Youth Summit Speakers and Presenters - 2023
Michelle Nieviadomy - Master of Ceremonies
Michelle Nieviadomy is Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree woman) with a passion for wellness, social justice & community development.
She is a member of Kawacatoose First Nation and while her roots are in Saskatchewan, she has called Edmonton home for the past 20 years.
She is the Assistant Director at the Edmonton Native Healing Centre.
She is an entrepreneur with her own business called Iskwew Health promoting health & wellness in various capacities! (Zumba, meditation, bootcamp, fitness kickboxing, wellness retreats) She believes movement is medicine & connection is everything!
Counselling Services offered to Youth throughout the Summit
Lacy Runner is a proud member of the Tsuut’ina and Secwepemc Nations. Lacy has an undergraduate degree from Mount Royal University in a Bachelor of Arts-Criminal Justice with a minor in Indigenous Studies. Lacy has completed her Masters of Counseling program at Gonzaga University. She plans to utilize her degree specializing in trauma work when supporting Indigenous peoples in their healing journeys. Lacy likes to incorporate Indigenous teachings into her counselling practice, especially horses. She also plans to facilitate group equine therapy sessions for Indigenous youth who have experienced some form of trauma. Lacy currently is the Mental Health Lead for her community with the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living program and oversees all mental health promotion, awareness, education and prevention of substance use.
Kendal Netmaker
Motivator, Business Storyteller, Entrepreneur, and Author
Kendal Netmaker is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and gifted keynote speaker who is on a
mission to empower and motivate people worldwide by sharing his story that regardless of where you
come from and what challenges you face, you have the power to enact change.
From Sweetgrass First Nation, Kendal and his siblings were raised by their single mother. Life wasn’t
easy for them, growing up on the reserve surrounded by poverty and few chances for opportunities, but
one moment would change their life forever.
Kendal has a natural gift; he’s a master storyteller who weaves his real-life experiences into motivating
lessons that everyone can use in their own lives. His heartfelt stories are impactful, and he speaks
professionally to thousands of people each year on resilience, leadership, and the power of telling your
story.
He is a leading entrepreneur whose passion to succeed is contagious. Kendal is the founder of Neechie
GearÒ - a lifestyle apparel brand that gives back a percentage of their profits to go toward funding
underprivileged youth to empower them to take part in sports. He is the author of Driven To Succeed
and won over 25 business awards, including being named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40Ò and
runner-up at the YBI Global Entrepreneur of the Year.
Kendal lives with his wife and two children in Saskatoon, SK, where he continues to run his company. He
delivers virtual and in-person keynotes, as well as Indigenous Consulting to brands and organizations.
Stanley Barnaby, CEO for the Joint Economic Development Initiative
and President of Cando's Board of Directors
Stanley Barnaby is a proud Mi’gmaq from the Listuguj First Nation and currently resides in Wolastoquey Territory where he works as the CEO for the Joint Economic Development Initiative. Prior to his role as CEO, Stanley was the Finance and Operations Manager for 3 years and the Senior Project Manager for 1 year.
Stanley attended the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton for his bachelor’s in business administration. From there, he received his Technician in Aboriginal Economic Development (TAED) certification through Cando, and he also received his First Nation Business Administration certificate from UNB through the Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Institute (MMI). Throughout his time at JEDI, he has continued to grow his skills through completing the Management Development Program Certificate and Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the College of Extended Learning at UNB. Stanley recently received my Professional Aboriginal Economic Development (PAED) certification through CANDO in 2019.
Stanley has been involved with CANDO since 2015 when he was a part of the CANDO Economic Development Youth Summit Advisory Committee. The committee saw the Youth Summit come to life in 2018 and it has been a huge success since its launch. In 2018, Stanley was elected the New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island Representative for the CANDO Board where he played a key role in bringing CANDO’s National Conference to Fredericton, NB.
Stanley has a strong passion for Indigenous Economic Development and Workforce Development, and looks forward to his new role as CEO of JEDI and as newly elected President of the Cando Board.
