MEET THE EXECUTIVE MEMBERS OF THE
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION COUNCIL
Thank you to council members who are dedicated to the improvement of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit education in Alberta.
Elder Advisor
Philip Campiou | Elder Advisor
Phillip Campiou is a Traditional Woodland Cree who is originally from Driftpile Cree Nation, Alberta. He now resides in the Onoway area. As a young man, his father taught Phillip how to be self-sufficient and live off the land. Inherent in these teachings was an unwavering respect for Mother Earth and the spirituality held by all Her inhabitants. As an adult, Phillip has devoted his life to sharing his knowledge of traditional values and lifestyle. He is often contracted to do numerous presentations in Edmonton and surrounding areas. He is invited to help host many traditional and community events across Canada. Phillip is actively involved in teaching holistic approaches to health and healing.
Elder Phillip works with many school divisions and organizations across the province to share his knowledge and to encourage healthy relationships with all people.
Executive Council
Glenda Viney | Treasurer & Past President
Email: [email protected]
Glenda was born in Treaty 7 territory and grew up in Treaty 6 territory. She is a mother to two young adults -Austin & Abigail! Currently she is teaching with Edmonton Public Schools at LY Cairns School. Her thirty year journey in the field of education as a teacher, public servant and consultant has been filled with enriching experiences and amazing people. Glenda is passionate about being an ally, sharing resources with educators, reconciliation and learning something new every day. She understands and wholeheartedly accepts her responsibility as a treaty person.
Glenda Viney | Treasurer & Past President
Email: [email protected]
Glenda was born in Treaty 7 territory and grew up in Treaty 6 territory. She is a mother to two young adults -Austin & Abigail! Currently she is teaching with Edmonton Public Schools at LY Cairns School. Her thirty year journey in the field of education as a teacher, public servant and consultant has been filled with enriching experiences and amazing people. Glenda is passionate about being an ally, sharing resources with educators, reconciliation and learning something new every day. She understands and wholeheartedly accepts her responsibility as a treaty person.
Mya Young | Secretary
Email: [email protected]
Mya Penney is originally from Stephenville, NF, and is currently a teacher on Treaty 8 territory. She has completed her M.Ed in Curriculum and Learning Studies with a focus on Indigenous and Place-Based Education. She works with grade two students in Fort McMurray Catholic Schools and is passionate about supporting learning for First Nation, Inuit, and Metis students, as well as working towards decolonizing the curriculum for all children. Mya loves spending time out on the land, especially kayaking on the waters around Fort McMurray.
Shelagh McCracken | Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Shelagh is a settler who grew up in a small town in Northern BC where bears roam, salmon spawn and life remains pretty simple. This land was originally the land of Lake Babine Nation. Shelagh teaches Health and PE in Mohkinstis (Calgary) and lives and plays in Okatok (Okotoks). Currently she LOVES to play pickleball as well as bike, ski and play golf.
Shelagh recently joined the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) as the Communications Manager. Shelagh has opened an Instagram account for the Council which is attached to the IEC Facebook page. She mostly uses Twitter to tweet and retweet interesting and relevant information about Indigenous Education. Shelagh has learned a ton from the IEC's Executive members and special guests and looks forward to learning and sharing much more. Please follow the Indigenous Education Council on Twitter and Instagram @ATA_IEC or on Facebook at Indigenous Education Council.
Donna Franz| Treaty 7 Representative
Email: [email protected]
Donna was born in Squamish, BC and raised to believe every story matters. She has a diploma in Social Work and earned her B.Ed. in March 2020. Donna teaches grade 3 at CAPE Charter School in Medicine Hat, where she has lived since 1977. Donna is a passionate ally and second year member of her school’s Indigenous Education team where they strive to support fellow teachers to seamlessly include Indigenous education into all lessons. Belonging is a basic human need and Donna aims to ensure all people around her have this need met. She is passionate about learning and sharing knowledge about all things human. Donna is married to Brian, and they have two children, Dakoda and Izahbella. She enjoys family, camping, reading (anything), word games, puzzles, and sewing. Donna looks forward to supporting the council in any way she can and learning as much as she can to pass along more Indigenous knowledge to students, fellow teachers and anyone else who has ears!
Sara Fairbrother | Conference Director
Email: [email protected]
Sara Fairbrother serves as the lead for the CAPE Indigenous Education Team (CIET). Her dedication to embedding authentic Indigenous content in education is the driver for her writing, presentations and teaching practices. She was born and raised in southern Alberta, is an avid outdoorsman, and AHEIA certified as a hunters' education instructor. Sara spent several years living in countries abroad prior to entering the teaching profession which ignited her passion for cultural studies and understanding.
ATA Staff
