Board Members and Staff

Our Board

Oscar Kistabish

Elder

Québec

Chief Austin Bear

President

Saskatchewan

Pamela Charlong

Vice President
Alternate: Justin Strongman

Youth Substance Addiction Committee

Angela Miljour

Treasurer

Saskatchewan

Keith Leclaire

Special Advisor

Tina Laurin

Ex-Officio

Indigenous Services Canada

Camilla Sehti

Secretary
Alternate: Sabrina Guzman

NUNAVUT

Dr. William Mussell

Alternate: Dr. Brenda Restoule

First Peoples Wellness Circle

Nelson Alisappi

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS

Dawna Gillis-Prosper

Alternate: Michelle Anderson

Atlantic region

Wanda Smith

Alternate: Francine Pellerin

Ontario

Angela Miljour

Alternate: Melissa Bryan

Québec

Isaias Harper

Alternate: Marilyn Linklater

Manitoba

Jo-Anne Packham

Alternate:

Alberta

Duanna Johnston-Virgo

Alternate: Katie Hughes

First Nations Health Authority, British Columbia

Jayla Rousseau-Thomas

Alternate: Alexis Andersen

Yukon

Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Alternate: Theresa Etchinelle

Northwest Territories

Staff

Policy & Partnerships

Dr. Carol Hopkins

Chief Executive Officer

Ext 301

Dr. Carol Hopkins is the chief executive officer of the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation and is of the Lenape Nation at Moraviantown, Ontario. Carol was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada in 2018. In 2019, she was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws from Western University. Carol has spent more than 20 years in the field of First Nations addictions and mental health. She holds both a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a degree in sacred Indigenous Knowledge, equivalent to a PhD in western based education systems. Carol also holds a sessional faculty position at the School of Social Work at King’s University College at Western University.

Carol has co-chaired national initiatives known for best practice in national policy review and development, resulting in the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum (FNMWC) framework, the Honouring Our Strengths: A Renewed Framework to Address Substance Use Issues Among First Nations People in Canada, the Indigenous Wellness Framework, and best practice guidelines for culturally based inhalant abuse treatment. Carol has also inspired the development of the Native Wellness AssessmentTM. In recognition of this work, she received the Champions of Mental Health Award 2015 for Research/Clinician, the Health Canada Innovations Award, was a member of the leadership advisory council to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and was part of the Canadian delegation to the 2016 United Nations General Assembly, Special Session on the World Drug Problem. Carol also participates on a national mental health advisory council to the federal Minister of Health.

Julie Le

Executive Administrative Assistant / Governance Coordinator

Ext 306

Julie Le is the Executive Administrative Assistant/Governance Coordinator for the Policy and Partnership team at Thunderbird and provides direct support to the CEO and the Board of Directors. Previously, she held a similar position at Caldwell First Nation in Leamington. Julie also worked as a Department Assistant at the University of Windsor, and was Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs and Services at the University of Toronto.

Julie is a first-generation Canadian, whose parents were born in Vietnam and met in Canada at a refugee camp. Julie loves music, especially live performances because she feels that concert atmospheres inspire hope. Photography is her other passion, which is focussed mostly on capturing sunrises and sunsets, especially near water. Charlie (boy) is also close to Julie’s heart as her first ever pet dog (Chihuahua), who she adopted during the pandemic.

Jennifer Bridle

Project Coordinator

Ext 315

Jennifer Bridle is a project coordinator for the policy and partnership team at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She has a Bachelor of Arts in History and English from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Calgary specializing in the colonial history of the Americas.

Before joining Thunderbird Jennifer worked at the University of Windsor in admin and special projects: Special Projects Coordinator to the Deans of Law; Special Projects Assistant to the Vice President, Finance and Operations; Graduate Student Admin – Faculty of Law and Faculty of Engineering.

Outside of work Jennifer enjoys spending time with her two daughters, riding and spending time with her horses, and walking/hiking with her dog. She also loves to travel and experience cultures, enjoys genealogy and family history, and in her family Jennifer is known for making a decent loaf of bread from scratch!

