Portrait
Name
Mercedes Sandy
Company
Keepers of the Circle
Location
Beausoleil First Nation, ON
Description
Mercedes Sandy is a dedicated Indigenous housing professional from Chimnissing (Beausoleil First Nation, ON) with a strong background in housing management, asset maintenance, and energy efficiency. She is deeply committed to advocating for safe, healthy, and sustainable housing solutions within Indigenous communities.
Mercedes began her career within her home community’s housing department, where she worked in various roles supporting tenants, homeowners, and housing initiatives. Most recently, she served as the Tenant Coordinator, working closely with community members to provide essential home maintenance demonstrations, conduct unit inspections, and manage asset data collection. Beyond administrative tasks, she played a key role in educating tenants on homeownership responsibilities, supporting housing policies, and promoting long-term sustainability in community housing. She also has hands-on experience managing new construction and retrofit projects, ensuring homes meet high standards of safety, efficiency, and durability.
In April 2023, Mercedes obtained her Home Inspection Certificate from Algonquin College, further strengthening her expertise in housing assessment. She went on to earn her Certified Professional Inspector designation through InterNACHI in January 2024 and is currently training to become an Energy Advisor, expanding her knowledge in energy efficiency and sustainable building practices.
Mercedes is also actively engaged in professional development initiatives aimed at advancing Indigenous housing solutions. She is a participant in the 2023-2024 Project Accelerator Program by Indigenous Clean Energy, where she collaborates with other Indigenous professionals from across Canada to develop innovative, energy-efficient housing projects. This program provides valuable mentorship and skill development in project management, communication, leadership, and adaptability—essential for implementing impactful housing initiatives in Indigenous communities.
As of January 2025, Mercedes is employed with Keepers of the Circle as the Intermediate Energy Projects Lead. In this role, she supports education and capacity-building initiatives for Indigenous women interested in energy efficiency and clean energy careers. Keepers of the Circle, operated by the Temiskaming Native Women’s Support Group, is an urban Indigenous Hub dedicated to fostering cultural, social, and economic equity for Indigenous women. Through this work, Mercedes helps develop training programs, community outreach initiatives, and resource materials to empower Indigenous women to excel in the clean energy space.
With a passion for Indigenous housing, sustainable development, and community empowerment, Mercedes remains committed to improving housing conditions and fostering energy-efficient solutions. Her expertise, hands-on experience, and dedication to capacity-building make her a valuable advocate for housing initiatives that integrate cultural and environmental sustainability.