Andre Williams

Digital Media Coordinator

Pronouns: (He/Him)

Andre is originally from Panama and holds a BA in Urban Studies and French with a focus on urban policy and sociology, he is certified in social science research methods. He speaks English, Spanish, and French and has gained experience working with a range of start-ups and research organizations.

Andre has experience supporting project managers and local communities in creating inclusive public spaces and assisted in design, research, and creative direction. He also worked as a research associate for the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health in the UK.

Additionally, he has researched human rights issues in Latin America for a New York-based non-profit in the form of written reports and news articles. Andre has published articles on urban design and mental health, as well as social entrepreneurship and sustainability, and architecture.

Andrea True Joy Fox

Executive Director

Pronouns: (She/Her)

Andrea True Joy Fox is a Niistitapyaakkii, Blackfoot woman from the Kainai Nation/Blood Tribe, and a certified teacher with her B.A. in Art and her B.Ed. in Art and Dramatic Arts Education.

Working in various capacities in education, Andrea True Joy has enjoyed the rewarding journey of being a district principal, teacher, as well as guest lecturer at several universities. She has led several successful art collaborations between various school districts located both in Indigenous communities and cities within Alberta, bringing together diverse groups to participate in the discourse around Truth and Reconciliation.

She is currently working on her M.A. with a focus on amplifying Indigenous voices in digital safe spaces. Andrea True Joy discovered a passion for podcasting and created her podcast Talks With A Fox in 2020, which she continues to co-produce with her husband. She loves exploring creativity and identity by talking with other Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and providing a safe space for them to share their inspirational journeys.

Andrea True Joy is most grateful for the traditional knowledge and teachings her parents and elders have shared with her. These teachings have helped her to connect and collaborate with Indigenous students, families, and communities in authentic and respectful ways. She enjoys bringing people together and helping them discover their gifts, as well as contributing to causes that support Indigenous children, youth, families, and mothers.

She loves to lose track of time and explore the world with her husband and baby girl who keeps her young at heart and forever on her toes!

Alex Felicitas

Community Experience Coordinator

Pronouns: (They/Them)

Alex loves hearing and helping people share their stories. They do this by assisting the students and artists translate their in-class experiences into digital and online content. They help build inPath’s programs’ online presence and create space for sharing stories of empowerment and growth while highlighting inPath’s goal of supporting and celebrating Indigenous youth.

Alex has an extensive background in art, facilitation, and community work, and relishes in collaborating with a creative team to support and amplify Youth voices while ensuring safety and sensitivity to complex issues. As a first-generation Canadian, Alex is a member of Treaty no.7 and makes their home on the traditional lands of the Tsuut’ina Nation, the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations), the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation (Region 3).

Ashley Gagné

Program Manager - Mikw Chiyâm

Pronouns: (She/Her)

As one of inPath’s Program Manager for Mikw Chiyâm, Ashley supports artists and school teams with the artist residencies, including planning with artists and teachers, checking-in with students, artists, teachers, and admin during residencies, creating organizational tools and resources, troubleshooting, and facilitating training and workshops.

Ashley has a Bachelor of Education from McGill University and six years of teaching experience, four of which were spent at the Cree School Board while living in Mistissini, and two years teaching non-neurotypical students in Montreal. Her experience in different types of educational environments has allowed her to gain knowledge in the variety of ways students learn and apply several different curricula to adapt and create lessons that reach various educational goals and interests.

Through her role at inPath, Ashley continues to collaborate and connect with youth from the Eeyou Istchee, see their creative works and hear their stories, visit several communities within the Cree Nation, and meet others who are passionate about art and education for youth.

A natural-born bookworm, Ashley reads as often as possible, loves making earrings (beaded, polymer clay and epoxy) and is a big boardgame nerd. She also loves walking her blind dog, despite its occasional bumping into poles and fences.

Azure Robertson

Youth Artist Assistant Program Coordinator

Pronouns: (She/Her)

As inPath’s Youth Artist Assistant Program Coordinator my aim is to provide young artists with hands-on, in-community, work experiences and training as part of Mikw Chiyâm and N’we Jinan programming.  I have experience as a mentor and support person for Indigenous students at the university level. I have also taught at the primary level and worked as an art room coordinator for an after-school program in my community of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.

I hold a BFA in Art Education and I am currently writing my thesis and will graduate in the spring of 2022 with an MA in Educational Studies. I also live in and am an active member of my community. I am passionate about education and the arts. It is my hope to bring these things together for Indigenous youth across Canada.

