First Nations Women's Council on Economic Security
Good Rider, Crystal
Crystal Good Rider grew up on the Piikani Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. She enjoys teaching and interacting with students and has done so for 18 years. Crystal received a combined Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004 and a Master in Educational Leadership degree in 2010.
She is an accredited fashion designer through the Visual College of Art & Design in Vancouver, British Columbia. Crystal is a consultant and provides workshops on Indigenous education in schools in southern Alberta. She is a unique Indigenous leader in education, entrepreneurship and Indigenous relations.
Laboucan, Melinda
Melinda Laboucan is a proud member of the K’asho Got’ine First Nation. She is the founder of the non-profit organization Goba, which provides effective, culturally safe healthcare and medical travel for northerners who are receiving healthcare in Alberta. The program works closely with northern community partners, Alberta Health Services and other agencies.
Melinda is a respected conference speaker and presenter, as well as an established leader of sharing circles. She is known for her innovative and inspirational approach to workshop facilitation, advocacy and problem-solving.
Mah, Delilah
Delilah Mah is a social entrepreneur, artist, photographer and Indigenous planning consultant. She is a descendant of the Saulteaux, Cree, and French peoples, with her family roots connect to Keeseekoose First Nation on Treaty No.4 Territory, as well as to George Gordon, Cotes, Key, and Muskowekwan First Nation. Delilah received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta in 2008 and a Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development through Cape Breton University in 2022.
Delilah is an active volunteer on various boards and school councils. She was elected board director and president of the Dreamspeakers Festival Society and is the founder of the Indigenous Women’s Business Panel - Iskwew founded, Iskwew run and Iskwew made - which creates space for local Indigenous entrepreneurs and artists to share their gifts in the traditional territory of Treaty 6. Delilah also founded BravHer Consulting and Mah Art & Photography. BravHer Consulting is all about re-framing the connections between Indigenous Peoples and planning, while being mindful of economic reconciliation. Mah Art is about creating authentic Indigenous art products, while Mah Photography is about capturing the beauty of Indigenous women and empowering and sharing the story behind the image. You can find Delilah working behind the scenes in the community, always connecting and collaborating with others.
Yamkovy, Shawna
Shawna is of mixed Dënesuliné and Ukrainian ancestry and a proud member of the Lútsël K'é Dene First Nation. Raised in Sherwood Park, she always maintained astrong connection to her Indigenous maternal family who lived in Lútsël K'é, Northwest Territories. The daughter of a residential school survivor, Shawna’s strong kinship connections and relationship with the land helped create a solid foundation for Indigenous values and transmission of culture.
Shawna has 21 years of experience with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, working in finance and operations, as well as extensive volunteer experience with various Indigenous organizations. In 2015, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University of Edmonton. In 2022, she received a Master of Arts in Global Leadership through Royal Roads University. Her graduate work focused on Indigenous language revitalization and strategies to retain and rejuvenate the Dene Suliné yati language. Shawna is currently working towards her Doctor of Social Sciences degree at Royal Roads University, with a continued focus on land-based Indigenous language revitalization.
Life-Yeomans, Suzanne
Suzanne Life-Yeomans is a member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation. She was raised in Cowichan Tribes traditional territory on Vancouver Island in Duncan, British Columbia. Suzanne currently lives in Maskwacis traditional territory in Ponoka, Alberta. She holds a Master of Business degree, a Bachelor of Laws degree and many diplomas and certificates.
Suzanne has more than 25 years of experience working with First Nations communities, focusing on engagement, consultation and economic development. She has worked for the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Alberta, Six Nations, Cowichan Tribes, Khowutzun Development Corporation, Enoch Cree Nation, Montana First Nation and Beaver Lake Cree Nation. Suzanne currently works with Matrix Solutions Inc.
Suzanne is chair of the First Nations Women’s Council on Economic Security. She also sits on the board of the Circle for Aboriginal Relations as treasurer. She was a member of the Alberta Joint Working Group for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, chair of the Alberta Lands and Economic Development Advisory Committee, a board member of the Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta, a board member of the Ponoka Youth Centre and chair of the Town of Ponoka’s Economic Development.
Suzanne is a proud advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2S+ Peoples’ issues and has organized Sisters in Spirit Day events in Wetaskiwin for the past three years. She also worked with the Government of Alberta, many sponsors and the four Nations in Maskwacis to host the first ever Tipi Village at the Ponoka Stampede.
Anderson-Laboucan, Bertha
Bertha Anderson-Laboucan is a First Nations mother, grandmother, social worker and educator from Treaty 8 territory in northern Alberta. Her first language is Cree. Bertha recently completed her Master of Social Work degree in clinical social work and currently works as a contractor providing mental health supports for First Nations communities. Bertha also has a Master of Education degree and is a former teacher and school principal for First Nations schools in northern Alberta.