Work History
Athabasca Tribal Council – Fort McMurray, AB
Director of Education, Culture & Language
(April 2019 - Present)
This position is responsible for the management of four full time staff. The programs that are offered include Land Based Learning, Post Secondary Student Support Program, Upgrading Student Support Funding, the Boarding Home Program, Sports & Recreation programming, Indian Residential School Support Program, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, 60s scoop and day school supports. In addition, I led the successful Cultural Festival event in Fort McMurray in 2019 (+5K attendees).
Project Manager
(September 2018 - April 2019)
In this position, I am the primarily the Climate Leadership Coordinator, supporting member First Nations with their green energy initiatives and securing grant funding for community and tribal council green projects. The remainder of the position is working with each department (Health, Child & Family Services and Education & Training) with project development and identification of funding opportunities. In addition, I am responsible for building and infrastructure management and fleet management.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo – Fort McMurray, AB
Manager, Indigenous & Rural Relations
(April 2011 to September 2018)
The priority areas for this position is ensuring enhanced Indigenous & rural communities participation in municipal decisions, the First Nation infrastructure cost-sharing agreements regarding infrastructure projects and service provision, development of a municipal policy on First Nation and Métis Consultation and new initiatives such as the Municipality's role in reconciliation and working in collaboration with the Rural Coalition. Supervisory responsibilities include 10 full time staff and 9 on-call staff. The focus of this position is to support the day to day operations as well as the strategic direction of the Department.
Senior Advisor, Rural and Aboriginal Relations
(December 2010 – April 2011)
This position is responsible for facilitating and coordinating rural and Aboriginal stakeholder engagement regarding infrastructure projects, service provision and cost-sharing agreements for hamlets and First Nations within the Municipality of Wood Buffalo; liaise with stakeholder groups including First Nations and Métis leadership and Federal and Provincial governments.
Government of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Program Analyst, First Nations Development Fund
(August – December 2010)
This position is responsible for researching and analyzing information and data for First Nations gaming; facilitating and coordinating specific projects within the First Nations Development Fund; liaison with each First Nation and gaming commission; and respond to program inquiries.
Research Assistant, First Nations Relations, Aboriginal Relations
(July 2008 – July 2010)
The priority areas for position includes researching and analyzing relevant information and data for Department initiatives; liaison with several stakeholder groups; and providing information and advice to policy coordinators, director, senior officials, non-governmental stakeholders and the public.
National Aboriginal Day Coordinator, Aboriginal Relations
(May 2007– July 2008)
The primary focus was to coordinate the Aboriginal Relations’ National Aboriginal Day event and grant program; as well as supporting the Aboriginal Initiatives sector by participating with Cross-Ministry initiatives and providing initial research on policy initiatives.
University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Seminar Leader, Faculty of Native Studies
(January – May 2007)
I led discussions reflecting course content and various topics and issues that were presented in bi-weekly lectures by Dr. James Dempsey.
Canadian Forum on Civil Justice – Edmonton, AB
Research Assistant, Mapping Project on Self-Represented Litigants
(August – October 2006)
My duties included completing assessments of existing social and legal services of self-represented litigants and unrepresented accused in the North-East region of Alberta. Following the assessment I traveled to Hinton, Grande Prairie, High Prairie, Peace River and High Level to conduct interviews, which were then compiled into a comprehensive review of service gaps and network maps.
University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Research Assistant, Cree Language Program (SSHRC)
(June – July 2006)
Assessment of Cree language programs in Alberta, addressed lack of resources and accredited fluent Cree teachers, and prepared research methods for the Standard Research Grant.
Seminar Leader, Faculty of Native Studies
(January – August 2006)
Working under the supervision of Dr. Ellen Bielawski, my duties were to lead discussions in a seminar format around the various topics and issues that are presented in the bi-weekly lectures.
Alberta Pacific Forest Industries – Boyle, AB and Fort McMurray, AB
Summer Student, Aboriginal Affairs
(May – August 2005)
The responsibilities for this position included research and compilation of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations submission (AlPac was rewarded silver level recognition as a result), the management of relevant resource materials, and the facilitation of public relation events.
Summer Student, Woodlands
(May – August 2004 and June – August 2003)
On the Woodlands poplar farm I oversaw summer hybrid poplar planting, GPS plotting of planting fields and applied herbicide/pesticide.
Director of Education, Culture & Language
(April 2019 - Present)
This position is responsible for the management of four full time staff. The programs that are offered include Land Based Learning, Post Secondary Student Support Program, Upgrading Student Support Funding, the Boarding Home Program, Sports & Recreation programming, Indian Residential School Support Program, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, 60s scoop and day school supports. In addition, I led the successful Cultural Festival event in Fort McMurray in 2019 (+5K attendees).
