I am a proud 2 Spirit member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation located in Saskatchewan, in the Treaty 6 territory. I presently live in Ottawa and work with the Assembly of First Nations as a Human Resources (HR) Generalist.

A seeker of knowledge and growth, my educational journey has been marked by various achievements. I hold a Management Diploma from the Yellowhead Tribal College in Edmonton, Alberta, which has laid a strong foundation for my career in the realm of HR. Building upon this foundation, I pursued specialized expertise by acquiring a Human Resources Management Certificate from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic, further honing my skills in this field.

Setting foot on the path of Human Resources in 2007, I found my true calling when I became an integral part of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) team. Throughout my tenure with SIGA, I underwent transformative experiences, gaining valuable training and hands-on expertise across the entire Employee Life Cycle.

However, my dedication to the well-being of my community extends beyond my professional endeavors. Fueled by a deep sense of compassion and service, I volunteered my HR acumen to non-profit Indigenous organizations, such as the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre (GTNT), the impactful Red Circle Planning Group (RCPG), and the 2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS) Board of Directors.

My journey in HR has proven to be immensely fulfilling, and my passion for continuous growth remains. With a profound sense of gratitude, I embrace whatever the future holds, eagerly seeking the next valuable teachings that life has in store.

It has been a rewarding experience in HR, and I am looking forward to what teachings are next. All the best. Nanâskomowin (I am Grateful).

Leslie Anne St. Amour (she/her) was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley and Kingston areas. She is a member of the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation and has mixed Algonquin and settler heritage. Leslie Anne graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2020 and is currently an Associate at Durant Barristers. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Aboriginal Legal Services and the Board of Directors of the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station.

Danielle Bazinet is an accomplished professional who serves as the Director of Human Resources for the Assembly of First Nations, a prominent national advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities throughout Canada. With a strong educational background and extensive experience in human resources management, Danielle brings a profound passion for this field to her role.

Danielle holds a Bachelor’s of Commerce (BCom) in Human Resources Management from the Telfer School of Management. This educational foundation has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices that underpin effective human resources management. Furthermore, Danielle has earned the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation, further demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning in her field.

Throughout her career, Danielle has consistently displayed a genuine enthusiasm for leadership and relationship building. In recognition of her exceptional leadership potential, Danielle was selected as one of the few non-physician leaders to participate in the prestigious Champlain LHIN Senior Leadership Program in 2018. This exclusive executive development program focused on personal leadership, change management, and leadership self-awareness, enabling Danielle to enhance her skills and broaden her perspective on effective leadership within the healthcare sector.

Complementing her passion for leadership, Danielle has also pursued additional professional development opportunities to strengthen her abilities in empowering employees and fostering diversity and inclusion. She has completed a coaching leadership program designed to empower individuals and teams, emphasizing the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Additionally, Danielle has participated in a comprehensive diversity program that provided her with valuable insights into engaging in crucial and transparent conversations with diverse populations, enabling her to effectively navigate the complexities of inclusivity and address the unique needs of diverse communities.

With her extensive knowledge, qualifications, and experiences, Danielle Bazinet is a dedicated and accomplished professional in the field of human resources. She leverages her expertise to ensure that the Assembly of First Nations can effectively nurture its workforce, cultivate positive relationships, and champion the advancement of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada.

My name is Shawna Cote, I am a Cree Woman from the Peepeekisis First Nation on Treaty Four territory.

I have over 13 years of experience in Human Resource 10 years in direct HR roles and 3 years as an Executive Director. I am a life-long learner and like to take training opportunities that help me develop my skills to be an effective and efficient leader.

I have my HR designation through AFOA Canada.

I have 8 children- 9 children with one being my niece but have taken her as my own. I have 11 grandchildren, with the youngest being 1 month olds. I love being a mother grandmother and take pride in having a close relationship with all my grandchildren. My goal in life is to finish off my bucket list and create a new vision board.

Richel is a Métis woman and a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She has both the Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation and the Registered Professional Recruiter certification. Richel has spent the past fifteen years supporting people of all ages, cultures, and abilities through the talent management process and helping organizations build more inclusive practices. She is an advocate for Indigenous talent and inclusive workplaces where everyone can flourish. She has worked as a HR professional in various sectors and is passionate about supporting the local community through volunteer work and is a strong supporter of local makers and food gatherers. Richel is currently a volunteer Board Member Board with the YWCA Toronto and also Chairs the YWCA Toronto’s Reconciliation Committee.

