Meet Our Facilitators

We collaborated with facilitators who, to each of their own, brought a unique blend of experience, expertise, and teachings to their workshops, creating transformative experiences for all participants.

Kairyn Potts

Proudly Nakota Sioux from Treaty 6 Territory (Paul Band FN and the Alexis NakotaSioux Nation). He is a proud Two-Spirit person and Indigenous content creator. As a former board member for 2Spirits in Motion and Youth Suicide Prevention Team representative, he is a passionate advocate who works to improve indigenous youth's lives (particularly queer youth and youth in the child and family services system). He was named to Tik Tok’s Global Discover List in 2022 as one of the platform’s top 50 change makers. Kai now makes his home in beautiful Tkaronto, where he works as a writer, actor, model, TV host. He continues his youth advocacy through public speaking, content creation, frontline workshops and community events. He is the host for Snapchat’s Canada’s First Original Series “Reclaimed” and has appeared in the APTN Series “7th GEN.” Kai co-founded the Indigenous gaming organization Neechi Clan in 2022. Kai is an avid gamer and streamer on Twitch and Tiktok who aims to create representation and opportunities for Indigenous youth in the gaming/content creation world. His creative projects allow him to utilize online platforms to share his voice, culture, makeup, lifestyle and fashion. His audience is highly engaged and shares his passions for humour, gaming and Indigenous social issues. Follow Kai at @ohkairyn on Instagram.

Deanne Hupfield

Host of How to Powwow Dance on Youtube, Deanne Hupfield is Ojibwe from Temagami First Nation. She was raised in Thunder Bay Ontario. Deanne dances Fancy Shawl, Jingle Dress and Hoop dance. She has spent her life reconnecting to the culture that was taken from her mother through the 60’s Scoop. Everything that she has learned about culture and pow wow she has brought back to her community. She has been teaching powwow dance and Regalia making in her community for over 20 years. Follow Deanne at @deannehupfield on Instagram.

Shayna Thomas

Proud member of the Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation located on Treaty 4 Territory. She is a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, yoga instructor, educator, lululemon ambassador, and business owner. During Covid, Shayna co-founded Newo Wellness, a wellness and education brand that supports others in nourishing all aspects of self- physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual through a variety of programs and services. As a past participant of the NAHC and NAIG, Shayna enjoys sharing her love of sports and movement with youth through workshop opportunities. Shayna loves being a lifelong learner, which has motivated her to both attain her Master's of Education in 2021, but also to learn from all relations throughout this walk of life. Follow Shayna at @shaynaeileenwellness on Instagram.

Shayla Stonechild

From hosting the award-winning TV show Red Earth Uncovered, to being the first Indigenous woman on the cover of Yoga Journal magazine and a global yoga ambassador for lululemon, Shayla has established a significant footprint in the sphere of Indigenous advocacy, not just as a prominent influencer, but also as a cultural trailblazer. At 16, a personal tragedy reshaped her world when she lost her father. This fueled her commitment to promoting life and advocating for the reclamation of Indigenous values through her non-profit organization, online platform and podcast, the Matriarch Movement. Shayla is currently running the Amazing Race Canada alongside her brother, Joel, for Indigenous youth across Canada. Follow Shayla at @shayla0h on Instagram.

Chantai Minet

Registered Psychologist, a certified yoga and movement teacher, a poet, a family woman, and a delight seeker in Mohkinstis/Calgary, Alberta. Chantai was raised in the Yukon Territory and proudly identifies as someone with mixed ancestry (Tlingit First Nations, European, Chinese, and Vietnamese). Her graduate research focused on decolonization through de-essentializing Indigenous relationality. In her professional practice, Chantai works from a holistic perspective which means she supports people in the areas of mental, emotional, embodied, and spiritual healing. Chantai's work integrates an Indigenous worldview and focuses on connection with body, land, and all our relations. Amongst other things, Chantai values healthy relationships (with self and others), humility, creativity, and the courage of authentic storytelling. Follow Chantai at @chantaiminetpsychology on Instagram.