Project Manager
(September 2018 - April 2019)
In this position, I am the primarily the Climate Leadership Coordinator, supporting member First Nations with their green energy initiatives and securing grant funding for community and tribal council green projects. The remainder of the position is working with each department (Health, Child & Family Services and Education & Training) with project development and identification of funding opportunities. In addition, I am responsible for building and infrastructure management and fleet management.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo – Fort McMurray, AB
Manager, Indigenous & Rural Relations
(April 2011 to September 2018)
The priority areas for this position is ensuring enhanced Indigenous & rural communities participation in municipal decisions, the First Nation infrastructure cost-sharing agreements regarding infrastructure projects and service provision, development of a municipal policy on First Nation and Métis Consultation and new initiatives such as the Municipality's role in reconciliation and working in collaboration with the Rural Coalition. Supervisory responsibilities include 10 full time staff and 9 on-call staff. The focus of this position is to support the day to day operations as well as the strategic direction of the Department.
Senior Advisor, Rural and Aboriginal Relations
(December 2010 – April 2011)
This position is responsible for facilitating and coordinating rural and Aboriginal stakeholder engagement regarding infrastructure projects, service provision and cost-sharing agreements for hamlets and First Nations within the Municipality of Wood Buffalo; liaise with stakeholder groups including First Nations and Métis leadership and Federal and Provincial governments.
Government of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Program Analyst, First Nations Development Fund
(August – December 2010)
This position is responsible for researching and analyzing information and data for First Nations gaming; facilitating and coordinating specific projects within the First Nations Development Fund; liaison with each First Nation and gaming commission; and respond to program inquiries.
Research Assistant, First Nations Relations, Aboriginal Relations
(July 2008 – July 2010)
The priority areas for position includes researching and analyzing relevant information and data for Department initiatives; liaison with several stakeholder groups; and providing information and advice to policy coordinators, director, senior officials, non-governmental stakeholders and the public.
National Aboriginal Day Coordinator, Aboriginal Relations
(May 2007– July 2008)
The primary focus was to coordinate the Aboriginal Relations’ National Aboriginal Day event and grant program; as well as supporting the Aboriginal Initiatives sector by participating with Cross-Ministry initiatives and providing initial research on policy initiatives.
University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Seminar Leader, Faculty of Native Studies
(January – May 2007)
I led discussions reflecting course content and various topics and issues that were presented in bi-weekly lectures by Dr. James Dempsey.
Canadian Forum on Civil Justice – Edmonton, AB
Research Assistant, Mapping Project on Self-Represented Litigants
(August – October 2006)
My duties included completing assessments of existing social and legal services of self-represented litigants and unrepresented accused in the North-East region of Alberta. Following the assessment I traveled to Hinton, Grande Prairie, High Prairie, Peace River and High Level to conduct interviews, which were then compiled into a comprehensive review of service gaps and network maps.
University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Research Assistant, Cree Language Program (SSHRC)
(June – July 2006)
Assessment of Cree language programs in Alberta, addressed lack of resources and accredited fluent Cree teachers, and prepared research methods for the Standard Research Grant.
Seminar Leader, Faculty of Native Studies
(January – August 2006)
Working under the supervision of Dr. Ellen Bielawski, my duties were to lead discussions in a seminar format around the various topics and issues that are presented in the bi-weekly lectures.
Alberta Pacific Forest Industries – Boyle, AB and Fort McMurray, AB
Summer Student, Aboriginal Affairs
(May – August 2005)
The responsibilities for this position included research and compilation of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations submission (AlPac was rewarded silver level recognition as a result), the management of relevant resource materials, and the facilitation of public relation events.
Summer Student, Woodlands
(May – August 2004 and June – August 2003)
On the Woodlands poplar farm I oversaw summer hybrid poplar planting, GPS plotting of planting fields and applied herbicide/pesticide.
Academics |
Bachelor of Arts NS Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta
2003–2010 Edmonton, Alberta High School Diploma Edwin Parr High School 1998–2003 Athabasca, Alberta |
Associations |
Support Through Housing Team
September 2017 - March 2019 Board Member Kidsport Wood Buffalo September 2017 - March 2019 Committee Member Eagle Ridge Summer Block Party Committee July 2017 - present Co-Chair Fort Chipewyan Pet Rescue Society September 2014 – present Foster Home Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) October 2014 - May 2016 AANDC Community Capacity Support & Urban Partnerships Program Funding Review Committee Member Regional Aboriginal Recognition Awards (RARA) September 2012 – April 2013 Assistant Coordinator Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre (NAFC)
National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)
Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA)
|
Awards
|
Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women's Esquao Awards 2022
Top 50 under 50 - Your McMurray Magazine 2016 University of Alberta Student’s Union Rising Star Award 2006 Western Lakota Aboriginal Economic Development Scholarship 2005 University of Alberta Adrian Hope Award for Academic Excellence 2005 Student’s Union Leadership Award 2003 |