Kanatahe'le Brown

Youth Engagement Lead

Ext 318

Katie Hoffman

Knowledge Mobilization Specialist

Ext 411

Katie Hoffman is a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist on the Policy and Partnership team at Thunderbird. She earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and a Research master’s degree in philosophy from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, specializing in phenomenology. Katie’s areas of research interest centre around the subjective experience of drug-induced altered states and addiction on the levels of temporality, spaciality, and understanding the self as it relates to others and the world. Her master’s research explored the subjective experience of a sensation of love during states of opioid intoxication through reference to phenomenological structures of perception.

Outside of work Katie loves to discover new music, travel and explore - open to the world as it presents new opportunities. The values of authenticity and love inspire Katie to seek a life worth living, shared with family and friends, including her cat Pennie who (inevitably) is also a central locus of meaning-making and joy.

Deanna Jones-Keeshig

National Mental Wellness Coordinator

Ext 408

Deanna Jones-Keeshig is the National Mental Wellness Coordinator at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is an Anishinabe-Kwe from Shawanaga First Nation in Ontario. Deanna obtained her Honours B.S.W (Native Human Services) at Laurentian University and has dedicated herself to the pursuit of Indigenous Knowledge and practice grounded in the Midewiwin ‘way of the heart’ teaching and lifeways. She has more than 30 years of practice in working with First Nations to support wholistic, culturally relevant, community specific, strength-based approaches towards health, healing and wellness.

Deanna’s experience as a coordinator has provided her the opportunity to support this approach through collaborating with partners, creating networks and building teams to facilitate strategic initiatives and policy to support a collective vision of health, healing and wellness that is culturally safe, and trauma informed to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes.

Deanna is a devoted mother and grandmother and supports her family’s wellbeing through strong connections and relations through community, cultural and ceremonial gatherings and practices. She enjoys reading work from Indigenous authors, listening to music, beading contemporary reflections to traditional designs, as well as travelling and hiking.

BarbaraAnn Horner

Regional Mental Wellness Coordinator (B.C.)

Ext 402

BarbaraAnn Horner is Thunderbird’s Regional Coordinator for British Columbia. Her post-secondary studies include Women and Genders, and trauma-based addiction counselling. Her training along with a passion for harm reduction resulted in tenured expertise in frontline crisis intervention and doula work. BarbaraAnn is also a strong advocate for safer spaces and unbiased inclusion.

Living off the land and wholistic healing are close to BarbaraAnn’s heart and inform her existence and practice. This has resulted in her special relationship with saging and land-body healing methods. In her private life, BarbaraAnn is proud to be known as a mother, grandmother, auntie and friend.

Tina Linklater

Regional Mental Wellness Coordinator (Man.)

Ext 419

Tina Linklater is Thunderbird’s Regional Mental Wellness Coordinator for Manitoba, and she brings a wealth of knowledge in community wellness and community social development to her role. Tina works with Thunderbird and First Peoples Wellness Circle to establish regional representation to strengthen mental wellness capacity; assess regional mental wellness needs and maintain relationships with stakeholders within the region.

Tina is Midewiwin from the Minweyweywigaan Lodge in Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation. Her love of working with families connected her to the community of Roseau River and began her career of 24 years in the health and wellness field. Tina hopes to continue growing her knowledge of nurturing growth in community wellness, guided by culture, relationship, and Sacred Knowledge.

In her personal life, Tina is a nokoum and mother of two young adults. She grew up on the shorelines of Loon Narrows and O’pipon na piwin, Manitoba. Tina is Cree, with a blend of Scottish and English ancestry. She was raised with the values and teachings that came from being surrounded by family at the fish camp & the trapline. Tina is also the great, great granddaughter to Annie Moose (who lived to be 113 years old).

Barbara Michel

Regional Mental Wellness Coordinator (Sask.)

Ext 417

Barbara Michel is Thunderbird’s Regional Coordinator for Saskatchewan. She is Cree from the northern Saskatchewan community of Deschambault Lake and is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Barbara speaks her language fluently and lives a traditional lifestyle with a passion for learning about her culture. She hopes one day to hold the title of Elder. Barbara has worked in the Social Services field for more than 20 years, and previously held the positions of Supervisor for a receiving home, Manager for a family wellness centre, Manager for a land-based crystal meth treatment facility and Treatment Director for the Prince Albert Grand Council.

