About Andy
Andy's Story
Andy is Northern Tutchone with German and Danish ancestry. Born and raised in Whitehorse he is of the Crow Clan and a member of the White River First Nation.
He is an author, registered social worker, former Officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly as the Child and Youth Advocate, a pastor, owner/operator of “Getting Better Consulting Services”, a step-dad, grandfather, musician and poet.
Andy attended Lower Post Indian Residential School for 3 years and is a survivor of sexual, physical and emotional abuse in that system. Andy has spent 10.5 years in prison, over 10 years on Vancouver's Skid Row, was a chronic alcoholic for 27 years, a heroin, cocaine addict for 23 years and is now going on 31 years of being clean and sober.
Andy obtained a Bachelor of Social Work Degree through the University of Regina graduating in 2000. Andy has worked in three different Wilderness Substance Abuse Treatment Centers as a clinical therapist and has designed and delivered programming in those treatment centers. He has worked in every Yukon community and in Northern British-Columbia.
As an author, Andy has also self-published his autobiography titled, “FREE MAN WALKING”.
Andy now lives in Carmacks, Yukon. He is married to Estelle. He has two stepsons, four grandchildren, 6 dogs and 4 cats.
Mission & Values
At Positive Choices, our mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities to heal from trauma and create a brighter future. We believe in the power of resilience, the importance of cultural connection, and the possibility of transformation. Our approach is grounded in respect, compassion, and understanding.
ANDY NIEMAN, BSW, RSW
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
- Graduated with Degree in Social Work
June 10, 2000 from University of Regina. - COMMUNITY THERAPIST: Kwan Lin Dun First Nations Community Wellness Program (1999 – 2002)
DUTIES: One to One Counselling, Group Therapy, Acting Supervisor staff of eight. - SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPIST: TAT-LA-MUN WILDERNESS TREATMENT CENTER ADULT and YOUTH PROGRAMS. (4 Programs, 1999 – 2004)
DUTIES: Program Design and Delivery. Facilitation, One to One Counselling, Group Therapy, Out-on-the-land Programming. Impacts of Residential School Workshop Facilitation. - RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL THERAPIST: I.R.S. (Indian Residential School) Support Program with Health Canada (2001 – 2017)
DUTIES: Grief Counselling, Grieving/Healing Circle Facilitation, Lead Counselor, - CHILDREN’S OUTREACH THERAPIST: with Yukon Territorial Government at Child Abuse Treatment Services for 3 years (2002 – 2004)
DUTIES: Children’s Therapy Counselling, Play Art Therapy, Parent Counselling, Brain Function Education, Community Development - COMMUNITY THERAPIST: Counseling Residential School Survivors and their families (2004 – 2009 in Private Practice)
DUTIES: One to One Counselling, Substance Abuse Treatment, Healing Circle Facilitation, - CLINICAL THERAPIST: at JACKSON LAKE HEALING CAMP Wilderness Treatment Centre (12 programs, 2009 – 2015)
DUTIES: Clinical Counselor. Program Design and Delivery. Group Therapy. One to One Counselling. Master of Ceremonies at Graduation Ceremony - YUKON CHILD and YOUTH ADVOCATE (2009 – 2014)
DUTIES: Established the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate. Developed Protocol to Streamline Services between Advocate office and Yukon Government Agencies. Interpreted Advocate Legislation. One to One Counselling with Children and Youth. Developed Brochures, Website, Logo. Travelled to Communities, Schools and other Government Agencies. - YUKON CRISIS INTERVENTION THERAPIST (Yukon-wide): First Nation Access Program KwanLin Dun First Nation (2013 – 2018)
DUTIES: Crisis and Grief Counselling. Healing Circle Facilitation. - “POSITIVE CHOICES, POSITIVE VOICES” COMMUNITY MOBILE TREATMENT PROGRAM DESIGNER and FACILITATOR (2015 – Present)
DUTIES: Designed, Developed and Delivers Program. Organizes Program Set-up in Communities.
