About Second Shot Support Services

 Joey Taylor is a 33-year-old Cree man whose life reflects resilience, transformation, and the power of cultural reconnection. Carrying the spirit name White Traveling Buffalo Man, Joey’s journey began in hardship and evolved into purpose.

At the age of 13, Joey became involved in gang life and was incarcerated shortly thereafter. He would spend more than a decade in prison, entering the system as a teenager and being released in 2020 as a man determined to change his direction. Those years were marked by struggle, addiction, and deep internal conflict — but they also became the foundation for his rebirth.

While incarcerated, Joey began reconnecting with his Cree heritage and Indigenous spirituality. Through ceremony, traditional teachings, and guidance from Elders and mentors, he started to see himself not as the mistakes he had made, but as someone capable of healing and responsibility. Cultural identity became his anchor. Following traditional ways helped him rebuild his spirit, mind, and sense of belonging.

After his release, Joey committed fully to transformation. He sought support through recovery networks and accountability circles to address his addiction and trauma. Rather than returning to old environments, he chose to build a life rooted in humility, discipline, and service.

Today, Joey is a devoted husband and father of three children — two daughters and a son — and centers his life around family, faith, and community. His lived experience positions him uniquely to speak on gang exit, reintegration, cultural reclamation, and restorative approaches to justice.

Joey believes that true rehabilitation requires more than punishment — it requires identity, connection, and opportunity. His work is grounded in the belief that when individuals reconnect to culture, community, and purpose, real change becomes possible.

YB Nakota (Yellow Bear Nakota) is a 2026 Juno‑nominated  Indigenous Sioux artist from Paul First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. His  music and message are rooted in lived experience, speaking  powerfully on gang prevention, addiction recovery, and  intergenerational trauma. YB has performed across Canada and  internationally — including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New Mexico  — and has been featured on major stages such as Circle Festival,  Indigenous Fashion Week Vancouver, and Science World. His voice  has reached diverse audiences, from UCLA’s campus to Indigenous  Peoples Day events, and he has been invited to the world‑renowned   Gathering of Nations. Beyond music, YB is deeply committed to community. He has supported fundraisers, stood on  the front lines of the Land Back movement, and traveled into remote and urban communities  through partnerships with Amazon Canada and TakingITGlobal to share culture, hope, and  healing with youth. Featured in ShoutoutLA Magazine and recognized as a rising cultural leader,  YB released his debut album Nakota Tayhunyabi — meaning “traveling” or “going far” represents exactly that: a journey of healing, purpose, and return to identity. Professionally  crafted and immersive, the project stands as a powerful testament to where he comes from and  where he’s going.   YB Nakota is more than an artist — he is a movement. A cultural voice. A bridge between  worlds. And wherever he goes, he carries a message that stays with people long after the music  fades: We can heal. We can rise. And we can come back to who we are.a powerful journey of  identity, healing, and purpose. He is more than an artist; he is a movement, carrying a message  of resilience and return to self wherever he goes.  

With over 30 years of experience in the field of addiction recovery,  mental health, and community wellness, Brenda Berard - Muddle is  a dedicated facilitator, counsellor, and advocate for healing within  Indigenous communities. Her work is grounded in cultural  understanding, lived experience, and a deep commitment to  helping individuals reclaim their strength, identity, and purpose.  Brenda is trained as an Addictions Counselor, Youth Worker, Grief  and Loss Coach, In Search of Your Warrior Facilitator, Medicine  Wheel and The 12 Steps (Wellbriety) and holds certifications in  Ikigai, Mending Broken Hearts, Fathers / Mothers of Tradition, as  well as mostly all Correctional Service of Canada programs, Trauma- informed care and Suicide  Prevention. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with First Nations, Métis, and  Inuit communities, delivering impactful workshops, supporting individuals on their recovery  journeys, and helping build stronger, healthier communities.  Known for her engaging and authentic facilitation style, Brenda relies on her Manitoba Metis  roots to create safe, respectful spaces where participants can explore difficult topics such as  trauma, addiction, identity, and healing. She blends practical tools with cultural teachings,  empowering individuals to better understand their experiences and move forward with strength  and clarity. Her work continues to focus on breaking cycles, restoring balance, and walking  alongside others as they reconnect with who they are.