Barbara is a loving mother to six boys. She enjoys spending time outdoors, practicing a traditional lifestyle and passing down teachings to her children. She is most happy when her boys are happy, when they are proud of accomplishments or when they get excited after trying new things. Barbara also enjoys crafting, beading, painting, and using her Cricut to make beautiful décor or personalized gifts for family and friends.

Operations & Finance

Annette Howlett

Operations Manager

Ext 300

Annette Howlett is the Operations Manager at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. Annette grew up on a farm in Delaware Township and currently resides in London, Ontario. She has a specialist Bachelor of Arts in social cultural Anthropology from the University of Toronto. She is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and has worked in various facets of human resources including recruitment and selection, payroll, and as a human resources manager before joining Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.

Outside of work, Annette enjoys watching films, reading, and listening to music. She is a lifelong learner who enjoys exploring topics related to health and wellbeing. She loves spending time with her grandchildren and her little dog.

Cheryl White

Finance Manager

Ext 314

Cheryl White (Yokonikoli) is the finance manager at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. Her educational background is in administration and human resource management. She has worked in residential treatment settings, in administration and in finance for 24 years.

Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. Her quiet time at home is spent sewing, quilting, and crafting. Cheryl attends Longhouse Ceremonies and says in general, she tries to be the best person she can.

Valerie Peters

Senior Administrative Assistant

Ext 308

Valerie Peters is senior administrative assistant at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is Bizawn Oday Kwe (Peaceful Heart Woman) of the Ndamiiminzwi Takwax (of the Turtle Family) and is a proud Lunapeew and Anishinabe from the Munsee-Delaware and Delaware Nation.

Valerie obtained a Bachelor of Sociology from the University of Windsor in 2003 and shortly after began the insightful work of community development, specifically with health and wellness initiatives. Valerie enjoyed developing new relationships to support service delivery aimed at optimizing the community’s capacity to obtain their health and wellness goals. Having worked in both home communities since 2004, Valerie is continuing to support the advancement of Indigenous Knowledge into practical initiatives through wholistic approaches.

In her daily life, she strives to exemplify her strong belief in practicing cultural values, teachings and thinking. Valerie’s joy is her ‘son shines’ whom she and her partner are committed to raising with a strong cultural foundation in her home community of the Delaware Nation.

Ramesh Bhattarai

Inventory Specialist

Ext 205

Ramesh Bhattarai is the inventory specialist at Thunderbird. He develops and maintains stock control systems, improves existing procedures to maintain inventory accuracy, takes care of purchasing, completes coding of accounts payable and supplier statements, and is responsible for inventory management.

Ramesh has been working in the supply chain and logistics industry for the past seven years. He started as logistics processor with Nordstrom Toronto, in 2017; after two years he was promoted to inventory control specialist and a year later became assistant operations manager. He also worked at Westlake Royal Building Products as a senior inventory clerk before joining Thunderbird.

Ramesh belongs to the Brahmins Hindu community from Jitpur Phedi, Kathmandu, Nepal. His native language is Nepali. Outside of work Ramesh enjoys hiking, trekking, watching documentaries, and meditation. He is a big Nepali cricket fan and follows every match/activity of the Nepal national cricket team.

Richard Colebeck

IT Systems Administrator

Ext 216

Richard Colebeck is the IT Systems administrator at Thunderbird. He does all things “IT”, such as system administration, security, support of networks, computers, and peripheral devices. Richard has decades of IT experience working in public sector environments, particularly with local municipalities.

Richard is a first-generation settler with parents from the United Kingdom. He is a dad to six children and a grandparent to three. Richard loves animals, and has cats, dogs, chickens, geese, turkey, goats, and pigs. Outside of work Richard and his family enjoy working on their hobby farm, trying to achieve a sustainable, wholistic and organic lifestyle.

Kate Turner

Evaluation & CQI Coordinator

Ext 303

Kate Turner is evaluation and continuous quality improvement (CQI) coordinator at Thunderbird. She comes from a quiet farm outside of Oil Springs, Ontario. Kate has an undergraduate degree in psychology and mathematical sciences from the University of Guelph and a master’s degree in public health from Western University. Previously working for a local public health unit Kate was able to create comprehensive health status reports and assist frontline staff with program planning and evaluation.