Aubrey-Anne Laliberte-Pewapisconias
Aubrey-Anne Laliberte-Pewapisconias (she/her) is a nêhiyâskwew from Canoe Lake Cree First Nation and Little Pine First Nation. Aubrey is a recent graduate from the University of Saskatchewan with her Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, a Global Business Certificate, and an Indigenous Governance and Politics Certificate. Continuing her studies in her home territory, she is now pursuing her Master of Sustainability in Energy Security.
Aubrey is an Indigenous Youth Advocate and Environmentalist following her ancestral teachings of protecting Mother Earth for our future generations. Furthering this and promoting collaboration with Indigenous Peoples in a clean energy future, she attended the UNFCCC COP27 with Indigenous Clean Energy's delegation. Her passions have also led her to be in the first cohort of Generation Power, a previous National Ambassador of Hope with We Matter, and the previous National Student Director for Cando.
Her work extends through her time involved with numerous Indigenous organizations such as SIGA, Tatâga Inc., Canadian Roots Exchange, and more. Now, Aubrey is proud to be Canada's Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction negotiator in the G20 Youth Advisory space.
Tanya Tourangeau, Tanya T Consulting
Tanya Tourangeau is a proud Dene First Nation from the Northwest Territories, currently living on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta. Strongly believing we can build this nation together, Tanya’s work focuses on bridging partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities. Her background is in leading Reconciliation through joint economic development, policy development, strategic planning, stakeholder relations, and organizational change. Tanya has worked for many Indigenous and non-Indigenous government, non-profit and for-profit organizations to create meaningful, large-scale systemic impact.
Tanya’s Vision for her Indigenous-led consulting business, Tanya T Consulting: Through Reconciliation and Collaboration, Indigenous People and Canada Thrive Together.
Nathan Crow is a proud Blackfoot male and a member of the Kainai First Nation, also known as the Blood Tribe. He grew up off-reserve his entire life and believes that this lived experience has enabled him to walk in two worlds and see the world through a two-eyed seeing lens. Crow returned to school as a mature student in September of 2019, after taking nine years off from his educational journey to enter the work force. Since returning to school, Crow has fully dedicated himself towards succeeding and reaching his full potential. Upon enrolling in the Indigenous Governance and Business Management program, he has made the Dean's Honor list in the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, while also working two part time jobs with the University of Lethbridge: in the library as a student assistant, and with enrolment services as a student mentor. He is also the Indigenous student representative on the Students’ Union council at his university, as well as a member of the Community Futures Treaty Seven Student Advisory committee, and the National Student Director for the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers. Crow is very passionate about giving back to his community through the various advocacy and volunteer positions that he holds and is very excited and honored to participate in the 2022 Cando Economic Development Youth Summit.
Crystal Janvier-Romaniuk, Executive Director,
Treaty and Aboriginal Lands Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA)
Crystal is an Indigenous Entrepreneur with over ten years of experience as the CEO of her own company and business development and hails from treaty six territory in Alberta. Her late mother is Cree from Driftpile First Nation, and her late father is from Cold Lake First Nations. She is a proud mother of three, two young adult sons, and a young daughter. Crystal completed a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree from the University of Alberta in 2002 and a Master of Science degree in Public Health in 2006. Crystal completed an Executive Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University (SFU. Crystal received the Esquao Award for leadership in social development in 2009 from the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. Crystal also received a Community Impact Award for outstanding achievement from the Beedie School of Business, SFU, in 2022. Crystal has been interviewed by the media and featured in print ads for the Alberta Women’s Entrepreneur organization in 2019.
Crystal is the President/CEO of Sundance Enterprises, specializing in safety and quality control for the oil and gas sector for over ten years. Crystal is also the Executive Director for a non-profit dedicated to lands management and stewardship for the past 2 years and has a wealth of experience in working for and with Indigenous organizations and communities. She is passionate about promoting and living her Cree and Dene Suline values and identity and an uplifter by nature and will bring her wealth of experience in being a business leader with Indigenous communities.
