Nicole Martel is a proud member of the Red River Métis Nation, raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty 1 Territory. She has spent much of her professional life working in community and social services, supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening connections within Indigenous communities.
Throughout her career, Nicole has worked with several organizations in Winnipeg, focusing on outreach to street-involved individuals and supporting youth who have experienced sexual exploitation. Her work has included frontline outreach and supportive living environments, helping provide stability, advocacy, and guidance for young people navigating life as teenagers in Winnipeg. Through this work, she has seen firsthand the impact of strong community-led organizations, with Bear Clan Patrol consistently standing out as a stable and trusted source of support.
Nicole also maintains strong familial and work-related ties to Alberta, where she has contributed to governance work with the Nakawiniwak Nation of Alberta.
Today, Nicole is involved with Aboriginal Alert, an Indigenous-led initiative that raises awareness about missing Indigenous people across Canada through community alerts, data collection, and public education. In Manitoba, Aboriginal Alert and Bear Clan Patrol share a common goal of supporting communities and improving awareness around missing persons.
Serving on the Bear Clan Patrol Board is an honour for Nicole, and she looks forward to contributing her experience to support the organization’s continued work in protecting and strengthening the community.