Kate enjoys spending time outside during all the seasons, on the diamond and in the arena playing fastball and hockey, as well as going for long walks with her furry four legged friend.

Communications

Jordan Davis

Full Stack Developer

Ext 401

Jordan Davis is our full stack developer at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. He lives in Victoria BC on the traditional lands of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and Lekwungen (Songhees) ancestors and families. Prior to working at Thunderbird, Jordan worked as a freelance web developer, graphic designer and photographer. Jordan’s work includes developing apps focused on Indigenous Wellness for iOS and Android, as well as supporting the development and maintenance of Thunderbird’s web projects. Jordan is grateful to be able to work on meaningful projects with Thunderbird and enjoys the challenges each day brings.

In his spare time, Jordan enjoys 3D printing, and exploring the outdoors with his three daughters.

Christopher Heffley

Creative Lead

Ext 404

Chris Heffley is Thunderbird’s creative lead, ensuring that the organization is represented with a consistent visual language and tone, true to our values. He spent more than 25 years working in numerous design areas after graduating in visual communications in 1996. Most recently he worked as a full-time freelancer focusing on values-based work with clients in community development, education and activism, arts and culture, health and wellness, and environmental technology and sustainability.

Chris is a 3rd generation settler of Scottish and German descent, he grew up in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). He now lives on the territory of the Tla’amin First Nation on the Sunshine Coast of BC with his partner where he enjoys gardening, photography, art, music and cooking.

Parween Mungur

French Language Translator

Ext 415

Parween Mungur is the French language translator at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is a graduate from York University in French Studies and University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s in education. She lives and works in Mississauga, ON, the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations. Originally, Parween is from the beautiful island of Mauritius where her family still resides. Since childhood, she has always wanted to serve the community through her profession. Growing up bilingual (English and French), she has always been passionate about the French language. She has worked as an elementary school teacher for the full French and French Immersion programs in Ontario and chose to switch career paths to become a French language translator.

Outside of work, Parween is a loving mother of two beautiful children and a kitten. She enjoys spending time with them at home, in provincial parks and wherever adventures take them. Having no family in Canada, she is grateful to have close friends to spend summer, birthdays and holidays with. Parween enjoys spending time alone, reading and learning for self-development, and religious and spiritual growth. She also enjoys spending time in nature for grounding, connecting, and recharging her energy. Being a tropical island girl by birth and heart, she loves the beach, sand, and a blue sky.

Caroline Parnell-Barry

Writer/Editor

Ext 403

Caroline Parnell-Barry is a Writer/Editor for Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, working remotely from her home office in East Ferris Ontario. She is of mixed heritage (Algonquin/European) and a registered member of the Algonquin Nation (Pikwakanagan).

Caroline’s career encompasses all major media (television, radio, print, web, social media) with writing and multimedia message strategy as key strengths.

She is married with 5 children and assorted fur babies. Caroline is also an enviro-artist who makes funky creations using natural and repurposed elements.

Sidney Tran

Graphic Designer

Ext 407

Sidney Tran is Thunderbird’s graphic designer and assists our creative lead in designing and branding electronic and print materials. She studied graphic design at OCAD University (Toronto, ON) and earned a bachelor’s degree in design in 2021. Sidney has worked in a variety of settings, such as: start-ups, print houses, real estate and non-profit organizations.

Sidney comes from a Vietnamese heritage and was born and raised in Barrie, ON, on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. She later moved to Toronto, in 2016 for school and career opportunities.

Outside of work, Sidney enjoys playing video games on her Nintendo Switch. She enjoys travelling and hopes to visit every part of the world one day, especially Japan. She also likes spending time with her dog, exploring the city and learning new recipes to cook. Her favourite drinks are coffee and bubble tea.

Research

Yvonne Olivier

Research Manager

Ext 413

Yvonne Olivier is the Addictions Program Supervisor at Thunderbird. She is responsible for overseeing the effective planning, coordination, and implementation of the Addictions Management Information System (AMIS), ensuring the coordination of functions and activities for the client/case management information databases.