Finance Session-Leveraging and Budgeting
on Tuesday, August 15th at 9:45am-10:30am
Shawna Morning Bull, Manager Business Development
Shawna Morning Bull whose traditional name is Ikannaisapiistikomi (Low Owl Hoot Woman) is a member of the Piikani First Nation which is apart of the Blackfoot Confederacy, She is presently employed as the Manager Business Development at Community Futures Treaty Seven (CFT7) in Calgary, Alberta for the past 13 years. Prior, she was a Business Loans Manager with Alberta Indian Investment Corporation and a Business Support Officer with Indian Business Corporation, but her career in business began with Peace Hills Trust in 1997. She has attended Lethbridge College for Business Management and Criminal Justice. In June 2022, attended Harvard Business School and completed a one week Leadership Program.
Shawna was on the Piikani Resource Development Limited Board of Directors from August 2011 to January 2020, an entity operating on her homelands of the Piikani Nation to develop, design and implement projects, programs and services for the benefit of her First Nation economy. Shawna, was also on the Board of Directors with CANDO as the Alberta Representative from 2013 to 2022. Shawna is the 2018 recipient of the Chief David Crowchild Award, she was presented this award by Mayor Nenshi in June 2018 for her efforts to build bridges in and around Calgary between indigenous and non-indigenous people and entities.
Shawna is married to Wade and together they have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. She enjoys attending her children’s activities such as college basketball, hockey, mixed martial arts, wrestling and they all enjoy hitting the powwow trail, where Shawna is a traditional dancer.
Natasha Youngchief, Resource Planning Coordinator,
Beaver Lake Cree Nation
Natasha Youngchief is Wapasu (White Swan), a Nehiyaw iskwew from Beaver Lake Cree Nation in Treaty Six Territory. Natasha completed the Kanawayihetaytan Askiy Program from the University of Saskatchewan, and is a Certified Aboriginal Lands Manager with The National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association. She also holds a Beef Production Certificate from Olds College as well as an Occupational Health & Safety Diploma from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Currently the Resource Planning Coordinator for her Nation, Natasha was instrumental in the revitalization of the BLCN Woodland Bison herd within her community.
Being raised on a mixed farm operation in Eastern Alberta, Natasha gained a love for animals and agriculture which continues to be a focus in her life. She owns and operates Waniska Ranch with her husband and four children. Natasha has lived both on and off reserve and experienced domestic violence, intergenerational trauma, and racism. With her lived experiences as an Indigenous woman, she has proven that with resiliency and hard work, anything is possible.
Katrina Shade, Manager,
PRDL and Cando’s Alberta Board of Director
Katrina Shade is a member of the Piikani Nation in southern Alberta a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Katrina is the Manager of Piikani Resource Development Ltd. (PRDL) in Brocket, AB. PRDL is the Economic Development corporation for the Piikani Nation. Developing Resources on and off the Nation. Katrina has a Bachelor of Management and has been employed with Piikani Resource Development Ltd. since 2014.
The Piikani Nation is rich in its wind, sun and water resource. PRDL and Katrina harness this opportunity by aiding in the development and management of renewable energy projects both on and off the Nation. Including owning Transmission Assets on the Piikani Nation becoming the first, First Nation in Alberta to become a Transmission Facility Owner ( TFO). PRDL has also developed a commercial sand and gravel pit, industrial security services, and a communications entity including an app, radio station and newspaper. In Katrina’s free time she likes to watch her son play hockey, spend time with family and travel.
Mallory Yawnghwe, Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Box Inc.
Mallory Yawnghwe comes from Saddle Lake Cree Nation #125 in Treaty Six Territory. Her parents are Peter Jackson and Theresa Anderson. She is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Box Inc. Mallory is a graduate of MacEwan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in Supply Chain Management. She also holds the SCMP professional designation, demonstrating her expertise in this field.