Art has always been a part of my life in one form or another. At times, it has been a saving grace. This work is very important to me because art is just as meaningful as sports and academics.

Art is a wonderful cross-curricular tool and is an amazing form of expression and healing. All learners deserve the chance to experience this. I am very passionate about reclaiming my Indigenous identity and reconnecting to my language and traditions through art and land-based teachings. I love spending time at my cabin in the bush. Also, I love animals, especially cats!

Catherine Ruddell

Digital Storytelling and Engagement Manager

Pronouns: (She/Her)

Catherine is a mixed European settler and Métis artist, strategic communicator, and storyteller. She was born, raised, and still lives and works on the ancestral lands of the Dane Zaa in Treaty 8 Territory, also part of the Métis Nation homeland.

She is responsible for leading the planning and implementation of the digital storytelling strategy for the organization, illustrating the transformative potential of creative expression and skills development, while keeping the stories of youth at the centre.

As a textile artist and printmaker, Catherine completed a residency with the Mikw Chiyam program in 2019, and has since completed her BA in Professional Communication with Royal Roads University. She is eager to contribute her knowledge and perspective through an appreciative and strength-based lens. 

As an entrepreneur she has managed and co-owned a busy cafe, led a community energy conservation project, and facilitated food security programming in schools. She strives to share diverse experiences through a collaborative approach, with an understanding of the ever-evolving media landscape. 

Catherine believes in the positive effect of creative activity on the social fabric of communities and the well-being of individuals and families. Her personal art practice explores topics of identity, place, language revitalization and sustainability. She is a passionate gardener who loves to turn over her compost.

Chyler Sewell

Training and Events Coordinator

Pronouns: (She/Her)

Chyler Sewell is Anishinaabekwe from Garden River FIrst Nation, and is currently based out of Hamilton, Ontario. She is the Events and Training Coordinator and works closely with the Learning & Process Design Manager.

Chyler is deeply passionate about community connection through art and care within and between Indigenous, Black and racialized communities. She channels this passion in her role at inPath, where she supports the creation and facilitation of trainings and gatherings for those within inPath’s network of artists, teachers, students, Indigenous youth and elders.

Since she was a child, Chyler has been exposed to the power of speaking and facilitation through her mom. As she grew older, it felt natural for her to follow that path as well. Chyler has worked with We Matter as an Ambassador of Hope, local arts organizations as an artist facilitator, and the SPACE Youth Centre on their Youth Action Council.

Chyler dreams of and actively works towards a world after capitalism, where the communities that are dear to her can heal and thrive together, telling stories, singing, making music, dancing and loving.

She also loves to spend her time with four younger siblings, sliding down snowy hills and playing at the park.

David Hodges

Director of Music Programming, Outreach and Partnerships

Pronouns: (He/Him)

David has always contributed to creativity in schools and communities, so it’s no surprise his journey led him to inPath where he collaborates with a team of like-minded committed creatives and educators. Each and every day David sees the inPath vision of weaving support for Indigenous youth being strengthened through new ideas and creative strategies. David has always been driven to bring people together for a common purpose. As a teacher, community worker, musician, studio engineer, or event planner, he is constantly pushing the boundaries and challenging societal norms and structures. Most important to David is seeing the difference inPath educators and artists make in young people’s lives, watching them grow through the years and succeed time and again. That he has played a role in their success has been one of the most rewarding feelings of his career.

David’s life outside of work: Husband, father and maker-of-beats. He’s never been trick or treating, but don’t tell anyone.

Jessie Arens

Career Pathways Program Manager

Pronouns: (She/Her)

Jessie grew up along the western shore of the Tenàgàdino Zìbì in a small town located on unceded Anishinaabeg territory. Having relocated to Tiohtià:ke in 2013 to pursue a degree in classical music alongside her career in makeup artistry, she then completed a second bachelor’s degree in literature with a focus in First People’s studies at Concordia University. 

With a passion for all things outdoors, Jessie brought her love for the land and water into her work as a Youth Navigator at Native Montreal, where she developed an adventure based youth program designed to decolonize western systems of intervention before joining inPath as our Career Pathways program manager. 

As a mixed Dutch and Eeyou woman, themes of cultural identity and decolonization shape and fuel her motivation for learning, unlearning and her contribution to the future and empowerment of Indigenous youth. Jessie actively turns to her connections to language, land, art and storytelling as a pathway to cultural and holistic wellbeing.