Yvonne is a Blackfoot woman and a member of the TsuuT’ina Nation in Alberta. She has more than 22 years of management and clinical experience working within the First Nation population in the mental health and addictions field. Yvonne started out as a mental health coordinator, working alongside the NNADAP staff in community wellness.

She then served a 10-year tenure as Executive Director for a Youth Solvent Addictions Program on the Siksika Nation. She has been working as a mental health and addictions consultant for the past four years. Yvonne has a degree in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies, and holds a First Nation Managers Certification.

Outside of work Yvonne enjoys golfing, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Eric Mack

Administrative Assistant / Data Entry

Ext 200

Eric Mack is an admin/data entry assistant at Thunderbird. Born and raised in London Ontario, Eric graduated from King’s University College with a BA, Honors in Specialization in Social Justice and Peace Studies and a minor in Political Science. He also has ageneral business diploma from Fanshawe College. Prior to working with Thunderbird he worked as a processing clerk for Premier Insurance Group and as an admin assistant for the Alumni Affairs and Foundation office at King’s University College, through the school’s work study program.

Eric supports the operational and admin needs of the Research team and works with the admin support team members to assist with the overall operations of Thunderbird.

Outside of work Eric enjoys video games, movies, comic books, photography, and reading, and making a good lemonade!

Kayla Gedeon

Addictions Program Coordinator

Ext 406

Kayla Gedeon is the Addiction Program Coordinator on Thunderbird’s Research team. She attended Bishop's University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology, earned a diploma in Addictions from McMaster University, and completed her Addictions and Mental Health degree at Algonquin College. Prior to joining Thunderbird, Kayla worked as a Programs and Services Advisor for over ten years at the Walgwan Center in her home community in Eastern Quebec.

Kayla is Mi’kmaq from Gesgapegiag First Nation in Quebec, and her Spirit name is White Buffalo Woman. Outside of work she enjoys a good True Crime podcast, reading, sports, cheering on her kids at their sporting events, coaching/volunteering in her community, and trying to be a positive role model to future generations.

Thi Nguyen

Epidemiologist

Ext 210

Thi Nguyen is an epidemiologist at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, at the London office. She works with the Research Team to develop research protocols, collect and analyze data, and write reports for communities and stakeholders.

Thi has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has worked as a nurse in a variety of settings including primary care and public health. Her passion for public health and quantitative research methodologies led her to pursue her Master of Public Health, specializing in Epidemiology from Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Most of her experience has been working with health administrative data, including surveillance data management, both as an infectious disease nurse and as an epidemiologist.

Outside of work Thi enjoys exploring nature, reading sci-fi books, cycling, and spending time with her friends and family (including her two cats).

Shawna Olson

Addictions Program Coordinator

Ext 409

Shawna Olson is an Addictions Program Coordinator at Thunderbird. She is a member of the research team and works with the Buffalo Riders Program, building and maintaining relationships with community partners, planning, coordinating, and implementing the Addictions Management Information System (AMIS).

Shawna is an Ojibway from the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in Manitoba. Her Anishinaabe name is Beshaanakadooikwe (Beautiful Cloud Woman) and she is from the Ma’iingan (Wolf) Clan. Shawna has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Native Studies from the University of Manitoba. She has previously worked for her community in Brokenhead as a mental wellness worker.

Shawna is a mother of two children and a yorkie. She enjoys ice fishing, golfing, beading, sewing, cycling, and going to movies. Shawna loves practicing her culture by attending Midewiwin ceremonies, travelling and dancing at many powwows across Canada and the United States with her family.

Training & Education

For training inquiries, please email training@thunderbirdpf.org

Mary Deleary

Training & Education Manager

Ext 304

Mary Deleary is training education manager at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is Algonquin Anishinabe originating from Kitigan Zibi (Quebec), who’s lifelong dedication in the pursuit of Indigenous knowledge and practice is grounded and nurtured through the Midewiwin ‘way of the heart’. Mary brings her years of Indigenous learning within traditional lodges and mainstream university to her leadership role as training education manager. Mary devoted a number of years to the field of Indigenous-based education including the development and establishment of culturally relevant post- secondary programs to meet the specific needs of First Nation individuals and communities. She also draws upon her past experience serving as executive director of Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre and participating in the HOS:CASI research project, which led to the development of NWA™.