Jackson Dionne, a counsellor and consultant in indigenous health and financial education, has dedicated over two decades to aiding First Nations individuals with addiction. His methodology, rooted in Indigenous Health and Wellness principles, is designed to motivate these individuals towards financial autonomy. Personally embodying this vision, Jackson has 20 years of homeownership and marital stability, coupled with financial independence.

Professionally, his journey in the Addictions Field since 2001 has seen him evolve from an intake worker to managing multiple programs. He has founded his own society, developed an informative website, and shared recovery insights on YouTube. Jackson’s core empowerment pillars are Recovery, Education, Employment, Culture, and Life Skills.

Academically accomplished, Jackson holds a degree in Professional Communication. Presently, he leads an Indigenous Non-profit in BC, marking significant achievements in various funding domains.

Shauna is from Carry The Kettle First Nation, located in Treaty 4 territory and has 23 years’ experience working in the Human Resources field. She has worked for both federal and provincial, private and public, Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations throughout her career. She has travelled from coast-to-coast providing human resource services by partnering with client groups. She began her HR leadership journey in 2019 and has since moved into the C-Suite level. She enjoys working with and for Indigenous people, business, and communities. She relocated this past year to Saskatoon, SK for her dream job. She loves meeting new people and is enjoying being back in the office.

Jillian is the Chief Operating Officer with Anchored Recruiting & HR Solutions, an Atlantic Canadian HR Consulting firm in Nova Scotia. She has over 15 years of leadership experience and 10 years of direct HR experience. Formerly Jillian has worked as the Executive Director of 3 employment resource centres across Cape Breton Island. Prior to that, Jillian worked at Cabot Cape Breton as the Director of Strategy and Planning while helping lead the HR team responsible for three hundred plus employees. As the Director of Strategy and Planning she was responsible for organizational audits which led to the development and implementation of internal processes, policies, training programs as well as employee engagement, retention, and wellness initiatives.

Jillian spent almost two years in the North working with Indigenous communities and organizations as an HR advisor with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in Inuvik, NWT. While there, she served on the Regional Training Partnership committee which had representatives from across the Beaufort Delta Region, aiming to improve training and employment prospects for their communities. Jillian has her Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Cape Breton University), Bachelor of Business Administration (Cape Breton University) and her Advanced diploma in Human Resources (Nova Scotia Community College) along with her CPHR designation (Chartered Professionals in Human Resources). While being a strong community advocate Jillian is a past board member of the Cape Breton Partnership and is a current Board member of the National Advisory Committee for the Future Skills Framework Project with Tourism HR Canada.

Virginia previously provided legal advice and services during her time with two boutique aboriginal law firms with national scope (First Peoples Law LLP and Westaway Law Group). Virginia was also in-house counsel to the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). She acted as lead counsel for NWAC during the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She has been honoured to represent Indigenous clients as interveners before Supreme Court of Canada on high profile cases: R. v. Ewert, Canada (Canadian Human Rights Commission) v. Canada (Attorney General),  Southwind et al v. Canada, and Restoule v Canada (Attorney General).

Virginia holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from the University of Toronto with a double major in Criminology and Ethics, Society & Law. As part of this degree, she completed an undergraduate thesis literature review project on the unique nature of domestic violence in queer relationships and the lack of appropriate services available to survivors. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2017 after completing her articles at a boutique Labour and Employment Law firm. She is an avid reader, gardener, and animal rescuer who is happiest spending time in nature with her family.

Cori Maedel is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur with over thirty years of experience in human resources, and Founder & CEO of The Jouta Performance Group, an industry leader in outsourced HR consulting. With culture and tradition top of mind, Jouta creates customized HR solutions for the Indigenous space. We’ve partnered with 100+ Indigenous communities and organizations to complete 500+ HR projects, helping these organizations strengthen their business practices and build a better tomorrow.

Scott advises and represents clients in all aspects of workplace law, including labour, employment, occupational health and safety, human rights, and governance matters.  Scott’s practice focuses on human resources, terminations, policy development, and compliance review.  On behalf of his clients, Scott has appeared as counsel in all levels of court in British Columbia and regularly appears before arbitrators, arbitration boards, and administrative tribunals.

Scott enjoys acting for a broad spectrum of clients across nearly all industries, including not for profit entities. Specifically, Scott is passionate about his large Indigenous workplace law practice in which he provides legal advice, policy development, and training seminars for First Nations and other Indigenous organizations across British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon.

