Métis Women's Council on Economic Security

Calliou, Candice

For more that 20 years, Candice Calliou has been the Head Start Coordinator on the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement. She graduated from the Early Learning and Childcare Diploma program at Northern Lakes College and was the chair for the local Northland School Division school board off and on for 20 years. She also worked for Athabasca University as a community coordinator.

Candice has always advocated for her community and promoted education by serving on boards.

Sutter, Sandra

Sandra Sutter is the Aboriginal Partnerships Manager for Tarpon Energy Services and CGT Industrial Services.

Sandra’s worked with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Battlefords Area Tribal Chiefs. She is on the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary’s Senate, a member of the National Association of Friendship Centres’ National Negotiating Committee and Impact Society’s Board, and is an advisor to the Canadian Energy Executives Association YES Team, Careers: The Next Generation, Momentum and NetPositive.

Venne, Rachelle

Rachelle Venne is the CEO of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women with experience in the non-profit, corporate and government sectors.

Rachelle was a member of EndPoverty, Edmonton’s Aboriginal Roundtable, and Implementation Road Map Team and one of six Canadian NGO delegates selected to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in 2017. She has received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal and been appointed to the Alberta Order of Excellence Council and the St. Albert Community Advisory Board.

Ebach, Sandra

Sandra Ebach has a variety of experiences from working in the service delivery field for many years. She has worked closely in the fields of mental health and addictions, as well as physical disabilities. She acted previously as secretary for a local Métis board in her hometown. Attending the University of Lethbridge later in life, she completed her Bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology. Currently, she offers support to a local committee that teaches school children about inclusion, acceptance and opportunities for people with disabilities to contribute to their community.

Malcolm, Alberta

Alberta Malcolm was born in a small native hamlet in northern Alberta. An Indigenous woman who survived the residential school era raised her, and she experienced the Métis lifestyle while living off the land as a teenager. Today, she advocates for the education of Indigenous women and all women and children, which is a key element of economic security for Métis women. For more than 20 years, Alberta worked as a power engineer. She was also a training and development coordinator of power engineers and was involved in an educational initiative offering GED (high school equivalency) to adult students on reserve. This experience helped her learn more about the issues, barriers and successes that adult students face while trying to function in a classroom. Alberta is a recipient of the Wood Buffalo Elder of the Year award and the Women in Mining Indigenous Trail Blazer award.

Picotte, Millie Ann

Millie Ann Picotte is a registered nurse working as a community health nurse and COVID-19 case manager for Maskwacis Health and Ermineskin, Montana, Louis Bull and Samson First Nations. Millie was also an assistant lecturer with the University of Alberta, After Degree Nursing program off campus. She also has worked extensively in rural hospitals and in chronic disease management and diabetes education. Millie is committed to preserving her culture and being of service to the Métis community by being an active participant in many organizations, including the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Young, Raelene

Raelene Young is a Business Strategy Analyst at H3M Environmental, where she has aligned her career with her passion for business strategy and company culture. In her career Raelene has served as an Indigenous Liaison, worked for non-profit organizations, and been involved in the energy sector. Her previous work has allowed her to gain extensive knowledge on community relations, grant management and policy development. She is a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta and holds a master’s of business administration and a bachelor of commerce degree. She volunteers for local charities and is a board member of the Indigenous Kids Network of Canada.

Bell, Jeanien

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