Jordan Brown

Finance Manager

Pronouns: (He/Him)

Jordan works behind the scenes, taking care of all the money stuff — financials and contracts — so that inPath programs run smoothly. An entrepreneur and passionate musician, Jordan is organized and creative with an education in business, enabling him to master data and create systems required for his job. In 2017, when he heard inPath needed someone to crunch numbers, he threw his hat in the ring and he’s been with them ever since. From bookkeeping and coordinating, Jordan’s position has grown to include contract management and developing income- and expense-tracking systems focused on efficiency and transparency. A witness to the youth sharing their art, music, and joy during the end-of-year celebrations, Jordan feels truly humbled and inspired that his job is foundational in their creative journeys.

Julia Therrien

Sr. Director of Programming

Pronouns: (She/Her)

As the Sr. Director of Programming, Julia leads the pedagogical team and works alongside schools and communities to design, develop and implement inPath’s living programming.  As part of inPath’s directors’ team, she contributes to conversations about strategic planning.

Julia grew up in BC in Tsilhqot’in and Coast Salish territory, before relocating to Tiohtià:ke in 2014.

Since relocating, she has been an active member of Montreal’s urban Indigenous community on both a personal and professional level. Prior to joining the inPath team, Julia designed, developed and delivered youth and family centred programming at Native Montreal, and provided frontline support at the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.

As a Red River Metis & mixed settler woman, Julia is constantly exploring themes of identity, culture and kinship. Julia is passionate about creating space for other Indigenous youth to tell their own stories in their own words.

Llin Owen

Program Administrator

Pronouns: (They/Them)

Llin is a settler of Welsh and Irish descent, born in the U.K., raised in Treaty 18 territory, now they consider Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) their home. Llin supports programming behind the scenes by providing administrative support to artists and acting as an administrative liaison between inPath artists and programming teams. Their role includes ensuring relevant program data is up-to-date, preparing necessary forms and/or agreements, and processing invoices. They work closely with the Director of Programming and the Director of Music Programming as well as the Head of Operations to build out processes and communication flows that improve the efficacy of our programs. They have a passion for organization and love diving into spreadsheets to analyze data.
Llin is an avid reader and enjoys writing (music and literature), spending as much time as possible in nature, playing cello, teaching yoga and making delicious vegetarian comfort food.

Lina Moreno

Learning & Process Design Manager

Pronouns: (They/Them)

In their role as Learning & Process Design Manager, Lina provides strategic project management support to strengthen the design of emergent processes within the organization. They also support evaluation, reporting and data management processes.

Lina is excited about transformation and possibility, both in a pragmatic sense and a lets-change-the-world sense. Lina achieved their MA in art education and taught for several years in elementary, and high school and university.

As an immigrant to Canada from Colombia, Lina sees their role in supporting Indigenous youth as a vital responsibility.

Mark McGee

Travel & Logistics Coordinator

Pronouns: (He/Him)

As Travel & Logistics Coordinator, Mark ensures all of the inPath puzzle pieces fit together and is always prepared to use unorthodox methods to solve problems, knowing that anything can and will happen. Working alongside talented artists allows Mark to see the impact their artmaking processes and commitment have on the lives of the students as they find their own artistic voice, inspiring Mark to make sure all the little details are taken care of. When he’s not at work, Mark goes offline to tap into his creative side: write, create, perform, and ponder compositions.

Ultimately, he loves contributing to inPath’s big picture: supporting Indigenous youth.

Shelby Cohen

Head of Operations

Pronouns: (She/Her)

A white settler born and raised in Tiohtiá:ke, Shelby is dedicated to keeping our physical and digital workspaces organized and responsive to the needs of our staff and programming. Whether it’s assembling and maintaining our behind-the-scenes administrative systems, or coordinating Zoom Karaoke, Shelby aims to keep things running smoothly for the team as we navigate new challenges in our increasingly digitized and virtual workplace.

As an uninvited guest on this land, Shelby aims to challenge and confront colonial systems of oppression and to promote equity and justice. As a musician (and self-proclaimed emoji enthusiast), she is grateful to collaborate daily with our team of creative thinkers, educators and dreamers.

Tashiina Buswa

ArtWorks Emerging Artist Program Coordinator

Pronouns: (She/Her)

Tashiina is Oji-Cree (Anihshiniiwini) of North Spirit Lake First Nation on Treaty 9 territory. As the Artworks Mentorship & Internship Coordinator, she provides logistic and administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the ArtWorks Emerging Artist program. By connecting emerging Indigenous artists with training and work experience, she hopes to be able to be a small part in their self-discovery, growth, and fulfillment as artists!

