About Julie

Julie Francella is an activist, artist, writer, and veteran mental health professional with over 28 years of experience working with complex trauma in the clinical field. She has served as the Executive Director of a Domestic Violence Center and spent 13 years as a clinical caseworker at a residential treatment center for Indigenous youth and families. As an enrolled member of the Ojibway of Batchewana First Nation Reserve, Julie is deeply committed to Indigenous issues. She currently works with the First Nations University of Canada and is a part-time professor at Durham College, where she teaches about the profound impacts of colonization on First Nations people. Additionally, Julie co-hosts a weekly segment dedicated to Indigenous voices on SiriusXM national radio and is represented by the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency in NYC, in partnership with Salky Literary Management .

In addition to her extensive career, Julie is also an Advisory Board member of the Shakti Regeneration Institute. This 501(c)3 nonprofit is dedicated to empowering women, Indigenous, and marginalized peoples for ecosystem preservation and regeneration worldwide. The Institute focuses on three key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: ecosystems, equality, and education. It leverages the power of partnerships, nature-based solutions, science, technology, storytelling, art, film, and social movement marketing to drive positive change globally. Julie's role on the Advisory Board reflects her commitment to these critical issues and her extensive expertise in mental health, Indigenous matters, and advocacy.
Her Ojibway name is Aakadewin-O Waawaashkesh Ikwe (Warrior (or Brave) Deer Woman Standing Strong from The Heart).
Inspired by both of her parents who are incredible artists, she started drawing and painting at a young age.
 Each piece of art carries a piece of the artist’s, and subjects’ history by embodying the events that led to its creation. Her work is imbued with positive energy.
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