A lifelong helper, she is on a mission to tell the world about the rapid resurgence in Indigenous business and to take up space for those who will come after. Her passion, drive, integrity, and commitment to life-long learning have helped her catapult Indigenous Box from a $5000 seed investment into a multi-million dollar company in less than two years. She isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon.
Title: Indigenous Tourism: Sharing our Stories
Join Director of Industry Development Mackenzie Brown to learn about one of Canada's fastest-growing industries: Indigenous Tourism. Learn about Indigenous Tourism, how ITA supports the industry, and how partnerships pave the way for Alberta to become a leader in the Indigenous tourism industry!
Mackenzie Brown, Director of Industry Development,
Indigenous Tourism Alberta
Mackenzie Brown is a First Nations Cree Woman from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and currently resides in Mohkinstsis, Calgary. Brown has a background as a performer, drummer, tourism entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate for at-risk youth in the Edmonton area in addition to her past roles in Indigenous Tourism Development with both the Government of Alberta and Edmonton Tourism. Mackenzie is well known across Alberta for performing with her mom as “Warrior Women.” Together they drum and teach around Alberta for the Northern Alberta Teachers Conference, the annual Jasper Dark Skies Festival, Youth Dream Catchers Conference, Canada Day, Aboriginal Day festivities and more.
In addition to drumming, Brown is also an avid acrylic artist and traditional First Nations crafts artisan. Her art has been featured in the Pump House Gallery, the Edson Gallery Museum, the Gray Gallery Grant MacEwan, recognized for the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Award of 2017, featured for the Alberta Business Competition 2017 and sold to people travelling worldwide at Jasper Park Lodge. Mackenzie has also been awarded the 2019 Esquao Award for Children’s Future, the 2019 Indigenous Woman of the year award from the Alberta Assembly of First Nations and the Top 30 under 30 from the Alberta Corporation for Global Cooperation 2020.
Bryce Starlight, Vice President, Taza Development Corp.
Bryce Starlight represents the Tsuut’ina Nation as VP Development with Canderel MDC Development Management Inc., the entity responsible for the planning and development of Tsuut’ina Developments, a comprehensive 1,200 acre development project in partnership with Canderel that is located adjacent to the southwest border of the City of Calgary. This comprehensive development encompasses three major precincts that will be developed over the next 20 years providing for a wide range of retail, office, entertainment, hospitality and institutional uses. Mr. Starlight has an active role in managing the planning and development activities at Taza including the Shops at Buffalo Run and the Costco development and is currently leading development at Taza Crossing which includes innovative concepts such as a Living Lab and an innovation accelerator business park. He is directly involved in coordinating Legislative, Land Code and Property Tax development, as well as advising on the Nation’s strategic Public Works expansion and growth. Mr. Starlight has an extensive background working with many Aboriginal communities, and has been widely involved in both political and technical working groups relating to First Nations land management, water policy, and resource management. Bryce previously spent over 5 years in the private sector, working closely with Aboriginal communities to develop their pipeline and transmission line applications throughout Alberta and BC. Bryce earned a BA (Political Science) degree from the University of Calgary as well as a Diploma from Mount Royal University.
Marissa Lawrence, Senior Program Officer for the First Nation – Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) - Cando
Marissa has worked for Cando as the Senior Program Officer for the First Nation – Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) since July 2017. As a member of the CEDI team, Marissa supports First Nation – municipal partnerships across the country to establish respectful and equitable partnerships and to build capacity to engage in joint planning for community economic development and land-use.
Marissa has a rich background of designing and convening community-bridging intercultural dialogue and engagement programming. Marissa holds a BA in Communications, Minor in Dialogue from Simon Fraser University (SFU), Dialogue and Civic Engagement Certificate from SFU, is a Cando-certified Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED), and recently completed the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate through Vancouver Island University.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Lightning
Email: danielle.lightning@edo.ca
Toll free: 1-800-463-9300 ext 229
Phone Number: 780-990-0303 ext 229
Fax Number: 780-429-7487
