The Da-Nish Team
Our team consists of experienced leaders and industry experts
committed and motivated by a sense of purpose.
Tayzia (Trea) StormHunter
Trea’s roots originate from Eastern Canada/USA. She grew up in Alberta and British Columbia. She has over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience. She has 15 years of curriculum development experience, including developing two fully accredited diploma programs in Canada. Trea has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alberta, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Cape Breton University focusing on Indigenous Community Economic Development (CED) and is pursuing a PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Land Management. Trea received the Outstanding Master's Thesis Award in 2021 for her "Resource Extraction and First Nation Communities in Canada" thesis. Trea is passionate about community-led approaches that empower Indigenous communities to build capacity in the most pressing areas community members identify. Trea is a consultant to First Nation communities and identifies education, community assets, resource needs, and sustainable solutions supporting Indigenous self-determination. Trea believes that Truth and Reconciliation means giving power and decision-making to Indigenous people.
Marcia Wacanta Halfe
Marcia was born in southern Manitoba and raised in Sioux Valley, Dakota Nation, with her grandparents and single mother. Marcia was fortunate to grow up with grandparents who did not attend residential school. The residual effects of residential school have surfaced within our extended families. Marcia’s grandparents encouraged independence and hard work and secured her identity by teaching her the language, history, and traditions of our Dakota Nation. Marcia has worked in the Human Service industry for over 34 years, from frontline to Executive Director of First Nation CFS Agencies across four provinces. In the years of executive management, repatriation of children in care to family and community was a priority in her CFS leadership. With the focus on permanent ward children, their connection to family, community, and culture, and assertively implementing prevention practices, the teams successfully returned over 70% of permanent ward children to their First Nation in 4 years. Marcia holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work, combined with many years of direct experience working in the industry advocating for services and positive outcomes of CFS involved in the lives of Indigenous children, youth, and families.
Carol Brooks
Administrative Assistant
Carol is a Honkey (in memory of Chief Smoke) from Edmonton. She brings over 30 years of administrative experience, with the last 15 years being assimilated into First Nation needs and ways of knowing. Carol lives in Sturgeon County and enjoys the quiet country life.
Consultants
Curtis Lall
Reiki Master, Space Cleaning, Integrated Energy Therapy, Reiki Training. Currently working in Treaty 6 territory and worked in Treaty 4 territory healing camps.
Eileen Lines
Originally from Fort Smith, NWT. Eileen worked with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta for over 15 years. Eileen has a B.Ed., B.A., and post degree courses in Special Education from the University of Saskatchewan.
Brenda St. Germain
Brenda St. Germain is a Métis Cree woman from central Alberta. She holds an MSW with a specialization in Indigenous Studies from the University of Victoria. Her areas of expertise include historical and complex trauma, grief and bereavement, anxiety, depression, and domestic violence.
Neil Sapp
Neil is a Cree man from Saskatchewan. He speaks fluent Cree and is a certified addiction counselor. He also has extensive experience in First Nation community wellness.
Alvine Gladue
Alvine is a Cree man from Big Stone Cree Nation. He is a certified addiction counselor, speaks fluent Cree and has been working with youth and addictions for over 30 years.
