Jason R McLeod (Community Social Worker) is a proud Métis and father to one son, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Jason’s wife also works for the GNWT and have proudly made Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ (Fort Simpson) their home for the past 6 years. Jason has worked in the field of human and social services for the past 20 years and proudly received his Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from First Nation University in 2004. Jason currently holds a role with the Dehcho Social Services team, as a Community Social Worker.

Jason has spent the majority of his career with Child and Family Services (both in the NWT and in Saskatchewan) and has specialized in work related to family violence, supporting the Family Circle Healing Lodge (in Saskatoon). In addition, Jason has supported high-risk youth in facility-based care settings, stabilization supports, and placement assessments and held the role of Child Protection Worker and Case Manager. Jason primarily supports single male parents/ caregivers and their children, integrating a culturally informed approach to care. 

Jason also previously held a role with Métis Local Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. Local 165 (CUMFI Local 165) which is a “coming home” program for parents who will be reunited with their children previously living in care. The program allows the parents to live in an apartment, which their children, and have access to 24/7 staff support. 

Jason’s favourite coping skill is self-care. Jason believes that self-care is the foundation of good social work. He believes that processing his own experiences allowed him to support others in field. Jason highlights that some of the best self-care strategies are seeing a counsellor, setting healthy boundaries with clients, being open about what he can offer in community, and going fishing! Jason acknowledges that living in a small, isolated community can bring forward some challenges as there are often times when the personal/ professional life pieces can overlap. 

Jason is a firm believer in not taking himself too seriously and making sure to laugh and have fun every day!