Board of Directors Candidates

Candidate Summary Information

As of June 12, 2024, the Nominations Committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates to be elected at the June 14, 2024 Annual General Meeting.

CHAIR

Yvonne Hotzak

Yvonne Hotzak is a full status Cree from Cowessess, Treaty 4 Territory. She is a Sixties Scoop Survivor, and her mother, aunts and uncles are residential school survivors. She is positive about the results of Truth and Reconciliation and the impact on future generations.

Yvonne is a retired Registered Nurse, which provided her with a very fulfilling career that took her to many destinations, including BC, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Saudi Arabia. During her nursing career she was a Surgical Services Supervisor of the NE region of BC, on the negotiations team for Sask. Union of Nurses for two contracts, 2nd Vice President of Sask Federation of Labour as the Indigenous Representative, and co-facilitator of indigenous culture and history after colonization. While in Saudi Arabia she worked and lived with 51 different nationalities, which opened her eyes and heart to the diversity of our global cultures.

Yvonne served on the board of her local museum, Fort Pelly-Livingstone Museum, for six years, including a term as President. She then moved on to the Museums Association of Saskatchewan Board of Directors and completed a sever year term, also as President and Past President. During this time, she was able to travel to Halifax and Vancouver for national conferences and learned a great deal about policy governance.

Yvonne and her partner, Brian, live on an acreage just between Norquay and Pelly with three dogs and a couple of horses. Brian has faced some health challenges in the last few years, which has taught them how to deal with ‘ability’ not disability. She enjoys quilting, painting, cooking, baking, cross stitch, dominoes and card games with family and elders in her community.

Yvonn has been on the SaskCulture Board of Directors and Creative Kids for three years, serving one year as Vice Chair. She has enjoyed attending and representing SaskCulture at the Yorkton Film Festival, as well as MAS, Heritage Saskatchewan and MCOS AGMs. She has also been credentialed in the Public Sector Governance Program from Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy. She believes in the mission, vision, values and Ends of SaskCulture and Creative Kids and will commit completely to the process and continue the good work of the Board of Directors.

ARTS

Sekwun Ahenakew

Sekwun Ahenakew began her journey in cultural activities as a performer, deeply rooted in the traditions and practices of the Ahtahkakoop Cree; and over the years, she transitioned to organizing cultural events and initiatives. Actively involved with various organizations, she held leadership roles that allowed her to advocate for preserving and promoting Indigenous peoples.

As an educator and sessional lecturer, Sekwun integrated Indigenous epistemology into the curriculum, fostering a deeper understanding among students of their rich legacy. Her role as Health Director has incorporated elements of her cultural heritage, such as the Treaty 6 medicine chest clause, language revitalization, and cultural competency, into health programs. This integration ensures that their cultural identity remains strong and that the community benefits from a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Sekwun’s experience and contributions align closely with SaskCulture’s mission to nurture cultural engagement across Saskatchewan. By integrating cultural practices into health and education, she has demonstrated how cultural development can lead to tangible benefits in other areas of community life. Her work can serve as a model for other cultural initiatives within SaskCulture, showing the positive impact of cultural integration on community well-being.

As a board member, Sekwun would bring a unique perspective that bridges cultural preservation with practical application in the artistic and arts community. Her leadership in organizing cultural events and her innovative approach to health programs would provide valuable insights for SaskCulture’s initiatives, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful for all residents of Saskatchewan.

Sekwun resides in Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation with her family and long-time companion, Reilly. They enjoy long road trips and actively participate in traditional events. Her educational background and health director. Her career trajectory shifted in 2021, allowing her to apply her skills and knowledge in new ways, blending cultural practices with health and wellness programs to benefit her community.

FIRST NATIONS

Kayla Ironstar

Kayla is currently residing on Treaty Six Territory and Homeland of the Métis in Saskatoon. She currently works as the Social Worker for Oskayak High School and actively participates in ceremonies and volunteers her time within the school to assist students in regalia making, ribbon skirts/shirts, sweat lodges, and cultural advisors. She also actively volunteers in the community with Elders and knowledge keepers, and is a pipe carrier. She holds a woman's pipe for her family and only uses it on occasion. She is a mental health therapist and actively contributes mental health strategies and Indigenous ways of knowing within her practice based on the clientele and need of the individual.

Kayla believes that she would be a beneficial asset with SaskCulture based on her background and experience as an Indigenous woman and living with intergenerational trauma and breaking cycles in the community within her practice, work and daily life. She currently sits on the board of SASW and has been in leadership roles in university. In her career, she has supervised and done group therapy circles, sharing circles, and been involved in sweatlodges actively and Sundances.

Kayla was raised as a parentified child. She had her oldest daughter at 15, which taught her early life experiences such as independent living and renting at an early age. She raises her children in ceremony and teach them the western way of living and traditional way of living and how to walk in both worlds.

Kayla’s mother graduated from Lebret Residential School and her father escaped the Sixties Scoop, both parents have been through addiction and currently reside in Saskatoon. She has learned and been taught, through faith and prayer, both belief systems of Christianity and Spirituality. This resiliency in has taught her to obtain an educational background, and she now holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work degree and is currently studying a Masters of Indigenous Education, pertaining to her interest and study with the educational systems for Indigenous and Westernized ideologies for students.

Kayla currently lives in Saskatoon, and has five children, which makes for an interesting livelihood and busy life. However, she believes it is the best interest of the community and children to continue to work and advocate in our communities to the best of our ability. Her oldest son is autistic and has taught her family patience, and kindness.

