
Inuuqatigiit Centre
01.2017 - Current
- Established long-term relationships with community members through meaningful engagement initiatives.
- Integrates Inuit Societal values and IQ Principles into program development and staff interactions.
- Advocates for the rights and needs of the Ottawa Inuit Community
- Excels in managing diverse tasks within demanding situations.
- Maintains a positive, safe, and organized environment for both employees and community.
- Resolves conflicts among staff, focusing on active listening, empathy, and finding common ground.
- Improves client satisfaction by swiftly resolving issues and ensuring open communication channels.
- Supports staff development through mentorship to enhance performance.
- Directs advocacy initiatives and managed partner relationships, including with the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa.
- Guides and mentors Centre staff navigating CAS files with parents and youth
- Represents Inuuqatigiit Centre on behalf of the Inuit Community at the provincial Metis, Inuit and Urban Indigenous (MIUI) Technical Table
Manager of Early Years
Inuuqatigiit Centre
12.2010 - 12.2016
- Motivated Cultural Educators and RECEs to establish Inuit-focused early learning environments for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners.
- Maintained a safe, organized environment for both staff and clients
- Promptly resolved client disputes, enhancing communication and service delivery
- Guaranteed fulfillment of all ministry licensing aspects consistently
- Followed City of Ottawa guidelines for processing subsidy payments
- Supported parents in navigating childcare subsidy applications
- Developed partnerships with Robert E. Wilson Public School and Ontario Aboriginal Head Start Association
- Procured cultural materials as needed to enhance program effectiveness
Supervisor/Preschool Teacher
Tumiralat Inuit Child Care Centre (Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre)
07.2008 - 12.2009
- Coordinated procurement of materials, equipment, and toys for new child care program in 2008.
- Supervised registration process for new children to ensure smooth onboarding.
- Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children.
- Oversaw daily operations of facility in compliance with Day Nurseries Act.
- Developed strong relationships with Inuit parents and assisted with understanding subsidies.
- Secured community guests to teach cultural traditions to children.
- Managed field trips to developmentally enriching locations for preschoolers.
- Conducted supportive home visits and collaborated with Children’s Aid Society to maintain community connections.
Coordinator of literacy programming for families 0-13
Family Literacy Program (Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre)
07.2007 - 07.2008
- Developed and delivered multiple literacy-focused programs to enhance educational outcomes.
- Developed and implemented reading response activities for children’s reading circles.
- Oversaw mini-library for Head Start children
- Liaised with funders to ensure all program deliverables met expectations.
- Coordinated with agency staff to deliver effective programming.
- Engaged community partners to create opportunities for expanded services.
- Authored reports for funding agencies to document progress and outcomes.
Student Placement
Sivummut Head Start (Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre)
11.2006 - 05.2007
- Facilitated successful placement leading to role as supply teacher.
- Oversaw implementation of field trip to Aviation Museum, enhancing educational experience.
- Conducted circle time and supervised indoor/outdoor play while implementing developmentally appropriate activities.
- Supported evening programming as a childcare provider
- Secured scholarship for child’s attendance at March Break Dance Intensive in Ottawa.
Dancer/Artistic Staff
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet
01.1993 - 01.2005
- Performed as corps de ballet dancer from 1993 to 2004.
- Served on artistic staff from 2001 to 2006, guiding creative direction.
- Oversaw children's roles in all ballets since 1997, ensuring quality performances.
- Taught daily warm-ups and conducted rehearsals while managing schedules and audition videos.
- Facilitated all aspects of children's performances for Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
- Built relationships within dance and broader community to enhance productions through sponsorships.
- Liaised between RWB company, school, and parents to coordinate activities.
- Assisted choreographers with staging ballets across Italy, Greece, France, Mexico City, and Louisville.
Education
Early Childhood Education Diploma -
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
05.2007
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Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
Winnipeg, MB01.1992
Skills
- Community Service/Support
- Advocacy for Inuit community
- Project management
- Team leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Relationship building
- Decision-making
- Staff mentoring/management
Certification
- 2023 First Aid/CPR
- 2023 Current Police Check
- 2017 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- 2025: Management and Supervision - The Crucial Skills - Achieve Centre
- 2024: VAW Workshop - Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre
- 2024: Human Resources Management Essentials: Module Five - Workplace Wellness - AFOA
- 2024: Human Resources Management Essentials: Module Two - The Employment Relationship and Employee Experience - AFOA
- 2021: Around the Rainbow Training - Family Services Ottawa
- 2009: Let Your Hands Do the Talking: Level 1 Sign Language - Children’s Integration Support Service
Advocacy Tables
Committees
2020-present: MCCSS FNIM Technical Table representing Inuuqatigiit Centre on behalf of the Ottawa Inuit community
2007-2016: FNIM-CASO Liaison Committee - Representing OICC
Presentations
Bi-Annual presentations to the Ottawa Police Service's Sexual Assault Response Officer Course
2025: Canadian Childcare HEalth Convention
Timeline
Manager of Family Well-being
Inuuqatigiit Centre
01.2017 - Current
Manager of Early Years
Inuuqatigiit Centre
12.2010 - 12.2016
Supervisor/Preschool Teacher
Tumiralat Inuit Child Care Centre (Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre)
07.2008 - 12.2009
Coordinator of literacy programming for families 0-13
Family Literacy Program (Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre)
07.2007 - 07.2008
Student Placement
Sivummut Head Start (Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre)
11.2006 - 05.2007
Dancer/Artistic Staff
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet
01.1993 - 01.2005
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Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
Early Childhood Education Diploma -
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
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