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Christine Hutchinson

Christine joins us from Mohkinstsis (Calgary), Alberta, Treaty 7. For most of her life, Christine has worked closely with First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations on matters concerning their lands and territories, community well-being and way of life. As a lawyer of over 20 years, including her recent experience as legal counsel with the Canada Energy Regulator, Christine brings a wealth of legal, regulatory and community-based expertise to her new role with ICCE.

Originally from La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Christine is a proud member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Treaty 6. Christine enjoys her time off returning to her home community and spending time out on the land with her children and extended family.

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Kayla karn

Kayla Karn

Kayla is her English name; Wasnode Kwe Anishinaabe Noodzawin, (Northern Lights Women) is her Spirit name. Kayla is a proud member of M’Chigeeng First Nation, located within the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory on Manitoulin Island, where she was raised.

With more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications roles serving Indigenous communities, Kayla’s professional journey reflects her dedication to creating meaningful, community-centred work. In her role as a Marketing Advisor, she develops communications materials and provides logistical support for webcasts, conferences, and community events.

When not at work, Kayla finds balance and connection through spending time with family and friends on the land and at the water.

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Shawn Abel

Shawn Abel was born and raised in Yellowknife, NT and spent the majority of his time in the NWT.  Shawn moved to Edmonton in the fall of 2020. He is a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

Shawn has experience working with First Nations and Indigenous organizations, as well as various departments within the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Legislative Assembly of the NWT.  He brings a wealth of knowledge in finance, accounting and administration.

As Operations Assistant with ICCE, Shawn provides hands-on support in finance processing, human resources coordination, administration and technology.

When not at work, his interests include music, travelling and spending time with family.

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Danielle Wilson

A proud member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in the Nuu-chah-nulth Territory of Vancouver Island, Danielle Wilson brings a rich cultural heritage to her work. Rooted in the Masso and Frank families on her maternal side and with French Canadian ancestry from her paternal side, Danielle’s diverse background informs her holistic approach to leadership and advocacy.

With over a decade of experience in Indigenous leadership, Danielle has served as Executive Director, Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs (RAVEN) and the Noojmowin Teg Health Centre. 

Danielle’s work has been driven by a steadfast commitment to advancing Indigenous rights, environmental justice and health equity. Danielle’s role with ICCE allows her to stay connected to her home territory and family while continuing to champion causes close to her heart.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria, a Bachelor of Environmental and Public Health from the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Waterloo. Her academic and professional journey reflects her dedication to creating meaningful change for Indigenous communities and beyond.

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RenÃĐ Drolet

RenÃĐ Drolet was born and raised in a small village on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. He is a thirteenth generation settler whose ancestors came to the French colony in 1652. 

He has 35 years experience in environmental management and sustainability, working in the private sector, for the federal government and within the not-for-profit sector.

In 2020 Mr. Drolet was hired by the founding Board of Directors of ICCE to help establish the organization. Since then he has provided strategic advice to the Executive Director regarding governance, finance and administration, as well as internal policies, procedures and various operational matters.

RenÃĐ can be described as a reluctant leader. He is quiet but strong, humble but assertive. While he does not seek the limelight, he will jump in as needed and has often proven to be an anchor for his colleagues, friends and family.

RenÃĐ’s passion for nature has shaped his life, from studying biology and oceanography, to rescuing animals and gardening. He lives on a 15-acre hobby farm in Eastern Ontario with his spouse RÃĐgine and many dogs, cats, goats, ducks, geese and chickens.

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Michelle Swanson

Michelle Swanson resides in Treaty 7 and is a member of the MÃĐtis Nation of Alberta. She is Red River MÃĐtis and a Board Director with the MÃĐtis Settlement Development Corporation.

Michelle provides support to the Executive Director, leadership team and extended ICCE team. Her focus is operational efficiencies, daily logistics, strategic planning, governance, organizational effectiveness and human resources planning. Her career has been in IT, training, events, higher education and consulting in change management, project management and service-centric solutions. 

Michelle is passionate about putting people first and working with C-suite executives to increase return on investment (ROI) by improving staff morale and engagement.

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Leah Harrison

Leah Harrison was born and raised in Toronto and spent many of her childhood summers in Wagmatcook and Eskasoni, staying connected to her family and Indigenous roots. 

As the Marketing and Communications Manager at ICCE, Leah leads the organization’s marketing, communications and event initiatives. She collaborates closely with ICCE’s partners to implement strategic marketing plans, deliver impactful campaigns, and support the planning and execution of events.

Leah is deeply passionate about community-building. In Toronto, she has been actively involved in grassroots initiatives aimed at expanding access to local resources and strengthening community connections.

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Dawn Hoogeveen

Dawn Hoogeveen holds a PhD in Geography from the University of British Columbia. She is an alumni of ICCE’s Technical Advisory Committee and a published author on topics such as impact assessment, gender and resource regulations.

Dawn’s work ranges from examinations of climate change and health equity, to Indigenous rights and title.

