Indigenous Women in Community Leadership 2024

I am a Métis citizen and a marketing and communications professional. I hold a Master’s in Professional Communications, a Communications Management Professional certification, and a Chartered Marketer designation. I am the Manager of Marketing and Communications at the First Nations Capital and Infrastructure Agency of Saskatchewan (FNCIAS). Over the past few years, I have served on the boards and volunteered with Saskatoon SPCA, Women in Leadership Saskatchewan, Camponi Housing Corporation, Data for Good Sask., and IABC Canada West/IABC Saskatoon.

In my day job with FNCIAS, I work with my colleagues to support our member Nations in improving housing and infrastructure as a First Nations-led, member driven agency. In my project/community, as Métis person, I hope to create awareness, space, and dialogue to support Métis peoples on their journey in reconnecting with their culture and communities.

Currently, I work as Taykwa Tagamou Nation’s Impact Benefit Agreement Coordinator. I’ve had a long career in my community on and off reserve in many capacities. I have a demonstrated history and experience working in the fields of management and administration. I have skills in working with nonprofit organizations, government, public speaking, facilitation, and environmental awareness. I have worked with District School Board Ontario North East as an Aboriginal Liaison and qualified teacher in Cochrane Public schools.

My vision is to work with interested and like-minded community members to develop and create opportunities that will allow us to reclaim, restore, and relearn the Cree language and its link to identity.

I am Nehiyaw Iskew from Bigstone Cree Nation. I am a wife and mother to three beautiful children and kokum to one handsome grandson. I am a working professional with over 26 years of experience. My background is in First Nation Governance and Leadership, Executive Management, Chief Administration Leadership, and as a Certified Land Use Planner and Project Manager. I worked in Municipal Government and the Energy Sector (oilsands companies) as Managing Growth Consultant, for the Alberta Government, and currently Treaty 8 First Nations. I volunteer in sports activities, working with Elders and Youth.

I hope to empower First Nations and our Peoples in governance and leadership, on wahkotowin, and assist/facilitate the Nations in building sustainable workforces, and in community development. The work I do has to be meaningful. The ability to cultivate great working relationships, teaching about our ways of life, who we are, our identity, our true history, and our dependency on lands, waters and natural resources – this is what I am most passionate about. This is what would be so meaningful.

I am a proud Wolastoqey woman from Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation) located in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Being proudly of the Wolastoqiyik, “the people of the beautiful and bountiful river,” I’ve always felt a deep connection to the land, the waters, and the beautiful medicines they provide us. I earned my B.Sc. in Environmental and Natural Resources, focusing on Water Resource Management, from UNB. I plan to further my education by completing my Master’s in Marine Management at Dalhousie University. Currently, I work as the Fisheries Technician for the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick, where I have the privilege to collaborate with elders, knowledge holders and fisheries experts to create sustainable fisheries practices for our nation. As an Indigenous rights, land, and water activist, I feel truly blessed that my passions align with the work I do for my people.

As the Fisheries Technician for the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick, I’m focused on creating more Wolastoqey-led marine protected areas, where our interests, values, and knowledge are at the heart of this process. I’m especially passionate about getting our youth involved in this work and giving them a platform to have their voices heard in the future of our fisheries. Getting into the communities more is a big part of this – it’s about creating spaces for our youth to connect with our elders and knowledge keepers, so they feel empowered to take on this work and carry it forward for the next generations.

I am currently working in our community health centre in the mental health and addiction field as a lead in community activities, events, and programs. These are created with mental, social, physical and spiritual components as the core. My goal is to help build a healthy, safe community. Besides my full time job, I also sit on the Chief & Council and a council member, I am Wampum CISM coordinator for the six Wolastoqey communities, and I volunteer with the seniors group on their yearly trip.

My goal for change in my community is to work towards unity and connection within our community.

I am a proud Haundenosaunee woman from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, currently residing in the Greater Toronto Area. With a background in communication and public relations, I have dedicated my educational journey to advocacy work and organizational storytelling. This passion is reflected in my professional path, with a strong focus on Indigenous community engagement including roles in Indigenous Friendship Centres and the post-secondary education sector, where I have consistently advocated for advancing Indigenous voices and cultural inclusion.

Currently serving as an Indigenous Student Advisor in the college sector, I continue to leverage my extensive experience working with Indigenous communities. I am committed to fostering strong, meaningful partnerships and believe in the power of community-driven initiatives to enact positive, inclusive change.

I am a Two-Spirit person who was born and raised in Treaty 1 Territory. My family comes from Lake Manitoba First Nation and Ebb and Flow First Nation.
I currently work as an Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program coordinator. We are an after school program that aims to create spaces where Indigenous children and youth have safe, healthy spaces to belong and grow.

I was fortunate to grow up in ceremony, around elders, and my people’s teachings. I aspire to help give our children and youth opportunities to connect with their culture and find their own gifts. With the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program, we use a communal-mentorship approach where we hire young people to work with high school students; to build their confidence and leadership skills. The students will then run a program for their local elementary school. It’s important to give our young ones healthy role models who are from their own communities.

