Trista Cave is a seasoned HR professional and trusted advisor with over 15 years of experience helping organizations across Canada create healthy, high-performing workplaces. As a Senior Consultant & Business Partner with Morris Interactive, she plays a key role in delivering innovative, people-centered solutions that drive real impact.

Morris Interactive is known for its commitment to leadership development, workforce strategy, and organizational growth—values that align deeply with Trista’s own. From Indigenous governance support to strategic HR consulting, Morris Interactive offers clients across sectors access to a multidisciplinary team that understands people are the foundation of every successful organization.

With a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and a passion for meaningful collaboration, Trista has led transformative HR initiatives in industries ranging from health and education to government and economic development. Her work with First Nations communities stands out, as she supports leaders in strengthening their governance, growing capacity, and developing culturally respectful HR systems rooted in tradition and community.

Trista brings a strategic lens and a human touch to every engagement. Whether guiding organizations through change, improving employee retention, or shaping policy, she’s known for her integrity, insight, and deep commitment to sustainable success.

Laura Debassige is the Vice President, Corporate Services for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). The SPSA is a Treasury Board Crown building an organization that will improve communication and coordination effort with communities requiring assistance during emergency events, while also leading the provincial response to emergency events.
With a robust background spanning more than three decades, Laura brings a wealth of expertise to the field of human resources. Her experiences encompass the intricate landscape of both the private and public sectors, Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, adeptly handling the unique challenges of unionized as well as non-unionized settings. Originating from the Northwest Territories and subsequently relocating to Saskatchewan, Laura has cultivated a nuanced understanding of HR service provision in diverse environments from remote communities to urban centres.

Laura has over 30 years of volunteer work in child and community advocacy, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. Her contributions extend beyond volunteering, as she has also served as a board member for several community organizations and is the current Chair for the Early Childhood Intervention Program Regina and SaskPoly Technic’s Business Management Program Advisory Committee.

Her academic achievements are highlighted by an Executive Master of Business Administration, further solidifying her credentials in the realm of business leadership and human resources management. Laura is also a member of the CHRP Saskatchewan and the ARD Institute of Saskatchewan.

James Hsu is a lawyer at PortaLaw, where he practices employment and human rights law. After working at a large national law firm, a boutique business law firm and as in-house counsel to an e-commerce technology company, James knows what works and doesn’t work for clients. He’s now found his place with the innovative and thoughtful team at PortaLaw, where he works collaboratively with businesses and workers to address their workplace needs. His clients include organizations that serve indigenous communities and employees in indigenous workplaces. James has volunteered in the past with Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program. While in law school, James was a clinician at the UBC Indigenous Community Legal Clinic serving clients in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside and worked at the Chiefs of Ontario in their justice sector.

Paula is an employment and human rights lawyer, and co-founded PortaLaw, a benefit company and Certified B Corp. Engrained in PortaLaw’s ethos is a commitment to using business as a force for good. Paula’s strengths as a lawyer come from her ability to empathize and communicate. She approaches problems with a positive mindset and thoughtful advocacy skills. Her clients include employers interested in respectful and dignified legal solutions to their workplace challenges.

Virginia Lomax is the owner and principal lawyer at Lomax Law, and provides quality legal services specializing in,

• Employment law;
• S. 35 Aboriginal and Treaty rights;
• Human rights (Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provincial and federal human rights codes)
• Specific Claims;
• First Nations’ Bylaws;
• Not-for-profit corporate governance;
• Justice and policy reform;
• Self-governance agreements;
• Civil litigation; and
• Contract drafting.

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.

Brent Marks is an associate lawyer at Nelligan Law in our Labour and Employment practice groups.

Brent is passionate about safeguarding the interests of people from all walks of life, while fighting injustice and discrimination in the workplace and beyond. He strongly there is no unskilled labour and that that workers’ rights are fundamental to democratic society. Brent advises labour unions and employees on labour and employment, administrative, constitutional, and human rights law, with significant experience advising workers in the Federal Public Service.

Brent also represents and advises international civil servants and national employees of International Organizations within their respective Internal Justice Systems. He provides advice at all stages of proceedings, from Management Evaluation to the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), and the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT). He holds a certificate in the Law of International Organizations from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.

Brent draws upon his diverse international experience to be a versatile and adaptable advocate for his clients. Before private practice with Nelligan, Brent worked as in-house counsel with a Berlin tech start-up and advocated for refugee claimants as a legal consultant with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in South Africa. Prior to joining Nelligan Law, he articled with a prominent Toronto union-side labour firm.

Brent grew up in Toronto and has lived a nomadic life with stints in New York City, Berlin, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. Before becoming a lawyer, Brent was a professional musician. He loves hunting for new music and old records, enjoys running, and spending time with his family.