Gary Muuren is a career Human Resources Executive with more than 20 years of experience in all facets of Human Resources Management. He started his career in the rail industry facilitating organization design and development, change management and leadership and executive training. “Future Developed Management” and “Woman in Rail”

Gary headed up the Kal Tire Human Resources division before joining Baptist Housing as Vice President, HR integrating a major acquisition. He then joined Paper Excellence and JJM Construction. Heading their HR divisions before joining Nch’kay. Gary chaired several CPHR BC and Yukon roundtables and committees.

Gary enjoys setting up HR divisions in large organizations and developing systems and processes. He also has a passion for organization development and employee training and development. He has implemented several leadership and other training programs and large learning management systems. He also negotiated several collective agreements.

Gary is a Chartered Professional in HR. He received a Bachelor in Industry Psychology, an Honors Degree in HR Development from the University of Johannesburg and an MBA from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.

Shona Nelson is the Band Manager for Doig River First Nation. With over twenty years’ experience working with Treaty 8 First Nations, she has committed her career to improving the community’s governance and administration. Her work experience includes negotiating impact and benefit agreements, industry agreements and provincial government to government negotiations. Additionally, she has conducted treaty and aboriginal rights research, specific claims negotiation, additions to reserve applications and establishing band economic development corporations. For the past nine years working with Doig River Chief and Council, she has built a team of staff that have moved the Nation from dependence on government to being awarded the 2017 AFOA Community of Excellence in Leadership, Management and Administration. Key to the Nation’s success has been the focus of grassroots member engagement in community planning and decision-making and asserting the Nation’s jurisdiction on the land base. In her volunteer time, Shona sits on the board of the Northeast Aboriginal Business Society, Fort St. John Multicultural Society, and the Board of the BC Chamber of Commerce. Shona possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (UBC, 1995) and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria (2023).

Jeff launched ‘Workplace Ki’ as a model to better understand common threads leading to success. Workplace Ki blends thinking from business leaders, traditional practices, and academic research to create inclusive working cultures.

Jeff is a proud member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek with several family ties to the Fort William First Nation Community. As a seasoned workplace harassment prevention advisor, Jeff has a passion for supporting national Indigenous communities from coast to coast. Jeff has worked on a multitude of initiatives within his community of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek. Over the last 5 years, Jeff has worked alongside Northern Ontario Indigenous organizations in an HR capacity with a focus on compensation, benefits, performance management and employee relations.

Jeff actively demonstrates his commitment to building strong, healthy, and sustainable First Nation Communities. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Lakehead University and a post-graduate diploma in Human Resources from Confederation College.

Josh is a member of the Red Rock Indian Band of the Lake Helen Reserve. Due to his tireless efforts in representing First Nations and their Indigenous related organizations, Josh was recently honoured by an Elder of the Siksika First Nation through a name giving ceremony, wherein he received the traditional Blackfoot name of Awootaninaw (Shield Chief).  Josh is not afraid to tackle any legal issue or case regardless of size or complexity. From First Nation clients (both on and off Reserve) to multi-national public and private companies and local businesses, Josh guides federally and provincially regulated employers with strategic advice on all aspects of employment law.

Josh is also no stranger to the courtroom having appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada and every level of court below in multiple provinces and has conducted other matters before tribunals, adjudicators, fatality inquires, trial by judge and jury and more.  As a trusted legal advisor to Chief and Council, Boards of Directors, in-house counsel, senior management, executive leadership teams, and human resource departments, Josh guides his clients on best practices in all facets of workplace law.

Josh has extensive experience in handling all aspects of employee dismissals, human rights issues, performance management, workplace investigations, drafting policies and executive and employee contracts, and presenting training modules for clients.

As a grateful survivor of the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand, Josh received various awards for his distinguished service in rescue efforts and sparking numerous engagements as a former motivational speaker. Through his extraordinary background and varied life experiences, both domestic and abroad, Josh is able to relate to clients  from all facets of life and delivers legal advice in a practical and common sense attitude, capped with a sense of humour.

Shawna-Kay is a strategic and creative communications professional with over 10 years of experience in journalism and communications. Being from Jamaica and having studied in North America and Asia, Shawna-Kay operates from a global perspective creating awareness and telling the stories of nonprofits, governments and private sector companies.

As Director of Corporate Communications and Culture at pipikwan pehtakwan, Shawna-Kay supports and oversees pipikwan pehtakwan’s internal and external communications, recruitment strategies and employee experience, training and development and change management.

Shawna-Kay enjoys spending time with her family, basking in the calmness of rivers, and taking long walks in parks.