Currently finishing her M.A. in digital journalism at Concordia university, her academic background has challenged her to think critically, explore experimental ways of conducting research, and to pursue decolonized ways of learning. However, she places equal value on learning from her elders, and recognizes that we can constantly be learning from all our relations, in many different forms and settings.

Tashiina’s journalism experience has connected her with the youth of the 49 Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities of northern Ontario, and her most recent project is a documentary about Indigenous education. Her passion to see Indigenous youth thrive in both educational and work settings is what makes her job at inPath so rewarding.

When she’s not working, Tashiina can be found desperately trying to coax her sourdough starter to produce an edible loaf of bread. She also writes songs and enjoys dog-watching from her balcony.

Tess Houston

ArtWorks YPA & Mentorship Program Coordinator

Pronouns: (They/She)

Tess Ray Houston is a curiosity-driven individual with a love of learning who uses their unconventional ways of thinking to forge a unique path line gifting them with many invaluable opportunities. 

Having been raised in a rural Métis community in Manitoba, Tess worked hard to establish themselves independently in a more significant competitive setting. Getting their start after graduating Valedictorian of CMU College of Makeup Art & Design in 2017, Tess has since been working in the Film & Television Industry (off and on-screen). In 2021, Tess expanded their artistic practice after being selected to participate in the Manitoba Artist Networks Indigenous Rural Artist Mentorship Program (RAMP). They gained valuable experience pursuing their career as an Artist and Creative Freelancer. 

In addition to a career in the Arts, Tess gained many professional experiences, including an extensive twelve-year career in Hospitality. They directly accredit this experience as the building blocks for their resilient nature. Additionally, Tess also worked in Entrepreneurial ventures and worked in the Insurance, Medical, and Museum fields. 

Responsible for coordinating the Young Professional Artist and Mentorship Programs, Tess Ray Houston brings a diverse professional background to the inPath Team, aiming to utilize their skills, compassion, and resourcefulness to foster the creative development of inPaths artists. Outside of work Tess can be found partnering with fellow creatives in exploring life’s odysseys.

“It means the world to me to be working alongside such an inspirational and broad group of individuals whose mission and values align with my own. I look forward to my journey here at inPath and am excited to see what this next chapter brings!”

Ashley Richard

Mentor Support

Pronouns: (She/They)

Ashley Richard is a proud Ojibway, Métis, and Filipina woman living in Treaty 1 Territory. Her Spirit Name is Forever Woman. Ashley’s life purpose is to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother, Mary Richard. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Manitoba and a Masters in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University.

As a survivor of sexual assault and having been homeless at a young age, Ashley is a public speaker and travels across Canada speaking about her journey and the importance of resilience, empathy, and self-acceptance. While Ashley is always busy with many commitments & engagements, she makes sure to prioritize her personal physical & mental health. In her spare time, you can find her either at spin class or playing with her two Siamese cats, Taco & Armani.

Brianna Oversby

Educational Consultant & Learning Designer

Brianna is a mixed European settler and Métis educator and artist who grew up riding horses, eating saskatoons and building weird stuff under big prairie skies. Brianna is obsessed with learning and hopes that her work will open possibilities for others to find the same fiery curiosity for discovering what they don’t know. 

Trained as a high school art teacher, Brianna worked in New York for an organization that provided creative violence prevention, restorative justice and arts-based enrichment programming in schools. Brianna holds an M.Ed from the Harvard Graduate School of Education focussed on building teacher training on healing-informed practices. Her experience working in a broad range of learning contexts has helped her develop flexibility and confidence in supporting staff and artists as they adapt to the specific goals and needs of individual schools.

For Brianna, art and making has always been a way to find confidence. She is passionate about helping others connect, heal, find joy and grow through making.

Katie Green

Organisational Transition Support

Pronouns: (She/Her)

Katie Green is in the role of Organisational Transition Support with inPath. She is an artist, an entrepreneur, and a community connector at heart. At 16 years old, Katie founded her first business and she has been finding ways to bring creative worlds together ever since. Ten years after starting her first business, Katie became the founding director of a non-profit called En Masse Pour Les Masses (EMPLM). Her work with EMPLM connected her to a network of wonderful people and allowed her to build a foundation of knowledge, both of which she’s carried forward to her role at inPath.

On the inPath team, Katie finds ways to build bridges, connect dots, and lay the groundwork so that youth can see their dreams come true. As a dreamer herself, Katie sees inPath as an opportunity to let her creative and professional dreams come to life and is inspired every day by the work of her team and the youth they serve.

