Sandy Little (Acting Director, Mental Health and Community Wellness) has lived in Yellowknife since 1995 and has been a social worker for more than 35 years. Since arriving in the NWT Sandy has practiced social work at the Yellowknife Women’s Society, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. In addition to this, Sandy is known for being a foundational pillar in the previous Aurora College social work program and now enjoys seeing many of her former social work students working within our HSS system.

In her spare time, Sandy volunteers with Special Olympics NWT and loves to take her dog, Titan for walks in the woods, read by her wood stove, attend book club, kayak, swim, meditate, and spend time with her partner, John. She is the mother of adult twins, and recently welcomed a new daughter-in-law to the family!

Sandy currently holds the role of Acting Director, Mental Health and Community Wellness. Her team wanted to say thank you for holding space for us all as we navigate heaviness in our work, changes + uncertainty. You are gifted with kindness, resiliency, grace and taking the most supportive approach to leadership. Thank you for inspiring us all to be the kindest, most gentle, and authentic version of ourselves as we approach this work. 

Sandy’s favourite coping skills are finding joy in many things but wanted to highlight kayaking, swimming, meditation, and music - listening, going to live concerts, and playing the piano as her go-to coping skills! She recognizes music as being the thing that is guaranteed to put her in a good mood.