Introducing our new Board of Directors for the Indigenous Gathering Place Society
As the Indigenous Gathering Place Society enters a new chapter of growth, relationship-building, and momentum, we are honoured to introduce the 2025 Board of Directors who were elected at our Annual General Meeting on December 8, 2025— a group of leaders, and community-builders who will guide this work over the coming year.
With this new Board, IGPS is now 75% Indigenous-led, reflecting our commitment to Indigenous governance, cultural accountability, and leadership rooted in Treaty 7 territory.
Returning Directors — Renewing Their Leadership and Commitment
We are grateful to our current and existing Directors for continuing their important leadership:
Buddie Dixon (Bearspaw, Kainai & Tsuut’ina Nations) — Co-Chair
Shawna Morning Bull (Piikani Nation) — Co-Chair
Clint Rivard (Cree Heritage) — Vice Chair
Martin O’Brien Kelly (Settler) — Secretary
Dan Doherty (Settler) — Treasurer
Theodora Warrior Healy (Piikani Nation) — Director
Catherine Koch (Métis Nation) — Director
Welcoming New Directors — Expanding Our Circle of Leadership
We are honoured to welcome several new Directors to the Board, each bringing unique experiences and gifts to the table:
Jeremiah Stump (Piikani Nation)
Jeremiah brings experience working in Indigenous justice and community safety through his role with the Calgary Police Service, helping ensure that the voice of youth, community, and restorative justice is centred in decision-making.Daisy Giroux (Driftpile Cree Nation)
Daisy brings leadership experience in Indigenous strategy and community engagement through her work with United Way, offering deep community relationships and insight into Indigenous-led system change.Nathan Crow (Kainai Nation/ Blood Tribe)
Nathan brings experience in Indigenous engagement and business development with KPMG, helping strengthen relationships across industry, government, and Indigenous communities.Darren Rea (Lac Ste. Anne Métis)
Darren brings experience in creative consulting, community engagement, and storytelling, helping elevate Indigenous voices and strengthen cultural visibility across multiple sectors.
Together, these new Directors add depth and diversity across justice, education, community advocacy, governance, partnerships, and cultural leadership.
Welcoming Youth Representatives — Leadership for the Next Seven Generations
For the first time, IGPS now includes Youth Representatives on the Board — a milestone that honours the intergenerational purpose of the Indigenous Gathering Place and the leadership of the next generation.
Lazaya Villeneuve (Sweetgrass & Onion Lake First Nations)
Lazaya works directly with vulnerable youth and brings lived experience and passion for community empowerment. Her leadership helps ensure programming and space planning are responsive to emerging needs for young people.Levi Kiriachuk (Kainai Nation/ Blood Tribe)
Levi works in the banking sector and leads an Indigenous employee network, advancing representation and inclusion within corporate systems. His experience advocating for Indigenous voices in institutional environments strengthens the Society’s commitment to ensuring that the IGP reflects and serves youth in our communities.
Youth leadership remains essential to our vision — because the space we are building today is meant not only for us, but for the next generations to inherit. Their voices and perspectives ensure that the future being built today reflects the needs, hopes, and leadership of future generations. We are excited to walk alongside them as they take on this important role.
A Moment of Gratitude for Outgoing Directors & Advisors
We also share our heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Directors & Advisors who completed their service this year: Elder Doreen Healy, Anne Harding, Emma MacIsaac, Alvin Manitopyes, and Kris Fredrickson. Each has helped carry the Society through periods of challenge, growth, and change, and their impact continues to shape the work moving forward.