Kennedy Kiss

Kennedy is in her third year obtaining a combined degree of Education with an Arts degree in Aboriginal Studies at the University of Alberta. She was able to take a years worth of Cree language over the course of the summer which was taught by the honourable author Chelsea Vowel who taught Kennedy that there are no boundaries for creating change. Kennedy is currently in a class about management in Indigenous communities that focuses on the concept of Whatokowin, Indigenous resurgence, Native Nations, and Indigenous law. The class is presented by one of her biggest role models in this field of study, Matthew Wildcat, who was on the board for the Maskwacîs Schools Commission and responsible for the amalgamation of the school systems of the four nations in Maskwacîs. This class has given Kennedy an incredible opportunity to be a part of creating the next season of the Whatokowin podcast. Kennedy is passionate about creating a better education system for Indigenous students across Canada and improving the current education system to be based on Indigenous knowledge systems. Kennedy will graduate with a certificate in Indigenous governance as well. 

Chris Warnock

Chris is in his third year in an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree at MacEwan University with a major in Political Science and a minor in History. He is planning on applying to an honour’s degree in Political Science in the spring of 2020. Chris is interested in various facets of the political realm, both domestic and foreign. In particular, Chris is interested in the political arena of the European Union and the Canadian federal government. In European Union politics, he has studied the rise in radical right-wing populism and the future of the European Union. Additionally, he is interested in the future of global climate policy, and its impact on both Alberta and Canada. Chris has been closely working with Jean Monet Chair recipient Dr. Andrea Wagner in assisting her research in European Union politics. After his degree, Chris is hoping to apply to Graduate school in International Relations and venture into the world of public service. 

Rachel Smigelski

Rachel is completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Alberta focusing on Human Geography and Design. She is also completing a Certificate of Sustainability. Following graduation in April 2020, she plans on  pursuing a Master's degree in Urban Planning. From May 2019 to December 2019, Rachel worked as a File Planner for the City of Edmonton on the Core & Mature Communities team, completing comprehensive reviews of Land Development Applications and taking on multiple files to Public Hearing at City Council. In the future, Rachel hopes to focus on creating sustainable and equitable communities and cities. 

Rosheen Tetzlaff 

Rosheen has worked as a Research Assistant (RA) at the University of Alberta and as a Student Field Technician at Prince Albert National Park.  She is currently a Research Assistant (RA) at the University of Alberta, studying environmental science. Rosheen also worked with the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre (IKWC), organizing and presenting The Great Canoe Journey, a learning journey for students in grade 3+ to engage in reconciliation through education, which bridges cultural and water education. She received the Norman and Helen Giffen Bar None Undergraduate Leadership Award from the University of Alberta and a Scholarship for Personal and Academic Excellence from the Canadian Land Reclamation Association. Rosheen is graduating in April 2020 and hopes to continue work bridging the gap between the social and ecological aspects of the environment. 

Jared Burton 

Jared is a public administration professional with experience in post-secondary instruction, program delivery, intergovernmental relations, and policy analysis. Jared obtained a B.A. (Hons) in Political Science and Philosophy, and M.A. in Political Science at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Alberta. Jared currently works at Service Alberta (Government of Alberta) as a Senior Policy Analyst. 

Lars Hansen 

Lars graduated from Leduc Composite High School in 2011. Upon completing a degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta in 2016, Hansen began working for the Government of Alberta. He sat as a public representative on the Parks, Recreation and Culture Board and has played competitive soccer in Leduc and Edmonton. He also has been a volunteer coach for Leduc community soccer. Lars is currently a city councilor for the City of Leduc. 

Sarah Hurnard 

Currently studies International Economic Policy (NPSIA) at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Sarah worked as an intern for the Alberta Washington Office at the Canadian Embassy in 2018. Sarah also worked with a model UN for three years as a Foreign Policy Advisor and currently is the Deputy Project Manager for a model NATO. 

Amber Hedstrom 

Amber is in her final semester at MacEwan University studying Sociology with a specialization in Criminology and a double minor in Psychology and Business Law. 

Kohl Stadler 

Kohl is in his third year of Legal Studies in Business with a minor in Political Science at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. Kohl currently has a 3.75 GPA and received the Jason Lang scholarship, which recognizes and rewards the outstanding academic achievements of Alberta post-secondary students. 

Robyn Bendoritis

After graduating from LCHS in 2015,  Robyn immediately began a B.Ed at the University of Alberta with an English major and a Social Studies minor. This past fall, she graduated with distinction, and on the same day, was asked to take her first teaching position. She currently teaches English 6/7, Math 6 and Art 6/7/8/9 at Ben Calf Robe- St Clare in Edmonton Catholic School District. Ben Calf is an extremely unique school. Ben Calf is an all-Indigenous K-9 School, which places a huge emphasis on embedding Indigenous content into the curriculum. Students take daily Cree classes and have many culture options and Indigenous support classes throughout the day. The school's mission is to bring Indigenous identity and content into learning/education. This has  become a very important aspect of Robyn's life, despite not being Indigenous.  Ben Calf places a high emphasis on taking students where they are at to help them cope with the inter-generational trauma the Indigenous community faces. In her classes, Robyn places a strong emphasis on providing mentorship and helping kids see the opportunities available to them with some perseverance. Outside of the class, Robyn coaches Jr. Girls Basketball.  Robyn's education journey isn't stopping though; she has been approached by a previous professor to do a master's (and later) Ph.D.  in Secondary Education. 

Sara Weisgerber 

Sara is studying Sociology at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. Sara's future aspirations are to work with  social services in some capacity,  focusing on working with individuals afflicted with mental illness. 

Lauren Jean 

Lauren graduated with a history degree from the Univeristy of Alberta in 2018 and is now studying Education with a Social Studies major also at the University of Alberta. Lauren plans on teaching for a few years, then pursuing a MEd. in Policy Studies and then pursuing a career in curriculum development. 

Madison Pearson

Madison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and English, with a certificate in Writing Studies, from the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus. During her undergraduate degree, Madison had the opportunity to learn about issues impacting rural Canadians, including technology, health, and the environment, as a research assistant for the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities. Her research with the ACSRC, as well as her independent research, has taken her around the world to present and learn. Madison has worked in municipal administration, informing broadband policy and programming in rural Alberta. She has experience as a peer tutor for the Augustana Writing Centre and as a Court Worker for the Elizabeth Fry Society in both Edmonton and Camrose. Madison looks forward to new understandings of Canadian politics and political processes as a parliamentary intern in the Parliamentary Internship Programme . 

https://pip-psp.org/interns/ 

Emma VanBruinessen

Emma is in her fourth year studying Political Science (International Studies combined degree) at the University of Northern British Columbia.  She also a forward on the women's basketball team. Emma is pursuing municipal government jobs and an Alberta Government internship. Emma is also  looking at political party work and potentially obtaining an Education degree to teach social studies.

Jamen Young

Jamen is in his fourth year at The King's University in Edmonton, Alberta. Jamen is pursuing a degree in the Social Sciences, aspiring to teach high school and coach basketball. Jamen currently plays on The King's University basketball team and coaches the Leduc Lightning U18 Spring League basketball team.