Swan Valley Health Centre

Wanda Sandy

Wanda resides in Canupawakpa Dakota Nation where she is originally from. She is currently employed as the Health Director for CDN – Health Services where she has worked since November 2005. Wanda currently holds the volunteer position of Illegal Drug Coordinator for Canupawakpa.

Wanda has a passion for learning and has attained her education from numerous academic locations. She received her Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Native Studies and a Minor in Psychology from Brandon University. While attending Thunder Bay Confederation College she received her Law & Security Administration Diploma.   She also received her Community Social Development Certificate from Assiniboine Community College. She continues to further her education, and recently received Certification from First Nations Health Manager Association of Ottawa.

Wanda lived in Vancouver, BC for 10 years and worked for a Provincial Aboriginal Women’s Organization. She started as a Volunteer, worked as a Loss Prevention Officer, then became the Assistant to the Executive Director, was appointed by the Board to Acting Executive Director then became Executive Director.  Previous work experience includes working casually for CDN Education as a Dakota Language Instructor/ Teacher’s Aide. She was also worked casually as an Aboriginal Liaison Coordinator for Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women.

Past volunteer work includes being a Board Member for Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women, Committee member for Female Offender Advisory Committee and First Nations Breast Cancer Society of BC. Currently she is the Chair for the Aboriginal Liaison Committee (comprised of 7 Health Directors of former ARHA).

Wanda believes in giving back to her community and has volunteered as a committee member for education, housing, pow wows and community fundraisers.

In Wanda’s free time she enjoys time with family – especially her grandchildren, making star quilts, powwows and dancing (traditional women’s category).  Her spirituality, her Dakota language and traditions are all important parts of her life.

Wanda is enjoying her work with the PMH Board – one of her focuses in on partnership and collaborative approaches in addressing gaps in health care, with First Nations, Health Canada and Manitoba Health.