FORT CHIP MÉTIS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Lands and Regulatory Manager
Carmen is Metis, and hails from BC. She has worked with Indigenous groups in the Northeastern Alberta region for roughly seven years in a multi-faceted setting. Carmen will be managing regulatory and government policy matters along with the regulatory team, Kim Dertien-Loubert and Lisa Schaldemose. She looks forward to working with community members.
Caroline Powder was born in Saskatchewan and moved to Fort Chipewyan as a young girl. Over the years, Caroline has given back to her community by working for Nunee Health Board and the Kahkiyow Keykanow Elders Care Centre. Outside work, she enjoys hunting, Ski-Dooing, camping and fishing.
Caroline's priorities during her first full term as a Director of the Board include advocating for better healthcare for members by attracting healthcare staff, including midwives and nurses, to the community. She also wants to protect members' rights and help create a safer, more harmonious Fort Chipewyan for her grandchildren to grow up in.
Georgina Cardinal was born and raised in Fort Chipewyan. She has worked for the Athabasca Delta Community School for 37 years and has worked in education for more than 40 years.
Georgina is a traditional hide tanner, sewer and beader and has previously taught Indigenous crafting including Mukluks, Moccasins, gloves and beaded jewellery.
She believes in protecting and passing on Métis culture, from crafts to land-based survival skills. She also believes in fairness in representing her community. This will be her second term as a Director of the Board.
Job Titles:
- Alberta Energy Regulatory ( AER ) Consultant
Kurtis Girard was born in Fort McMurray and raised and schooled in Fort Chipewyan. He spent his early adulthood commercially fishing in Lake Athabasca and trapping in winters before moving into the oil industry, where he has worked for the past 20 years. In 2008, Kurtis earned a diploma in Resource and Environmental Law from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting Team
- Regulatory Consultant
Marina Stewart was born in Big Point and moved to Fort Chipewyan when she was 19 years old. Marina is passionate about passing on bush skills, trapping, hunting and fishing and teaches her own grandchildren to scale fish, dry meat and call moose. She believes that land-based education is as important to Métis youth as classroom-based learning.
Matthew brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position of COO, having previously served as Assistant Band Manager for Chipewyan Prairie First Nation where he was primarily responsible for on-reserve civil and commercial construction projects and economic development. With experience in communication, project management, government relations and strategic planning, Matthew brings valuable insights and leadership to his role.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Consulting Team
Robyn is born and raised in Alberta. Her mission is to empower her leaders by understanding their needs and is honoured to play her role in supporting the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Elder
- Members Coordinator
As Youth and Elder Coordinator, Shaya has a busy schedule. Her home is her favourite place in Fort Chip as it is where she can experience serenity and balance. This provides her the strength to continue doing what she knows best-helping others.
Tammy is honoured to be helping the FC Métis Nation build and actualize the plans and dreams they have for their home, traditional lands and families. She is Métis with roots deeply tied to the Red River and Batoche, and she has another Métis family here in Fort Chip. She loves being out on the land, but you will find her most of the time in the Fort Chip Métis office, working hard!