About the Presenters

Carolynne Muncer has been a teacher and leader in the K - 12 system for 33 years. She is the Indigenous Education Coordinator for Chinook's Edge School Division and has taught Indigenous Education courses for preservice teachers for the University of Alberta and RDP for the past five years. She is committed to the work of reconcili-ACTION as an educator and to doing her part as a treaty person to listen, learn and build bridges and relationships for a better future for all. 

I am a member of the Samson Cree Nation. My paternal great-grandfather and paternal grandfather attended the Red Deer Industrial Residential School; my parents, Louis & Pauline Potts, attended the Saint Albert Residential School. An influence of their daily life in attending residential school was being taught to work as a family, working together and individually; we performed daily duties to help around the home. The examples and teachings I received from my parents became the influence and foundation of work and work ethics. I love to work, and I have had the joy of working for most of my life. 

Our home life was influenced by my father's family origin, Pigeon Lake, and my mother's family heritage. My paternal grandfather was a fisherman. His provision of fresh fish for anyone in need from the community of Pigeon Lake, as well as visitors and relatives from Maskwacis (formerly Hobbema) (who came specifically to Pigeon Lake for fish), is well remembered. My maternal grandmother, a mother of twelve children, cooked for crews of men who gathered in the fall on their farm to help with the harvest. For me, family heritage influenced my life. 

My parent's examples of family, community, and work affected me in many ways and have made me so proud of who they were and where I came from.

Theresa “Corky” Larsen Jonasson is a 63-year-old Cree Metis woman living in Red Deer, Alberta. Her grandmother Christine Fraser Joseph and great grandmother Mary Susan Potts Fraser lived and were schooled in Maskwacîs Cree Nation, Alberta.

Corky works alongside her husband of 43 years, Lynn, in the community of Red Deer, Central Alberta, and was called to work locally, nationally, and internationally. They live a life of traditional teachings and ceremonies and strive to pass those teachings on as best they can.

Corky acknowledges her “teachers“ who make it possible for her to bridge, build trust, strengthen relationships, and move toward true reconciliation.

Danielle Chamryk is Cree Metis woman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She is a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. As a Family School Counsellor/Indigenous Education Consultant with Red Deer Regional Catholic Schools, Danielle delivers educational and cultural support to students and families within the division. Danielle has been working in the Red Deer community for over 16 years.

Being an alumni of the Red Deer College, it is a great honour to come back full circle to the RDC and share knowledge and teachings with others.

Hayley Christen is a coordinator with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Learning Services with Red Deer Public Schools. She has been an Elementary school Vice-Principal and a teacher for 25 years. She has vast experience working with students with diverse learning needs and youth at risk. Hayley’s most recent work is with school administrators and teachers to build staff capacity to better meet the needs of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, creating culturally inclusive schools and classrooms. Hayley is a member of Remembering the Children Society.  She has also served on the executive of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and as a board member for the Red Deer Native Friendship Society. Hayley lives on Treaty Seven land and is a descendant of Scottish and Swedish settlers.

John Sinclair’s roots are associated with the Good Fish Lake First Nations and Ermineskin First Nations. John identifies as a non-status Cree person, and he is a second-generation survivor of residential school. Growing up in Edmonton, John experienced discrimination from other school kids early in life. This led him to believe violence was the only thing that could keep him safe, and through this, violence and substance abuse became his safety net as he grew older. When John was incarcerated, he was reintroduced to his culture and turned his life around. Today, he continues to learn about the ceremonial way of life and spends his time working with children and adults, sharing his knowledge, stories, and culture with the surrounding communities!

Pietra Banks is a Denesųłiné woman from the K’ai Tailé Dené (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), located within Treaty 8 territory. She currently resides within Treaty 6 & 7 territory. Pietra is pursuing a Bachelor of Education at Red Deer Polytechnic. Deeply committed to Indigenous issues, Pietra has actively collaborated with various organizations to address reconciliation, youth mental health, and Indigenous education. She firmly believes it is never too late to become a changemaker and a positive role model within the community. 

Sona Macnaughton is the Education and Makerspace Librarian at Red Deer Polytechnic. She has been at RDP Library since 2001. Sona specializes in information and digital literacy and open educational resources (OER). Her varied professional interests include the intersection of artificial intelligence and academic integrity and enhancing user experience in learning spaces. She finds tremendous joy in data visualization and maker culture.

Tracey McBeth Kachor is a Cree Metis from the Red River settlement; she was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and has lived in Alberta for most of her life. Tracey focuses her art mainly on canvas, but she is also known for murals in several local businesses, as well as “The Furniture Project” in Victoria in the late 1900’s to early 2000’s. She creates all types of styles, and is always growing. 

Jordon Davis is a multi-disciplinary visual artist and member of Dene Tha’ First Nation. They currently live in Treaty 7 Territory in Moh'kinstsis (Calgary, Alberta). With a year of design studies at MacEwan University and a self-directed study of film and traditional beadwork, Jordon’s arts practice is expansive and deeply personal. In their work, they are passionate about weaving contemporary expression with traditional style. A testament to their creativity and skill - Jordon received the distinguished best video award at the Powell River Film fest for their submission “Resisting by Existing” (2022). And has exhibited at The Polygon Gallery in Vancouver and the Kwanlin Dunn Cultural Centre in Whitehorse. Jordon is passionate about working with various community organizations, from local friendship centres and their band to We Matter as the multi-media creator.

I am an educator with over 35 years of experience in teaching young adolescents, and pre-service teachers of young adolescents. I have taught primarily middle school and high school students in social studies and language arts in Alberta, Canada. At the post-secondary level, I have taught pre-service teachers from year 1 to year 4, including courses on Foundational Knowledge and Designing Integrated Learning. I am passionate about growing educators to be the best they can be in order to help our children to be the best that they can be in our ever changing and dynamic world. 

The Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe Society, through the positive cultural arts, will bring individuals together to enhance and maintain many diverse Indigenous traditions. By creating and sustaining a positive, interactive understanding of First Nations protocols and ceremony, we will instill pride in our membership.

Diane is Plains Cree from the Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory and the Indigenous Education Consultant for the Indigenous Education Services Team for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. Prior to Diane entering the education profession, she worked as a Cultural Family Educator, facilitating Traditional Parenting programs. She models strong community-mindedness through a wide variety of volunteer commitments in the city. She currently serves on the Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe Society Board and the Red Feather Women Social Justice Group.  

Lloyd is the Dean, Indigenous Initiatives at Red Deer Polytechnic- As Dean, Lloyd is responsible for the implementation the RDP Reconcili-Action Plan 2023-2028. Through this plan Lloyd plays an integral role in the Indigenization of Red Deer Polytechnic. Originally from Treaty 4 Territory in Southern Saskatchewan, Lloyd was raised on the Piapot First Nation and has lived in Central Alberta for 20 years with his wife Carly and their 4 children.