Outside of work Mary enjoys devoting time to family, being with her grandchildren in all their stages of development, ceremonial gatherings, gathering medicine, and long walks amongst creation.

Jaime Ann Whiteye

Administrative Assistant

Ext 309

Jaime Ann Whiteye is the administrative assistant for the Training and Education team at Thunderbird. Her background is in Business Administration with an Accounting Diploma from St. Clair College. Before joining Thunderbird, Jaime was the Economic Development Coordinator with Delaware Nation for six years and before that, the Nation’s Economic Development assistant.

Jaime Ann has a Lenape/Ojibway background – was born, raised and lives in Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit.

Outside of work Jaime enjoys reading and watching documentaries. Her family is her most important hobby and gives her Hope, Belonging, Meaning and Purpose in her life.

Dr. Jessica Ford

Training Coordinator

Ext 307

Dr. Jessica Ford (Kizhay Wahdizi Quay) is the training coordinator at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is an Inuk who is adopted into an Anishinabe family. Her Spirit name talks about her way of being: that is of kindness and a caring nature. She is from the Caribou Clan. Jessica is from Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake, NU) but has lived in the south since she was younger. She is a mother of two children and ensures culture is a focus in their lives. Jessica strives to exemplify her strong belief in practicing cultural values, teachings and thinking. Before starting employment at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation Jessica had been a teacher for 17 years in several capacities from elementary school through graduate school. In 2017 Jessica completed her PhD in Education specifically on the importance of story work.

Outside of work she spends time with her children participating in ceremonies and loves to have fun outside and on the water playing and enjoying the beautiful gifts of Creation. She also loves to quilt and craft and enjoys early morning quiet walks or runs with her dog.

Jody-Ann Henry

Instructional Design & Development Specialist

Ext 400

Jody-Ann Henry is the instructional design and development specialist at Thunderbird. She was born and raised in St. Andrew, Jamaica and feels blessed to have been exposed to a rich diversity of many cultures. She has worked in the field of education and training for more than 15 years, as a teacher, technical writer, online learning project manager and instructional designer. As an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) Jody-Ann is passionate about training and education. She holds a MSc. in Public Administration (Distinction), a Bachelor of Education in Business and Computer Studies (Honours), and a PGCert in Technical Communications (Honours). Jody-Ann recently completed a M.Ed. in Educational Technology and Design (ETAD) with the University of Saskatchewan. Jody-Ann facilitates the continued design and development of the digital Community of Practice and support of the Train-the-Trainer programs at Thunderbird, and also supports the ongoing development of on-line courses. In her free time, Jody-Ann enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, painting, gardening, and listening to a wide genre of music. She is also a technology enthusiast.

Dr. Susan Ibdah

Curriculum Developer

Ext 203

Susan Ibdah is a Curriculum Developer for Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She holds a PhD in Education and Curriculum Studies from the University of Western Ontario, and has a certificate for advanced teaching from Harvard Medical School. Susan has also won several awards including accolades for teaching, curriculum development, leadership and writing. She has worked in the education field for almost 20 years and her experience includes consulting, entrepreneurship, community services and designing curricula for medical education.

Susan lives with her family in London, which is her hometown, and enjoys crafting, painting, reading, and cuddling with her cat Grace.

Karly Macdonald

Facilitator Coach Navigator

Ext 416

Karly Macdonald is the Facilitator Coach Navigator at Thunderbird. Her role is to provide support for Thunderbird partners (First Nations communities and workforce in the field of mental wellness) who are participating in Thunderbird’s Train the Trainer (TTT) Programs as provisional trainers and as training facilitators. Karly provides mentoring and coaching by engaging with participants through the digital Community of Practice and facilitating virtual training sessions.

Karly has a Diploma in Recreation Therapy from Nova Scotia Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) from Cape Breton University, and a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from Laurentian University. For most of her early professional career she worked as a recreation therapist before returning to school to complete her two undergrade degrees. She has previously worked in Crisis Intervention and has also provided knowledge translation and evaluation at the Dr. Peter Centre in British Columbia.

