Andrew Carrier

Andrew Carrier BA, RPT, CHRP is a Registered Professional Trainer and Certified Human Resource Practitioner. Andrew retired from the Government of Manitoba in 2017 and is currently the Vice-President of the Winnipeg Region for the Manitoba Metis Federation. Andrew was a spokesperson at the United Nations presenting on the history, culture and challenges facing the Metis in Manitoba. In 2013, Andrew was the official spokesperson to French Canada on the Manitoba Metis Federation’s Supreme Court of Canada’s decision on the Metis Land Claims of 1867.

Rhonda Kirkness

Rhonda Kirkness is a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation in Manitoba. Currently, Rhonda is the Director of Human Resources for Southeast Resource Development Council Corporation. She was Executive Assistant for Fisher River Cree Nation assisting Chief & Council for 10 years in a variety of capacities and is also a proud mentor/member of the youth group Empowering Indigenous youth in Governance & Leadership (EIYGL). She is a member of the Indigenous Learning Centre’s scholarship committee formerly the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA) of Canada going into her fourth term and is a Certified Professional Trainer & Registered Professional Recruiter from the Institute of Professional Management.

Leona McIntyre

Leona McIntyre is Métis and currently lives in Carberry, Manitoba. She has a BA from Brandon University and has extensive experience in community development and workshop facilitation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups. She was Regional Coordinator Aboriginal Health with the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority; Executive Director with the Council of Indigenous Elders; and Instructor at Assiniboine Community College with the Aboriginal Community Development Program. She’s been the Chairperson for the Westman Local of the SW Region Manitoba Métis Federation for over ten years and is a national award winning photographer and author.

Barry Indian

Barry Indian is a member of Onigaming First Nation, Ontario; he’s a certified Developmental Service Worker that worked with Kenora Association for Community Living with special needs in all fields. He has a degree in Education from Confederation College in Thunder Bay and worked in the school system with high-risk youth, as an Ojibway Language teacher, and Part-time Social Worker. Barry currently facilitates with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc., and Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership sharing his knowledge as a facilitator and former toastmaster.

Melissa Hotain

Melissa Hotain is from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation; she has a background in environmental studies and land management and spent ten years working in policy analysis for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs on First Nations environmental and legislation issues. She currently works as a Senior Policy Analyst in Water Issues with the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa. She is currently on the Roster of Experts on Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Commission for Environmental Cooperation (appointed by Canada).

Carla Cochrane

Carla Cochrane is Ojibway and Cree from Fisher River Cree Nation with roots in Sagkeeng First Nation. Her main area of focus is on strengthening and empowering Indigenous communities by focusing on Health and Wellness. She has taken on roles as an event coordinator, community coach, workshop facilitator, youth counselor, and public speaker.  Carla has dedicated her time to working for the betterment of First Nations people. She is determined to create positive change in their lives by encouraging them to follow their dreams, all the while leading by example.

Jonathan Fleury

Jonathan Fleury is from Skownan First Nation. He attained Business Analyst and Project Management Professional designations from the University of Winnipeg, where he acquired education in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Jonathan is a Certified Professional Trainer with the Institute of Professional Management and is currently Director of E-Health with the First Nations Social Secretariat of Manitoba. He was Project Manager with Clear Sky Connections; Manager and Project Development with ILDI, Inc. where, he managed the WIBF, EIYGL, and Information Technology programs.

Camille Page

Camille Page is Metis from Cayer, Manitoba.  Camille’s career spans over 42 years as a Manitoba Civil Servant.  His first 10 years of service were spent as a councillor for youth then in Human Resources providing services to government departments and communities. He specializes in diversity and employment equity programs, recruitment, labour and employee relations, leadership training and coaching and line level employee training, respectful workplace training and intervention. He has conducted several workplace assessments where he worked collaboratively with management and employees to develop and implement strategies to improve workplace culture and processes.

Susan Swan

Susan Swan is from Lake Manitoba First Nation and was the first Indigenous female police officer employed by the Winnipeg Police Service. She achieved the rank of Sergeant and supervised a platoon in one of Winnipeg’s high-profile districts. Susan was responsible for a shift of 22 street officers, which included making critical decisions under high-stress situations, dealing with conflict, scheduling, team building and training. Susan is a Human Resources professional with direct experience in the development and oversight of policies & procedures, recruiting and hiring practices, personnel development, union and labour relations, accompanied with negotiations and conflict management.

Patrick Wood

Patrick Wood is a member of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation located in Northern Manitoba. Patrick currently resides in his home community employed as the Director of Prevention, Alternative Care & Support Services with the Nikan Awasisak Agency. Patrick is Board Chair of Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership (EIYGL) and is a fluent speaker of the Cree language. His passion to help others also allowed him to do internship work with the Hamilton AIDS Network in Hamilton, Ont. and abroad in New Delhi India for 6 months working for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India under the National Institute of Social Defense.