Katie’s creative/dreamer side is well balanced by her pragmatic willingness to get things done. She loves imagining and supporting inPath’s big picture while staying committed and grounded in the day-to-day logistics. If she’s not answering your email, it may be because she’s putting out a logistical fire 2,000 km away.

With her BA and MA in Art Education, her roots and experience in art-based learning, and her active and evolving role in the Montreal artistic community, Katie has built business, facilitation, and implementation skills that cross through community participation initiatives, artist mentoring programs, and education programs. And, as someone who is truly committed to the pay it forward philosophy, she’s always keen to share and learn.

Kendra Besanger

Collaborator

Pronouns: (She/Her)

My work is rooted in an understanding that relationships, participatory processes, and intentional design & storytelling are building blocks of more equitable systems.

For over ten years, I have worked across sectors to create, implement, and amplify community-driven initiatives, leading and supporting projects that have shifted public policy and nudged organizational and social systems.

I take pride in contributing to inclusive spaces that foster social connection, imagination, and critical thinking.

Larissa States

Events Manager

Pronouns: (She/Her)

inPath provides opportunities for Larissa to continue her commitment to urban and remote Indigenous communities by coordinating the celebration of the passion, courage, and creative journey of youth who have experienced N’we Jinan programs.

Ahnisnabae from Long Lake #58 First Nation, Larissa was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. With a BA from McGill University in political science and Indigenous studies, her experience includes Indigenous community outreach at McGill, frontline work at the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, and event coordination for Cabot Square including Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations and cultural events open to the broader public. Larissa hires and collaborates with Indigenous artists and vendors to plan experiences that are fun, engaging, and positive for the community.

Inspired by Indigenous community members and youth, Larissa will help bring together a network of youth and artists from across these lands to showcase their creative work on a national level.

When she’s not working hard for the community, Larissa likes to start diets and not finish them while she starts going to the gym then stops. She loves mountains and water.

Sabrina Bejba

Collaborator

Pronouns: (She/Her)

As Mikw Chiyâm’s former Educational Consultant, Sabrina Bejba is truly a people-person, has worked closely with artists-in-residence and teachers to develop and implement arts educational resources and tools that align with the Quebec Education Plan.

After receiving her BA in Arts Education, Sabrina shared her passion for art as a high school visual arts teacher for six years, as well as an arts festival facilitator. Sabrina collaborated closely with artists as co-facilitators seeking to involve students in leadership and community engagement projects.

Sabrina feels most inspired when seeing students’ pride and confidence grow from one residency to the next. If Sabrina is missing from her desk, she is most likely in a classroom in the Eeyou Istchee helping to plan exciting art lessons or guiding artists on walking tours of communities with at least two dog friends. When she’s not working, Sabrina enjoys puzzles, jewelry making, rock-climbing, spending time with family, and transforming random objects into treasures.

Ashley Iserhoff

Board Chair

Pronouns: (he/him)

Ashley Iserhoff is a nationally known elected leader, public speaker, life coach and, since 2015, Director of Health and Social Development for the Cree Nation of Mistissini and currently serves as Assistant Director of Youth Protection for the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. He served as Youth Grand Chief from 1998 to 2002. He rose to become Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and Vice-Chair of the Cree Regional Authority from 2005 to 2013. Ashley Iserhoff also served two terms as Councillor of the Cree Nation of Mistissini, becoming Deputy Chief during his second term, between 1998 and 2002. Ashley Iserhoff studied public administration and other subjects at Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). He briefly studied Public Administration and Governance at McGill. A lifelong advocate for youth empowerment, Ashley Iserhoff has worked closely with the Cree Health Board on partnerships to support youth and young families, including ACCESS Open Minds and the Mistissini Community Hub. He is also a member of the School Committee of Voyageur Memorial School.

Josh Iserhoff

Director

Pronouns: (he/him)

Joshua Iserhoff is a member of the Cree Nation of Nemaska, Eenou-Eeyou Istchee Northern Quebec. He is a liaison for the Indigenous Peoples; Resilience Fund in Quebec. He has worked and sat on the Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation’s board.

Currently studying Human Relations at the Concordia University in Montreal, Mr. Iserhoff has worked for the various organizations within Eeyou Istchee. He has also served as the Vice-President of the Eenou-Eenou Tourism and the Vice-President for the Cree Trappers’ Assocation of Eeyou Istchee. He continues to advocate for the rights of Indigenous people.

Rachel Mishenene

Director