Outside work Karly enjoys camping with her family, exploring nature, advocacy work, and art. She is married with one daughter and three dogs.

Carrie Miller

Trainer

Ext 305

Carrie Miller is a trainer at Thunderbird.

She is Anishinaabe and European and grew up along the shores of Lake Huron. She is a member of the Eagle clan from Nipissing First Nation (Nbisiing). Carrie has a Developmental Service Worker diploma from St. Clair College and an Honour’s Disability Studies - Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Minor in Indigenous Studies from the University of Windsor. She is currently finishing her Bachelor of Indigenous Education at Queen’s University. Carrie worked at Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig as a teacher and at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance as the Indigenous Transition Navigator.

Outside of work and school she spends most of her time with her children, dogs, continuing her journey of reconnecting with culture and connecting with the land. She loves animals, books and crafting.

Kayla Vick

Virtual Learning Systems Navigator

Ext 418

Kayla Vick is the Virtual Learning Systems Navigator at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She provides support and guidance to stakeholders engaged in Thunderbird’s online learning platforms. Kayla holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) specializing in Gender Studies and Sociology, and a Master’s of Industrial Relations, both from Queen’s University.

Kayla built her professional career in treaty six territory (specifically within the traditional territory of the Cree, Denesuline and Mètis Peoples), with an organization that offers Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder lifespan services, including a live-in addiction recovery centre. With a passion for learning and development, Kayla transitioned to supporting with provincial and national FASD diagnostic clinic training efforts and most recently learning and development coordination within private sector human resources consulting.

Kayla grew up in Prince Edward County, Ontario which is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Wendat Peoples, adjacent to the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) community of Tyendinaga. Outside of work, Kayla enjoys spending time outdoors, travelling and connecting over meals with family & friends.

Online Training

Tahl Paris East

Online Training Manager

Ext 412

Tahl Paris East is the online training manager at Thunderbird. She is an educator and substance use/harm reduction specialist. These are two fields she brought together to help as many relatives as she can, with a strong passion and will to even the playing field. Her passion is teaching and advocating for widespread naloxone distribution.

Tahl was born in Jerusalem Israel and after moving around the globe (South Africa, Germany, Egypt) with her family in the 80’s, they settled in Winnipeg where they quickly gained friendships, connections, and common ground within the First Nations communities in both Winnipeg and rural Manitoba. Tahl says “having a funny sounding name (My name was Tahl Hamizrachi), not speaking the English language and being a minority made the move across the ocean challenging, to say the least.”

Tahl’s parents were employed within a Tribal Council, in a Northern-Remote First Nation realizing a strong sense of community and honouring of Elders and teachers. Because her family also shared the experience of historical trauma and discrimination, she learned about the need to stand in solidarity to face the Canadian truth. Parallels of suffering, cultural genocide, resilience, and pride, as well as common roots, history, vision and goals shaped her views and support the work she does in education, harm reduction and mental wellness.

Outside of work Tahl is a Kookum to two little girls, mother to a team of beautiful biological, step and foster children; and wife to her best friend and owner of a livestock sanctuary. She can often be found with her horses, cows, alpacas, and goats.

Tara Vanderveer

Instructional Design / Development Specialist

Ext 410

Tara Vanderveer is an Instructional Design/Development Specialist for Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. Tara brings a wealth of experience in adult training and education, having dedicated over a decade to teaching and learning within Canadian universities and colleges, including Nunavut Arctic College and in Manitoba at Ebb and Flow First Nation.

Driven by a profound passion for teaching, training, coaching, and instructional design, Tara is committed to creating transformative learning experiences for both students and fellow educators alike. Her pursuit of excellence extends beyond the classroom as she pursues her EdD in Curriculum in Context with UCalgary.

When she's not immersed in teaching, training, or designing innovative curriculum, Tara finds joy in raising four spirited individuals in rural Manitoba. She also dedicates her time to volunteering with Lakeshore Family Support Centre and Fieldstone Ventures, where she actively supports community members in achieving their aspirations and goals.

Looking for meaningful work?

Join our growing team!

Employment Opportunities