I own and operate Buffalo Spirit Consulting which focuses on training and development for Indigenous organizations and communities. Some of the speaking engagements I offer are: Shining the Light on Suicide and “I am just a Rez Girl.”

I love working with elders in my community to gain teachings and knowledge. Hearing the language makes me happy and touches my spirit.

I am a daughter, sister, auntie, kokom, helper, student, teacher and entrepreneur.

As a leader I want to focus on being in balance in all aspects of my life.

I have my Bachelor of Commerce Degree, majoring in Management, as well as a Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing background. Currently, in my role as Special Projects Director at the Council for Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando), I work with many Indigenous Economic Development Officers and Land Managers from across Canada on many projects, which is a passion of mine. Throughout the years, I have coordinated projects such as conferences, workshops, webinars and various initiatives. My passion is working with community, youth and empowering women. I enjoy mentoring others and do my best to do so.

The change I am trying to make is to show others a different path than what is often shown. I strive to be an example of hard work, persistence and what positivity can lead to. There are great examples in community that I have been lucky to see and learn from. I would like to be one of these examples one day. Often it takes opportunities to open doors and access to resources that can seem inaccessible. I want to try to reduce  barriers for youth and community.

I work for the Further Education Society of Alberta as a Facilitator and Trainer and I recognized my desire to help those in need in our community. Before moving to Calgary, I worked in my home community as a youth coordinator, youth Chief, and as a consultant for the Manitoba Hydro Project. This led me to the position of para educator for the elementary school. I also worked at Atoskiwin Training & Employment Centre (ATEC) as an employment officer. As an employment officer, I recognized my desire to help those in need in my community.

My passion led me to move to Calgary with my son with the hope of finding more learning opportunities and gaining experience to take back to my family and my community.

I would like to take our Indigenous Workplace Learning Circle to my community as I been facilitating in many communities across Canada.

Aanii, Boozhoo! My name is Arianna. I am the community wellness worker in my community of Whitefish River First Nation. My areas of focus are prevention around Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), violence, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and Diabetes. I offer programing with our local partnering organizations that also supports our community’s Indigenous Health and empowerment. I enjoy being an active helper in our community when extra hands are needed and strengthing our relationships amongst one another. I am always looking forward to being creative and attentive to our needs.

I am excited to be able to apply my learning into the community to encourage new perspectives of learning, knowing, and doing. It is empowering to know how much our community is capable of when given the proper tools to succeed at what they want to see in our community. By learning some of the fundamental tools, I am able to help encourage motivation and determination in our community to revitalize our need for community engagement and a two-eyed seeing approach when coming together to create a healthy, active community based on our needs.

I am a Mi’kmaw and Ukrainian woman, raised in a city in Alberta until my family moved home to my dad’s home community in Newfoundland when I was fifteen. My path has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to education, both as a learner and as an educator. I hold a Master’s degree in International Relations and am working towards obtaining my Doctor of Education (DEd), where I am investigating the role of technology in supporting cultural identity and relational belonging for Indigenous university students in Canada. In my work with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, I lead our national youth education initiative, See Different, a free program that creates space for youth to share their lived experiences, connect, and become leaders and changemakers. Outside of work, I am on the board of the Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaw Fluency Project and my local theater and I volunteer for an Indigenous-led non-profit called Odeiwin and for the StFX Kiknu Indigenous Student Centre.

My goal is to listen, learn, and to carry the insights I gain through this program forward into my community and work. Learning from, and with, others has always been central to my journey, and so I aim to foster spaces like this one that center Indigenous knowledge and ways of being and that reflect our collective wisdom and experiences. While I can’t know what the future holds, I see endless opportunities for growth, and I look forward to walking alongside others committed to driving meaningful change for Indigenous learners and leaders.

I work for an incredible organization rooted in Indigenous culture, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). I’m part of the Employment Development department and have the privilege of working with staff in career centers across the province. I strive to be fair and supportive, recognizing and utilizing the unique gifts our staff bring. My goal is to create systems that will positively and lastingly impact those who access our services, contributing to the economic prosperity of our people for generations.

My goal is to continue my healing journey and discover my identity as an Indigenous woman. As a lifelong learner, I will keep seeking the teachings of the natural laws. I have a responsibility to share the knowledge and teachings I receive from the Elders. I aim to lead by example, hoping to inspire others to find their truth and authentic selves. I want to be a positive leader at work and in my personal life.

Greetings! I am Dakota Leask (formerly Woitowicz). I am dedicated to promoting positive transitions for youth and advocating for Indigenous health and wellness. As a Lead Youth Transitional Worker, I bring seven years of experience in empowering young individuals through crucial life stages.
Currently serving on the Board of Directors for Aboriginal Health and Wellness and the Advisory Council for Indigenous Youth Roots, I am committed to enhancing community support systems and promoting cultural resilience.

I am committed to promoting holistic approaches to youth development, emphasizing cultural resilience and empowerment. By leveraging my experience and collaborative spirit, I aim to enhance support systems that address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous parents.