Lisa Sheperd

Lisa Shepherd is a celebrated artist that has grown from humble beginnings to becoming recognized across the country for her intricate work that utilizes traditional art forms to explore and inform about Mêtis culture.

She is a highly respected cultural ambassador and knowledge carrier for the Métis Nation, and a recipient of a BC Aboriginal Business Award for Business of the Year. In 2020, she co-created Breathe: a collection of traditionally crafted masks demonstrating resiliency through 21st century pandemic, bringing notice to Artists across Canada and internationally and providing healing through art and culture. Lisa represented the Métis Nation at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Her work is enjoyed in the permanent collections of art museums and private collections across the nation and internationally, including at Gabriel Dumont Museum, Parks Canada Historic Sites, Royal Alberta Museum, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (Kansas, USA), and Museum Natur und Mensch (Frieburg, Germany).

Through her involvement at a local level, Lisa has employed her skill in interpreting contemporary Métis perspectives and ancestral histories into artistic works to create space for the local community to learn about Métis culture. In doing so, she has revitalized culture and increased the visibility of Métis people across the country.

As a mentor to Youth, Lisa believes in educating beyond “how to” and emphasizes the importance of being guided by traditional teachings and protocols, which are the foundation of Métis culture. Respecting old ways while creating in contemporary times distinguishes Métis art, keeps it authentic and will carry it through to the next three generations and well into the future.

Lisa currently hosts the segment, “kêhtê ayak” on the monthly TV show, “MéTV” which is co-produced by MNBC and JoyTV. She has a background in theatre and, in the 90’s, was host to Rogers Cable’s weekly segment, Community Connections, and stand-in host to Front Row Centre. She has been a repeat guest on the children’s tv show Tiga Talk, and choreographer on an episode of tv comedy Health Nuts. She is the recipient of numerous community theatre awards, including Theatre BC’s Best Lead Actor for her role in the world premiere of This Above All, by playwright Diane Vaden Hoven.

Lisa carries gratitude for the Old People and knowledge carriers that have shared teachings with her; Hazel Hollinger (McDonald Crane), George Campion, Mary Donald, Christopher Campion, Clifford Suvee, Tom McCallum, Garry McDonald, Emcee Moberly, Mary Delorme, Philomene Moberly, Bruce Dumont, Judy Lafferty, Stella Johnson, Phillip and Betty Gladue, and Maria Campbell.

Website: www.lisashepherd.ca email: lisa@lisashepherd.ca 

Sonja Perley

Sonja was born and raised in the Tobique First Nation community. She attended St. Thomas University and received a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work Degree. She also completed a master’s degree in Education at the University of New Brunswick. She currently lives in Fredericton, NB and works at the Women’s Equality Branch with the Government of NB as a Senior Advisor on Indigenous Women’s Issues, primarily focusing on the issue of violence against Indigenous women in New Brunswick. 

Torri Weapenicappo

Bio coming soon

Jonathon Michel

“I am of mixed Indigenous ancestry from British Columbia. I am Secwépemc (Interior Salish), Nuxalk (Coast Salish), and I have distant German and Austrian heritage. Growing up in Williams Lake, and Bella Coola, I was mainly immersed in my Secwépemc and Nuxalk cultures.

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences. I have 18 years of academic experience in the science and research fields and over 10 years of Fire Service experience, so I have attached two CVs as this most accurately reflects my professional experiences.

In the science and academic fields, I have a broad range of research experience but of primary significance is a research regulatory position, which for the past 12 years has involved direct communication and collaboration with the Indigenous government organizations of the Northwest Territories.

In the fire service, I’m currently the Deputy Chief of the Inuvik Fire Department and I have a broad range of mental health and first responder resiliency training such as Road to Mental Readiness for First Responders, Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. 

Naomi Withers

“As a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta I have a very personal connection to the story of Indigenous peoples in Canada. I have chosen to live the culture of my Grandmother and have spent the last 15 years learning more about my families Métis ancestry and culture. 

 I was provided an opportunity through my employer Shell Canada to support the creation of the Scouts Canada Aboriginal Jumpstart program in 2010. With this document I was able to dig deeper into the oral practices of the first peoples and share creation stories with many youths. Since that time I have taken on many other leadership roles within the Indigenous community through both my work and my community advocacy.   

I founded a scholarship fund in 2011 through the Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards that has granted a yearly award to a Métis student pursuing post graduate study. To me; education is the key to our growth. We must support the ongoing education of Canadians of the stories of Indigenous communities, both their struggles and successes. I have also intimately reviewed the white goose flying report and the calls to action of the truth and reconciliation committee which should guide this review. 

 As a community volunteer, advocate, and urban Aboriginal I look forward to sharing and building a dialogue with Scouts Canada that recognizes the past and moves towards reconciliation as a strategic focus of the organization.” 

Jonathan Dueck

Bio coming soon