Maria Montejo, Mental health expert

Maria Montejo (Deer clan) is a member of the Jakaltec/Popti’ (Mayan) community of Indigenous people who reside in the Xajla’ territory of Iximulew (Guatemala). In addition to her formal schooling, Maria has been mentored from a young age by various Elders, Medicine people and Traditional Teachers on Turtle Island and from Central and South America. Maria has had the privilege of being exposed and participating in various ceremonies and traditional cultural practices that have fueled her passion to develop programming that will bridge the Newtonian/allopathic model of wellness and an Indigenous/multidimensional approach. Maria is a traditional knowledge holder and carries the Deer Dance, Corn/Seed and Creation Stories for her community. Maria has over a decade of experience working in community development in priority neighborhoods and with Newcomer and refugee families. Maria has also worked for many years as a mental health and addictions treatment worker and provides education and consulting to various organizations and institutions in Canada. Maria also facilitates the R.E.A.L School Youth Leadership and Native Wilderness Survival Skills Development program in various Indigenous communities around the world and is the manager of Dodem Kanonhsa’ Indigenous Education and Cultural Facility in Toronto