Dawn is of Dutch and British ancestry; she lives on Coast Salish Territories in Vancouver, and grew up on Williams Treaty lands near Peterborough, Ontario.

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Sileema Igutsaq Angoyuak

Hello, my name is Sileema Igutsaq Angoyuak, born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut. I also lived in few other Inuit communities such as, Baker Lake, Kinngait (formerly known as Cape Dorset), Kimmirut, and have spent extended periods of time in Rankin Inlet.

I graduated high school in Iqaluit, Inuksuk High School in 2007. I had my son in June 2008. His name is Xavier, and he was born in Ottawa, ON. He is my one and only child.

In 2010, I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. I was in Vancouver/Squamish, BC for about three to four weeks. We took part in many activities where we taught what our culture/traditions are, also we learned more about other First Nations, Metis and Inuit from other regions about their culture/traditions. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity I took part in. The best part was performing for the world at the Opening Ceremonies.

I also attended and graduated from Nunavut Arctic College in 2013. I took Environmental Technology Program (ETP, 2011-2013). During the time I was enrolled, I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in International Polar Year conference that was held in Montreal, Quebec. There were 3 of us students from ETP that did a presentation to promote ETP and gain some potential partners/co-manage courses and to mingle with everyone and learn about science programs that were/are run in the circumpolar regions. We had a chance to see/view other presentations and meet other Inuit from around the world. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I had the chance to take part in.

Once I graduated ETP in May 2013, I was hired as Conservation Officer by the Government of Nunavut’s Dept. of Environment, which I was stationed in Kimmirut, Nunavut. Which gave me the wonderful opportunity to gain work experience which I never thought I would be able to do. It gave me insight on many different things like Enforcement, to biology, to Acts/Regulations/By—laws etc. Also gave me more experience on how co-management partners work, and how other organizations from territorial, community/local governance, to Inuit Organizations work, communicate and move forward together. I held that job until September 2015. 

I was then hired by Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada as Aquatic Science Technician. I did a lot of field work in Iqaluit, Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung. I was able to also teach ETP 2nd year students about Arctic and how we sample them and why we sample them and how the samples are used and why. Also, I was able to educate some people in Pangnirtung as I went there to sample Turbot, where I explained what each sample can tell us, how we use it, and why it is sampled. Working at the fish plant in Pangnirtung was a wonderful learning experience that I always love to work at.

I was a Council member at the Nunavut Qulliit Status of Women Council, as well as the current President for the organization. I served two terms with the organization and my term ends March 2022. I take part in meetings either in person, telephone conference calls, virtual etc. I am blessed to be apart of the council. It has given me the opportunity to lead, organize, learn and reach other when needed, which were some hard for me in the past. Such a great feeling to be apart of the Council. I also was in acting position of Executive Director, while we were waiting to hire a ED.

I took on the role of Community Engagement Coordinator with DFO and Canadian Coast Guard Services Canada. This position gave me the opportunity to engage and teach/inform about Inuit, Inuit culture and history and how different Inuit are from First Nations and Metis. We also helped create “Indigenous Employees Network”, which met once in awhile, to have conversations that were hard to have with non-Indigenous people, or how other programs and services and resources available in each region. We also created a presentation on Inuit Qaujumajatuqangit (Inuit societal values), and presented it to many levels of government employees. I also took on another role, with another team that focused on Truth and Reconciliation, and how it can/could be implemented within the workplace, and what Indigenous people wants to see happen, or be offered, in efforts of TRC.

I had the opportunity to work for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), in Ottawa, ON, as Policy Advisor. I started out as a support staff for various files such as MMIWG (Inuit focused), Environment and Marine, National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy. And in this time, I was able to take part in meetings, startup of strategies, and/or policy and legislation changes. After awhile, I took on files regarding “Women’s Health” and “Midwifery Advisory Working Group”, where the regional representatives of Inuit Nunangat gave their time and efforts for meetings, to help make policies, legislations, strategies and workplans for the files.

I am happy and excited to be starting with Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE), and to expand my knowledge on Indigenous peoples, and share my Inuit knowledge with ICCE staff and board.

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Carrie Lynch

Carrie is a member of the MÃĐtis Nation of Alberta – Region 3, and a dedicated advocate for Indigenous communities, she brings a wealth of experience and passion to ICCE.

Ms. Lynch resides on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe people, including the Algonquin Nation in the Prescott Russell area. This territory also encompasses the traditional and treaty lands of the Haudenosaunee people, including the Mohawk Nation. Her deep respect for these lands and their people reflects her commitment to honoring and preserving Indigenous cultures and traditions.

Carrie has a paralegal degree and over 15 years of legal experience in various areas of law. Carrie’s passion and experience is in working with Indigenous organizations in the area of governance, and has obtained designation within the Governance Professionals of Canada.

Carrie’s role as the first Executive Assistant to the ICCE National Office includes supporting long-term key initiatives, facilitating communication between departments, and ensuring the alignment of resources to achieve the organizational goals of ICCE.

When not at work, her interests include music, cycling and nature photography.

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