Provincial Consultant recognized for advocating the unique needs of a community

As a Provincial Aboriginal Training Consultant for CAMH working out of the Sudbury Regional office, Cristine Rego works for balance in mental health delivery and more specifically, for increased awareness and understanding of the unique needs for Aboriginals.

Her efforts to advocate needs in the Aboriginal community—spearheading the CAHM Aboriginal Service’s training for Aboriginal mental health service providers in the greater Sudbury area this year—and her support of initiatives to promote positive growth of Aboriginal women earned Cristine the prestigious Sudbury YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.

Cristine Rego and her invited guest, CAMH’s Aboriginal Service Clinic Head Peter Menzies, at the Sudbury YWCA Women of Distinction Awards ceremony.

“Cristine’s award is well-deserved. She contributes a great deal to the Ontario’s Aboriginal communities, not only in her role as CAMH’s Provincial Aboriginal Training Consultant, but as a dedicated volunteer for causes and organizations,” says Jeff D’Hondt, Manager, Aboriginal Service. “Her humour, creativity, and ability to form partnerships all are key components of her work on the team, and in Ontario’s wider Aboriginal community. The Aboriginal Service team is proud to work with someone who’s been honoured with such a significant award, earned through several decades of contributions to Aboriginal communities.”

One of the first women to work in Kingston Penitentiary in the 1980s, Cristine went on to become the first Aboriginal female Correctional Supervisor. She believes that women and girls have come a long way and that they continue to grow and contribute in meaningful ways to a healthy community. By giving her time to videos such as "Aboriginal Voices of Youth and What We Learned II," Cristine ensures that Aboriginal voices and concerns are heard while promoting positive growth for the next generations.

Volunteering and fundraising are a couple of her many interests, raising money for diabetes, breast cancer and arthritis. Cristine also serves on the Faculty Development Working Group for the Northern Ontario Medical School, and volunteers as the treasurer for the Sudbury branch of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, as well as sitting on the Aboriginal Social Worker Interest Group for the Canadian Association of Social Workers. She finds time to work with the N'Swakiamok Native Friendship Center and is a member of the White Bear Women's Drum Group.

Up next for Cristine is the development of a self-esteem arts-based project with her daughter's school and an arts project with a local Aboriginal producer of documentaries.

Congratulations, Cristine!

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