Irene Linklater

Irene Linklater is a member of the Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Manitoba and is fluent in the Anishinaabe language. Irene is a Lawyer and member of the Manitoba Bar Association with a focus on Indigenous Law, Aboriginal and Treaty rights. She was called to the Ontario Bar 1991 and Manitoba Bar 2000. She is the former Executive Director/General Counsel with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Secretariat Inc. included being first Director of Research & Policy and a Manager of Research on the self-government Framework Agreement Initiative. Former visiting professor at the Universities of Ottawa and Saskatchewan Law Schools, part-time instructor at Red River College and University of Winnipeg. Irene also sits as Board Member with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc.

Miranda Smoke

Miranda Smoke is a member of the Dakota Tipi First Nation in Manitoba. She currently works at the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. as the Special Projects Administrator. Miranda has a Aboriginal Financial Management Diploma and a Business Certificate from Yellowquill College. Miranda specializes in the areas of financial management, computer technical and software management, business and office administrations. Miranda’s leadership roles have focussed on community and business development, cultural awareness with much of her work centred on education and training and the History research for Indigenous peoples and speaking the Dakota language.

Kaya Wheeler

Kaya Wheeler was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is a member of the Sagkeeng Frist Nation. Her family comes from both Sagkeeng First Nation and George Gordon First Nation. In 2012 Kaya graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Studies. Since graduating Kaya has worked within the Indigenous community in Winnipeg, mostly in the area of youth homelessness. Recently Kaya has had the opportunity to travel to places like Namibia, Africa and Scotland, United Kingdom, and is looking forward to new adventures and experiences.

Angie Perkins

Angie Perkins is from Nunatsiavut working with Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council as Stakeholder Engagement Officer for Indigenous Research in Ottawa. She has a diploma in Aboriginal Self-Government and Administration from Red River College followed by a BA from the University of Winnipeg and currently studying a Master’s Diploma at Carleton University in Indigenous Policy and Administration. Angie was Executive Director of Kivalliq Mine Training Society in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Angie has over ten years’ experience in the non-profit sector with training to employment initiatives for Indigenous communities with various sectors in Indigenous resource industries.

Jordan Fleury

Jordan Fleury is Metis with roots in Ste. Madeleine and Fort Ellice, Manitoba. He has a BA in Aboriginal Governance from the University of Winnipeg and was employed as a Correctional Officer (2008-2017) where while working with Mb Justice he obtained certification in facilitation and assisted in launching a Culturally Appropriate Program for offenders and was an instructor of Indigenous Awareness Training. Jordan served as chairperson to Touchstone (Brandon), was an active member to PITIMA, and held an Indigenous seat to Mb Justice Diversity Working Committee. In 2017 Fleurysh Consulting was registered.

Ron Linklater

Ron Linklater is from Couchiching First Nation. Ron worked in Ottawa as the NNDAP (National Native Alcohol Drug Program) Regional Consultant; alcohol and drug counsellor (Thunder Bay); Coordinator for a young adult treatment program. Ron has over forty years of experience working in the addictions field. Ron’s formal education includes a BA from Lakehead University and a Certificate in Native Counselling from Confederation College (Thunder Bay). Ron now retired, facilitates Indigenous Cultural Awareness training to groups across Canada and serves on various boards and committees.

Amber Sumner

Amber Sumner is from Pinaymootang First Nation, Manitoba. She attained degrees from the University of Winnipeg and Red River College in Aboriginal Governance and Business Administration. Amber has been an active youth leader with “Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership (EIYGL)”. Today, Amber facilitates on topics of Governance, Essential Skills, and youth capacity building. Amber is employed with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. as Project Coordinator, assists with project retention and support for programs, and is involved with the development, coordination, implementation, and liaison for the Introductory Carpentry Program. 

Melanie Dean

Melanie Dean is from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. Currently, she is Director, Executive Training with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. and Executive Director of Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership. Melanie specializes in the areas of project management, professional development, and leadership. She attained a BA at the University of Winnipeg and has worked in various Federal Government departments; Melanie is an active volunteer and mentor in the community and currently serves as Board Chair with the Urban Indigenous Theatre Company and Board of Director with the Winnipeg Arts Council.

Debbie Burka

Debbie Burka is currently Director of Planning and Policy at Norway House Cree Nation, and formerly Chief of Political Staff at the Grand Chief’s Office of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. She is a human resources specialist who has worked as the Human Resources Liaison for Peguis First Nation for seven years prior to joining AMC in 2007. Prior to this she worked with the Provincial Government as a Human Resource Specialist for fifteen years. She has a wealth of experience working with First Nation communities and all their levels of government. She served on the board of the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualification Board for the Province of Manitoba. Debbie is a member of Peguis First Nation.

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