Patricia Boushel
is a cultural worker from Montréal. She has worked as a producer and researcher in documentary film both independently and for the National Film Board, a festival producer for POP Montreal, an artist manager, an arts organization director, and a community organizer, notably as an activist translator and language educator. She sits on three boards: as Vice President at ARTEXTE, and as administrator at Innovations en concert and Voie Boréale/True North Insight. She currently coordinates TNI’s prison meditation program and is otherwise mainly interested in conversations that go deep and take time.
Ekta Hattangady
(she/they) is a social worker, private practice psychotherapist and mindfulness trainer and coach. They have 16+ years of experience of working in the non-profit space in clinical and program roles across India, the US and Canada. Ekta is passionate about liberation—from worldly systems, internal barriers, and any other oppressive components that keep us captive. Their personal journey spans 10+ years, with Buddhist philosophy, specifically equanimity, insight and compassion practices being at the core. They are currently working on a Dhamma book. At True North Insight, Ekta hopes to be involved in the fundraising and strategic planning committees. Find Ekta on instagram: @journeywithcompassion.
Michelle Nicholls
is a social worker-therapist living in Toronto. She began exploring secular mindfulness meditation in 2005, as a pathway to spirituality, and to find steadiness in her work-life balance. For the past seven years, Michelle has attended the POC retreats at IMS, which continues to support her in deepening her own practice. Michelle holds Level A and B certificates in Applied Mindfulness Meditation from U of T. Her therapeutic work involves radical acceptance, and compassionate mindfulness-based approaches to counselling individuals and groups.She is truly grateful for the teachings of DaRa Williams, Gina Sharpe, Larry Yang, JoAnna Harper and Joseph Goldstein. Michelle hopes to carry on their vision of inclusion and diversity in the Sangha, through acts of service that will support and sustain the meditation practices for marginalized community members.
Rebecca Ross
Bio to come.
Coral Short
Coral Short (they/them )is a white non binary human who was born in 1973 who is now living in Tiohtià:ke, colonially known as Montréal. Coral has practiced in the tradition of Theravada since 2007. Coral studies both Generative Somatics and Somatic Experiencing and is interested in how these modalities combine with meditation. Coral is one of the co-founders of Queer Sangha in Montréal and Queer Meditation in Berlin. They have been co-leading queer sanghas since 2016. Coral deeply believes in collective liberation.
Josephine Tcheng
is based in Tkaronto / Toronto and works as a community educator within higher education. They have been practicing for just over a decade, growing up with references to the Buddha's teachings. They are interested in supporting the work of the TNI board as a small gesture towards supporting our Sangha more broadly. Josephine holds deep gratitude and heartfelt respect for the teachers: particularly Venerable Bhante Buddharakkhita, Bonnie Duran, Gina Sharpe, and Larry Yang, along with fellow Sangha members, who have generously held space for them alongside many beings, in our collective practice.
