Erin McPhee
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Denise Findlay helps people change their lives and their communities.

Born and raised in North Vancouver, 36-year-old Findlay, a member of the Squamish Nation, is the first First Nations certified professional co-active coach in Canada.

"I look at everyone as naturally creative, resourceful and whole," she said. "I believe that people are far more capable than what they believe themselves to be and the coaching calls that forth."

Findlay's belief that people can accomplish anything and holding them to that potential is what makes her approach work, she said.

"The ripple effect is huge, and really, that's slowly how you do change the world and how you do change the community - one person at a time," she said.

Last week, Findlay wrapped up a pilot three-month Squamish Nation Youth Leadership Coaching Program offered through her company The Grounded Chameleon, which she launched last fall. Before starting her own business, Findlay had a number of great jobs, but never felt fulfilled.

She launched Dreamcatcher, the precursor to The Grounded Chameleon, in 2003. The Grounded Chameleon supports individuals' capacities to adapt to what life has to offer and feel powerful and fulfilled at the same time.

"It's about being able to adapt to whatever is presented to you, kind of dance with it in the moment but from a place that's being very grounded within yourself," she said.

Findlay's companies' existence have been made possible through the support of the Squamish Nation and other funding sources, she said. Findlay also works as a business adviser with the Tale'awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation.

Findlay said the Squamish Nation Youth Leadership Coaching Program wouldn't have happened without Chief Leanne Joe, a small business officer with the Squamish Nation Business Revenue and Services department, through which it was offered.

"I thought it would be a great idea and a fabulous way to get some young women in our community more empowered and be able to step into their true leadership roles so that they have the tools and the skill set to move this community forward for a better future," said Joe.

Findlay developed a program to do just that. Joe handpicked the six participants, all Squamish Nation women ranging in age from 22 to 36. Each is involved in a different aspect of the nation professionally, from arts and culture to employment.

"In each of them I saw something," said Joe. "I saw a special flame, a spark."

The program's format was a group session every two weeks starting in February for three hours, with a half-hour, one-on-one private verbal session in alternating weeks.

"I'm not a mentor or an adviser, but I ask provocative questions that have them look for their own answers and I'm rigorous in the way I do that so when they go, 'I don't know' or 'I can't do that' . . . there's a bit of a tension that's created that will have them sort of step up to go 'oh' to have another look and to discover things about themselves that they didn't know before," said Findlay.

Exercises encompassed a number of concepts including authenticity in leadership; seeing truth in different perspectives; increasing self-awareness; looking at what holds people back; discovering values; setting goals, referred to as commitments; and implementing changes today.

Tourism industry worker Tammy George, 30, said she was honoured to have been asked to take part, a sentiment shared by all six participants.

Ann Marchand Baker, who works with an indigenous media arts group, said she agreed to participate in the program to better herself.

"A lot of people tell me that I'm a role model and I have skills . . . to become a leader and I wanted to learn more . . . and become a better person for our community and help the youth," said Marchand Baker, 22.

Youth services worker and student Eileen Joe, 34, said the composition of the group was empowering in itself.

"It's empowering for young aboriginal women to get together and learn from each other, share stories, experiences, learn some different tools . . . that can help us grow personally and professionally," she said.

Tracy Mitchell, 36, and an employment centre worker, said she liked the cross-section of women chosen as it allows them to each take what they've learned and help in different ways.

"The reason I joined was I was hoping to set an example for the community," she said.

The program allowed the participants to look into their future, set goals and work to stay on track toward a future they now know is possible, said participant Deanna Lewis, 29.

"There was a focus on yourself and to be a leader you have to look within yourself and let that come out and that definitely has happened," she said. "I've got a sensitive side now I never knew I had," she added.

Lewis works as an aboriginal youth ambassador co-ordinator and her experiences will no doubt also help her empower those she comes into contact with, she said.

Based on the success of this program, a second session has been planned, targeting senior female Squamish Nation leaders.

For more information on The Grounded Chameleon, e-mail Findlay at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


Source: North Shore News published on 05/21/2006