Watchiya! I have been with the EMRWB as Director since 2018 and I live full-time in the beautiful Cree community of Waskaganish, QC. I have more than 20 years experience as a wildlife biologist and I have spent more than half that time in a supervisory role. I earned my B.Sc (Honors) Degree through Trent University with a Special Emphasis awarded in Conservation Biology, and my graduate research focused on the development of genetic markers for the critically endangered San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike. 

I first fell in love with the North during a field course in Churchill, Manitoba.  My career path eventually led to Igloolik, Nunavut, where I worked with the Government of Nunavut’s polar bear harvest program. My years in Nunavut not only provided an understanding of the importance of the inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge to effectively manage wildlife, but they also provided valuable experience working under a Land Claim Agreement that protected Indigenous right to harvest and access wildlife.

I accepted my current position with the EMRWB because I understand and recognize not only the significance of the land and wildlife to the Cree, but I also understand that effective wildlife management requires an equal partnership of scientific and Indigenous knowledge. I am happy to once again be living closer to the land, which is something that has always been important to me. 

As Director of the EMRWB, it is my role to provide the best available wildlife management advice to the Board so that they in turn can make informed decisions. I oversee other wildlife management activities including review of scientific and technical reports submitted to the board, directing research activities in the EMR, management of the EMRWB Research Fund, and I represent the EMRWB on various committees and working groups. I also oversee the day-to-day operations of the EMRWB, including the management of staff and finances, and I work closely with other Cree entities and management partners.