Karri-Lynn Paul

MAEd, BA (Hons), Nutokehkikemit – Program Teaching Staff, Circle of Abundance – Indigenous Programs

Qey, tan kahk. Karri-Lynn Paul is a skilled Wolastoqewisqehs adult educator, born and raised in Wôlastôqewisqehsan (Woodstock First Nation) in what is now known as New Brunswick. She has a large extended family and grew up under the wings of her grandmother, who taught her the importance of family, community, language and education. Karri-Lynn carries many teachings from her aunties, mentors, knowledge keepers, grandmothers, and Elders that help inform her values, leadership and work. Driven by her passion for supporting Indigenous women leaders, she takes pride in providing the best holistic, culturally relevant, participant-driven adult educational programs possible. Karri-Lynn’s goals include creating safe and brave spaces for sharing experiences and empowering people to lead positive social change in their communities by applying a lens of abundance.

In her youth, she served provincially, nationally and internationally with the Aboriginal Youth Council of New Brunswick, the Assembly of First Nations, and UNESCO.

Karri-Lynn recently earned a Higher Education Teaching Certificate through Harvard’s Derek Bok Center. She holds a Master of Adult Education degree (St. Francis Xavier University). Her graduate study was entitled: “Exploring Experiences of Learning and Practicing Leadership with Five First Nation Women through Storytelling.” Karri-Lynn accomplished an honours equivalency and master’s coursework in Indigenous Studies from the First Nations University of Canada. And she completed an Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (St. Thomas University) and a professional coaching certificate (Erickson Coaching International).

Her journey with Coady International Institute began in 2011 as a participant in the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program and joined as full-time teaching staff in 2018. Karri-Lynn has 15 years of experience in Indigenous post-secondary education, working in administrative and management roles with Mount Royal University, Chiniki First Nation, SAIT and operating her facilitation and coaching business. She has also served as an elected town councillor in Redwood Meadows, Alberta (2011-2013), as a member of the First Nations Women’s Council on Economic Security for the Government of Alberta and as a national advisory member of the Going the Distance project. Karri-Lynn currently serves as the national vice-chair of the Indigenous Innovation Council, Grand Challenges Canada.

Karri-Lynn lives, works and plays in Mohkínsstsisi/Wîchîspa Oyade in Treaty 7, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3) with her husband, 12-year-old son and dog Deuce. She is an avid lifelong learner who appreciates books, travelling, and watching movies.