The mini-conference will begin with a panel discussion with panelists from each of the different NSCSW member classes. The panelists will speak to the theme of Building Connections & Activating Hope sharing insights, wisdom, and experiences from their lived and professional experiences grounded in Mi’kma’ki.  

Hannah Long, student member

After earning my Bachelor of Kinesiology from Memorial University, I felt a strong pull to shift careers and pursue a BSW. I now see social work as the career I was always meant for, though I didn't fully recognize it at the time. During my BSW at Dalhousie University, I had the privilege of completing my placement at the John Howard Society. That experience was pivotal in shaping my career, deepening my empathy, challenging my beliefs, and inspiring me to be a more curious, compassionate, and conscientious social worker. 

Since graduating, I’ve worked with the Department of Community Services in various roles, but for the past four years, I’ve been in a training, recruitment and assessment role for Adoption and Foster Care. I’m currently in my first year of the MSW program at the University of Waterloo while balancing the joys and challenges of being a new and working mother. I feel really grateful for the opportunity to continue advancing my education and career in social work. 

Kendall Paul, Social Worker Candidate (They/Them/Nekm) 

Kendall  is a Two-Spirit and non-binary Mi’kmaw person who is a proud member of Membertou First Nation in Una’maki (Cape Breton). They currently work as the Mental Health Counsellor with the Indigenous Mental Health & Wellness Team, or Wije’winen mawi-apoqnmatultinej (Come with us, we’ll help each other, together) at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Kjipuktuk (Halifax.) Kendall draws on both their lived experience as an Indigenous person, a Two-Spirit, a non-binary person, a bisexual person, a person living with a disability, a care worker and an intergenerational survivor of colonial violence, as well as their formal education to guide and inform their practice to be inclusive, culturally safe and trauma-informed. 

Ayeshah Ali, Registered Social Worker

Ayeshah is a South Asian Muslim social worker and currently works at Solasta as a therapist. Ayeshah graduated with her bachelors and master’s in social work from Dalhousie University and is passionate about culturally and religiously responsive mental health care. She has extensive experience working across different systems including the healthcare setting, not-for-profits and private practice. She is an active member in the community providing workshops and engaging with folks on topics such as Islamophobia and culturally appropriate mental health counselling. 

Colin James Morrison, RSW Clinical Specialist

Colin is a queer clinical social worker, clinical specialist, educator, and consultant at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. Over the past 20+ years, starting first as a youth care worker, Colin has held a range of clinical, leadership and direct practice roles across Emergency Mental Health, Day Treatment, and Children Intensive Services before recently transitioning to a new role as a consultant with the Trauma Informed Care team. Come September 2025, he will begin pursuing a PhD in Health at Dalhousie University, where his research will examine the impacts of harmful masculinity, queerphobia and trauma on youth mental health. His work bridges direct practice, teaching, and research, with a focus on transforming systems through trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and relationship-centered care. 

Rose Scott-Lincourt, Associate (she/her)

I am a cis-gendered white settler of Irish/English descent by way of Newfoundland. I grew up as a third-culture-kid (TCK) which really shaped me as a person and as a social worker. Officially retired in June 2024, in my 40-year career I was privileged to work in a variety of practice contexts. Crisis intervention, not-for-profits, community services, in community health centres, and following my MSW, as a healthcare social worker within palliative care and medicine. The final 10 years of my career was spent as a Field Coordinator and sessional at Dalhousie University’s School of Social Work. In my spare time (retirement is busy) I enjoy photography, papercrafts, time with my family and chilling with my two dogs, Finn & Lola.  Spring is my favourite season however I’m still waiting. I like the oxford comma, 2 spaces after a period, and the colour yellow.