Larissa Crawford

Proudly passes on Métis and Jamaican ancestry to her daughter, Zyra, and is a published Indigenous, anti-racism, and climate justice researcher, policy advisor and restorative circle keeper with over 14 years of experience. Larissa is the Founder of Future Ancestors Services, a youth-led professional services social enterprise that operates at the intersection of climate and racial justice. Larissa is also the Founder of Future Ancestors Services, an Indigenous and Black-owned, youth-led professional services social enterprise that advances climate justice and systemic barrier removal with lenses of anti-racism and ancestral accountability. Through an intergenerational, disabled, and queer team of professionals and advisors, they provide speaking, training, research and consulting services, and influencer and interview services to +300 diverse clients. They do this while centering decolonized and Indigenized practices, and are constantly reimagining how we can learn, relate, and work together in healthy ways. Follow Larissa at @larissa_speaks on Instagram.

Malina Dawn

A queer nehiyaw-ahpihtawikosisān iskwew (Cree Métis woman) who weaves together, the worlds of indigenous wisdom and yogic knowledge. She is a Yoga teacher, breathwork therapist, drum carrier and song catcher and loves to share ceremony through indigenous traditional and futurism teachings. She is a strong voice for decolonizing wellness by teaching how to use indigenous ways of life appropriately and as medicine for healing physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Today she creates healing spaces for in person and online yoga classes, retreats, ceremonies, workshops and trainings all over turtle island. She has spent the last 15 years working with indigenous, non indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ youth. She continues to work with people of all ages and walks of life to guide them to the reclamation of their own culture, identity, body and healing through a strength based trauma informed lens. She is passionate about sharing her culture, building bridges in community, emotional intelligence and honouring the interconnectedness in all of Creation. She is currently living, learning, unlearning and loving life on the traditional unceded territory of the xwməθkwəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and s ̱əl ̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. (Vancouver, BC). Follow Malina at @indigenousyogini on Instagram.

Ivy Richardson

Ivy is Nuxalk and Gusgimukw from her matrilineal line and Irish, Scottish, and English from her patrilineal line. As the founder of the Red Girl Rising Movement Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to wellness through movement, Ivy has been instrumental in creating positive change. She also spearheads Team 700, British Columbia's first Indigenous youth boxing team, fostering resilience and growth among the next generation. With a competitive boxing background and a commitment to education and her community, Ivy draws upon her diverse experiences to shape her role as a community builder. Recognizing the transformative power of movement, she endeavors to establish a community centered on the principles of "living every day like a ceremony." Ivy is dedicated to offering accessible, safe, and empowering movement initiatives to individuals and communtities that uplift and amplify their inner strength. Follow Ivy at @ivyrichardson on Instagram.

Dr. Jacqui

ND is a mixed Indigenous Yakama, Irish & Eastern European Naturopathic Doctor, Plant Medicine person, birth worker, teacher, wisdom keeper and steward of the Earth. Originally from the Mountains of Montana (Apsáalooke Land), Sagebrush & Sandstone. Dr. Jacqui is a Mama & tends to the Xálish Medicine Garden where she grows & crafts Plant Medicines for their offerings through Xálish Medicines, and shares teachings on Land tending (gardening) for others to remember these sacred responsibilities and care in growing our own Medicines + Food. Honoring her mixed Ancestral lineages, of the Earth & Stars. She is passionate about sharing knowledge & wisdom of Earth based practices, Plant Medicines, Medicine Making, Ancestral reverence, postpartum support, seasonal + cyclical living, decolonized wellness and Earth tending – to bring a sense of connection, healing & community into our daily lives. Deepening our relationship with our Ancestors, the Land, Water, Animals & fellow Humans – to bring healing & harmony for all of our relations. When we heal ourselves, we heal the Land. And when we heal the Land, we heal ourselves. Dr. Jacqui’s rooted intention is to help you remember this inherent connection to the Land, your place among Creation & responsibilities here, to bring forth healing & harmony for all. To awaken sparks of remembering that are deep within, as we find our way home together & reclaim our medicine. Coming back to the Land, to our Hearts, and moving with this knowing that we are Nature embodied. Follow Dr. Jaqui at @among_the_wildflowerss on Instagram.