Student Supports

Boozhoo, Shannon Beckstead nindišinikāz, nindōdem makwa, nīndōnjī Minegoziibe Anishinabe, minwaa niin ayaan inawemak Misko Ziibii Aabtaagoshaanuk.

Hi everyone, my name is Shannon Beckstead. I am Bear clan, and a proud member of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation, Treaty 2 territory/Treaty 4 signatory), with familial ties to the Red River Métis via Duck Bay.

I am the Indigenous Advisor at Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre at Queen’s University for the 2024-2025 academic year. My educational background is varied but deeply rooted in helping others in a well-rounded way: Behavioural Psychology and Recreation Therapy. I look forward to helping you, as well!

I support Indigenous students with academics, financial aid, housing, free tutoring services, career counselling, advising, personal skill development (e.g. study skills, goal setting, time management, etc.) and more. I can also be your connection to all the resources and supports available across campus. My goal is to facilitate the well-being and success of Indigenous students at Queen’s by supporting them in living a healthy, balanced life: academically, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. As the Indigenous Advisor, I coordinate:

• The Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) program 
• Gather Together programs and lifeskills workshops
• Our Indigenous Peer Mentoring Program 
• Ohsahè:ta Program
• Tutoring
• Hiring and supervision of our Student Leader positions!

To contact Shannon please email her at shannon.beckstead@queensu.ca

Lisa Doxtator is Oneida from the Thames, and Mohawk from Six Nations. She sits with the Bears. Lisa is the Cultural Counsellor at Four Directions, a position that is fully integrated with Student Wellness Services.

Lisa provides individual/group counselling and therapy and offers wellness and cultural programming to Indigenous students. Lisa has a social work background, with experience in trauma and recovery, and is a registered mental health professional. Lisa positions her therapeutic technique within an Indigenous worldview that acknowledges and validates Indigenous students' experiences and histories. 

To contact Lisa please email her at lmd9@queensu.ca

Betty Carr-Braint is a Mohawk wolf clan member of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. She is a mother and a Tota.

Betty Carr-Braint has her Masters of Social Work, Indigenous Based from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist through the Grief Recovery Institute. She obtained her Indigenous Addictions Services Certificate from Nechi Institute. She worked in her community for Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte for twenty-six years, in various roles, including as the Assistant Manager, Traditional Practitioner, and Community Wellness Worker at Red Cedars Shelter, and as the Program Manager of the Enyonkwa’nikonhriyohake’ (Good Minds) Program.

At Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre at Queen’s University Betty is the Elder-In-Residence and previously at Trent University in the role of Cultural Counsellor at First Peoples House of Learning.

Elder Betty supports students with cultural teachings, ceremonies, cultural support, works alongside the Firekeepers offering cooking over the fire; and supports other programs as requested.

To contact Betty please email her at bfcb@queensu.ca