Braiding Together '23

 Dr. Andrew Bear Robe is a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Siksika Nation, Treaty 7 of 1877, and is an Indigenization consultant at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business in Calgary. He has pursued his education and professional credentials with the singular objective of collaboratively improving the quality of life for Aboriginal peoples and seeking a just settlement of Aboriginal issues whether that be of a constitutional nature, legal, self-determination, economic or social.

Elder Rosella Kinoshameg  is a registered Nurse from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island.  She has over 40 years of experience in health care and health care governance.  for 12 years, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Manitoulin Health Centre, including a three-year term as Chair. Ms kinoshameg has also served on the Wikwemikong Health Care Foundation and the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada both as vice president and president.  She is currently the Executive Director of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (irfund.ca)

Chief Cadmus Delorme, a Cree and Saulteaux, is a citizen and past Chief of the Cowessess First Nation. Mr. Delorme is finalizing his Institute of Corporate Director designation, received a Master of Public Administration from the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Business Administration along with a Certificate in Hospitality, Tourism and Gaming Entertainment Management from the First Nations University of Canada

Elder Wanda First Rider  is an Indigenous Elder in the Calgary Catholic School District.  From the Blood Reserve / Kainai in traditional Blackfoot Territory, she has lived in Calgary for over 40 years on the land, Mohkinstsis.  Wanda shares her wisdom and Insights as an Elder and  Knowledge Keeper, supporting students and educators alike as we walk together, gaining a deepening awareness of the historical and cultural richness and experience of Indigenous Peoples. 

Pam Sparklingeyes & Cynthia Launiere-Zielke are Indigenous Education Consultants in the Edmonton and Calgary Catholic School Districts respectively.  

Pamela Sparklingeyes is from Goodfish Lake Cree Nation in Treaty Six Territory. She has over 25 years of experience working in Edmonton Catholic Schools and currently is the manager of Indigenous Learning Services. She is also the developer of the Edmonton Catholic Schools Braided Journeys Program which has significantly increased the graduation rates of Indigenous learners over the past 15 years. In 2014, the program received the Crystal Star Award from the National Dropout Prevention Centre which was the first time the award has been given to an organization outside of the United States. The program has also won the Alberta School Board Association’s Premiers Award for School Board Innovation and Excellence and has expanded to 18 elementary, junior high and high schools.

Archbishop Donald J. Bolen and Archbishop Richard W. Smith, along with Bishop William McGrattan, accompanied the Indigenous Delegation to Rome in March 2022, as well as accompanying Pope Francis during his historic pilgrimage to Canada in July of 2022, a visit which focused on Indigenous Healing and Reconciliation.  

Archbishop Bolen was installed as the eighth archbishop of the Regina archdiocese on October 14th, 2016. He took as his motto, “Verbum Vitae/ Mercy within mercy within mercy.” He is actively involved in Truth and Reconciliation Initiatives in collaboration with Indigenous communities 

Archbishop Richard W. Smith was formally installed as the seventh Archbishop of Edmonton on May 1, 2007.  He has taken the motto “Fiat Voluntas Tua” (Thy Will Be Done).

Dr. Bryan Szumlas is a familiar face at Calgary Catholic. He has been with the district for more than 30 years and most recently served as area director for schools in north central Calgary and Airdrie. He has also served as a teacher, assistant principal, science supervisor, vice principal, principal, supervisor of teaching and learning and director with Instructional Services. 

Dr. Szumlas graduated from the University of Calgary (B.Ed., M.Ed., Ed.D.) and has presented at local, provincial, national and international levels. He is well known for having chaired the Alberta Assessment Consortium and for his work on mentorship. “I am honoured to work alongside the many talented staff members in our district and to lead Calgary Catholic in the next chapter of providing excellence in Catholic education."