Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Growing up and living in Kainaiwa, specifically Saokioowohtsi, with parents who instilled both knowing who I am as a Kainaaki and as someone who would also be part of the western world gave me a strong foundation to move between my home community and outside of the boundaries of the reserve. After graduating from Kainai High School, I attempted to become a print journalist, where I quickly found myself not being able to follow that “dream.”  Life isn’t scripted; I took time to find myself and see what was out there.

My parents are both ULethbridge alumni; it wasn’t far-fetched that I would also eventually see myself here as a student. My first taste of university was when I enrolled in University Transfer Courses at Red Crow College and started my academic journey. I came to ULethbridge as a mature student and took in classes where some highlights were listening to Donald Birchfield tell his class “he was going to partake in a tobacco ceremony,” which meant it was break time so he could have a cigarette, or Hendrika Beaulieu reminding her class, “how powerful sharing food among each other is.” I loved my time as a student here and had never thought that I would end up becoming colleagues with Dr. Leroy Little Bear.

I enrolled at the University of Calgary, where I earned my Bachelor of Social Work degree. My career was focused on the helping profession, where I worked in areas such as schools, friendship centres and the health sector. My heart kept a soft spot for our underserved population, where I volunteered with different organizations such as Sisters In Spirit – Lethbridge and Sage Clan.

My full circle moment came in September 2021 when I was successful in being hired on as part of the Mastercard Foundation EleV Project as the Kainai Education Navigator. Now in 2026, I am still here at ULethbridge and excited for the future work that will come with this project.

At this time, I would like to honour my late mother, Aawaakaasakii, Deer Woman, Connie Crop Eared Wolf (BA '88, BEd '89, MEd '99) who passed this November 2025. She is the reason I am here and for all I have accomplished. Without her mentoring, her push and her paving the path for myself, I would not be sitting here today. She knew post-secondary came with challenges however, the rewards were well worth the sacrifice. I dedicate my work to her. My mother always saw the potential in her students, and she always wished they could see themselves in the greatness that they are. 

I hope our Blackfoot students see themselves in these institutions and walk in with their heads held high with a community rooting for them.

How long have you been at ULethbridge, and what do you do here?

I came to the University of Lethbridge in September of 2021 with the idea to change my line of work; I was a medical social worker prior. Currently, I work under Iniskim Indigenous Relations with the EleV Project as an Education Navigator. My role in a nutshell is to enhance outreach and create pathways to assist Blackfoot youth to be successful in their journey towards post-secondary education. I am no longer putting out fires, but I am lighting fires — and having those conversations about their individual journeys and pathways beyond high school is truly inspiring.

What's the best part of your job?

A large part of the work is relationship building and maintaining those relationships. I like being able to walk into a space where someone remembers me from a previous presentation or activity that I helped facilitate or co-facilitate. I think it is important for our youth to see themselves in these spaces that once were not readily available to them. The work we do allows us to help bring that vision to reality.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I live a quiet life out in Saokioowohtsi in my childhood home, where I spend my time with my loving husband, our doggies and horses. I love being able to be out in the country where my backyard gives me a beautiful view of the mountains.

You might catch me at the movies or taking a drive. Grabbing a dirty soda at The Movie Mill, where my favourite is “Hollywood” with coconut cream.

I like watching the LA Dodgers with my dad, with plans in the making to go see them for my birthday.

I recently took up fishing with my husband; I do not keep any of the fish.  I am a catch-and-release type of fisherman.