Taylor McPherson is a proud Mi’kmaw woman with roots in Miawpukek First Nation in Newfoundland and Labrador, who was born and raised in Alberta and now calls Edmonton home. A former national champion wrestler, coach, researcher, and speaker, Taylor’s journey has been shaped by resilience, identity, and the transformative power of sport.

After earning both her Bachelor’s and Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Alberta, Taylor focused her research on women’s health in sport, using Indigenous methodologies to explore female wrestlers’ experiences with menstrual cycles and moon time teachings. Today, she coaches the next generation of athletes while working with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta to create accessible sport opportunities for Indigenous youth and families across the province.

Taylor has helped lead major initiatives in Indigenous sport, including supporting the return of wrestling to the North American Indigenous Games for Team Alberta, and serving as head coach for Team Alberta women’s wrestling at the Canada Summer Games. Most recently, she became co-winner of The Amazing Race Canada alongside her best friend and teammate Katie Mulkay. Through her story, Taylor inspires others to embrace identity, overcome barriers, and find strength through sport and community.

Karyne Montigny is a Senior Advisor, Organizational Effectiveness at CBC/Radio-Canada, where she supports talent acquisition strategy and strategic workforce initiatives. She previously led Indigenous recruitment initiatives within the federal public service, where she developed

practical tools and training to support managers in hiring and onboarding Indigenous students and professionals. Her work focuses on translating inclusion and equity objectives into concrete, operational practices that improve both recruitment and employee experience.

Chantel Niven is an Indigenous Human Resources professional with extensive experience across both private and public sector industries, where she has held various leadership roles. She currently serves as Chief Consultant at Wolves & Willow Consulting, specializing in HR leadership, organizational development, and executive management mentoring. Wolves & Willow Consulting is dedicated to supporting Chapter 22 of the Umbrella Final Agreement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, specifically #92.

Chantel is of Northern Tutchone and Tlingit descent, and is a proud member of the Selkirk First Nation in Yukon. She holds academic qualifications in Renewable Resource Management and Business Administration, and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration in Indigenous Business Leadership through Simon Fraser University. She comes from one of the largest Indigenous families in the North and is a mother of two young daughters.

Driven by a passion for strengthening Nations through capacity building and self-determination, Chantel strives to harmonize Indigenous knowledge and well-being with Western HR practices through a decolonized approach. She is committed to fostering meaningful relationships grounded in a people-centered philosophy.

I began my career in the Canadian Armed Forces as an avionics technician and stayed in the aerospace sector for several years with Bristol Aerospace and Boeing Canada as a Production Manager on the 747 Program. I have many years of management experience in a variety of sectors including working with Indigenous youth in Kenora, and the Finance Manager for Wauzhusk Onigum FN. I have worked in retail as the Director of Distribution for McDairmid Lumber and the General Manager of Neechi Commons in 2014. My current role is Executive Director of N’Dinawemak – Our Relatives Place providing support to the homeless Indigenous community. I have served on several boards and committees over the years including the North End Biz Association, The Jubilee Fund, the Momentum Centre, Bear Clan Patrol and
currently SEED Winnipeg. I am a proud north ender, a father and husband, musician and a member of Peguis First Nation.

Christina Tachtampa is a global development professional with over a decade of experience working across Asia, Africa, and Indigenous communities in Canada. Her work focuses on sustainable livelihoods, capacity development, and organizational growth. She currently serves with the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government as the Director of Learning & Organizational Development, where she leads initiatives rooted in Indigenous governance, systems change, and collaborative planning. Key areas of focus include strategic implementation, HR and talent development, learning design, and change management.

Christina holds a Master’s in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, specializing in corporate innovation, the entrepreneurial economy, and social impact. She also earned a BA in History from Toronto Metropolitan University, a certificate in Social Innovation and Design from Jiangnan University, China focused on food security, and is a Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner.

She is an immigrant to Turtle Island from Kalamata, Greece, she carries Pontic Greek ancestry from Minor Asia.

I am a proud mother, fiancé, and of Plains Cree Iskwew from Kawacatoose First Nation from Treaty 4 territory, German and English ancestry. I am originally from Regina, Saskatchewan and a member of Kawacatoose First Nation in Treaty Four Territory.

I am honoured to be working for Wasauksing First Nation in Ontario as the Human Resource Manager. I graduated from the First Nations University of Canada with my Business Administration Degree in Human Resource Management. I have combined experience and education working in the human resource profession. My background in Human Resources focused on recruitment, new hire orientation, social media, presentations, event planning, interviewing, and building relationships with communities, partners and clients. My previous educational background was Child and Youth Care and Youth Recreation Activity Worker, from Red River College in Winnipeg, MB. I gained years of experience working with vulnerable children and youth in inner cities.