Kayla believes in working to make this world a better place for our youth, in culture, community and wellness.

HERITAGE

Larry Pearen

Larry is a dedicated community leader and advocate for heritage preservation, has made substantial contributions to the cultural and civic life of Yorkton. He holds Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration from the University of Regina. After three decades in public education, Larry retired as the manager of Post Secondary (Certificate and Diploma programs) at Parkland College.

Throughout his career, Larry has been deeply involved in music education, directing several Yorkton Concert and Jazz Bands, and the YRHS Marching 100, performing across notable venues in North America, including Parliament Hill, Halifax Historic Properties, the Calgary Stampede, Disneyland, and Disney World as well as representing Canada in the Tournament of Roses Parade. His leadership extended to the Yorkton Community Adult Bands, enhancing local events with a focus on embracing Canada’s multicultural diversity. He continues to serve as a festival adjudicator, clinician, and has been a provincial honor band conductor.

Larry's community leadership is particularly notable in his work with the Brick Flour Mill Heritage Society. As president, he has led efforts to restore and repurpose Yorkton’s oldest industrial building, turning it into an Interpretive Cultural Center that showcases the region's milling history and agricultural heritage. He has successfully secured $835,000 from federal government departments, including Heritage Canada for its construction. He has worked closely with Yorkton Tribal Council in many projects such as the Annual Heritage Dinners and Rally Round the Mill. Under his leadership, the Mill Committee has won three Saskatchewan Heritage Awards for restoration and community outreach with presentations by Lt. Governor Russ Mirasty.

In his civic roles, Larry served three terms as a Yorkton City Councilor, actively participating in committees focused on infrastructure, regional planning, the airport, and heritage preservation. He has chaired several community celebrations and initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and cultural appreciation including Yorkton 2005 Provincial Celebration, Yorkton 125 and the B17 Airport Open House.

Larry's honors include Honorary Life Memberships in the Canadian Band Association along with several awards recognizing his leadership and contributions to the community, such as the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and the Canada 150 Medal as a “Community Builder.” He was the recipient of the Yorkton Film Festival Volunteer Award, chosen as Citizen of the Year by Yorkton This Week newspaper in 2020, awarded the Sask Band Association “Lifetime Membership Award” for provincial service and leadership in 2023 and more recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Currently running for the Heritage position on the SaskCulture Board of Directors, Larry brings a wealth of experience in education, leadership, and heritage advocacy. His deep commitment to enhancing community life and preserving cultural heritage makes him an excellent candidate for this role.

Larry enjoys life with his wife Sonia, a retired pharmacist, and their two married daughters with five grandchildren. He continues to enrich his community involvement through singing in the Westview United Church Choir and participating in various cultural and heritage initiatives.

MÉTIS

Jenni Lessard

Jenni would be honoured to serve on the SaskCulture Board as the Métis community of interest. She believes her experience as an entrepreneur, who has been using music and art to elevate dining experiences since 2005, would be useful. Jenni’s work takes her all over Saskatchewan and she is aware of its geographical and cultural diversity. She served on a municipal council for a three-year term (Birch Hills), was on Slow Food Saskatoon's steering committee, was executive of Métis Local #126, and is on the Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations Board as a Director (2020 to present).

Jenni currently has a culinary consulting business with clients ranging from Métis Nation Sask to small tourism operators and health regions. She love working with youth and has a passion for working with folks who are overcoming addictions. Food can be a powerful path through that challenge. Her only formal education, other than certifications necessary for her work, is a high school diploma. The rest of her experience has been gained in a hands-on manner, through mentors, and trial and error. She does not plan to retire as she is energized by the work she does and the people she meets through her travels and projects. Mentoring others has become very important to her.

Jenni currently Iives in the Qu'Appelle Valley in Lumsden with her husband, Ajay, and has two adult children, Alexander and Jasper.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Les Oystryk

Les is a retired Conservation Officer and lives in Creighton, Saskatchewan. He retired in 2010 after a 36 plus year career with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment as a Conservation Officer and Compliance Manager.

After graduating from the Canora Composite High School in 1970 Les completed one year of Arts and Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan in 1971. He went on to graduate from the Kelsey Institute of Arts and Sciences in Saskatoon, with a Diploma in Renewable Resources Technology, in 1973 after having spent the summers of 1972 and 1973 working at Tsiigehtchic (Arctic Red River), N.W.T.

Les’s career took him to many postings across northern Saskatchewan with a variety of district, park and area responsibilities that revolved around resource and environmental conservation, protection and management, with a strong emphasis on First Nations and community stakeholder consultations.

Having lived, worked and raised a family in remote northern locations, Les has acquired a unique insight and a greater sense of individual and family health care, educational, resource management and culturally appropriate heritage needs and challenges in the north.

Les has a keen interest and love for the northern part of Saskatchewan, as that is where he has lived and worked for the majority of his life. He has a passion for the history of the north particularly with respect to the people that have been involved with the fish and fur trade. Carrying out northern historical research is one of Les’s personal passions. A rich northern heritage and culture is a huge piece of the traditional fabric of the Churchill River region.

Les has served as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Churchill River Enterprise Region, Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority and past board member of the Northern Regional Health Authority in Manitoba. In 2013 Les completed the Health Director Education and Certification Program through the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy to obtain his Professional Director designation. Since being elected to the Board of Directors for Heritage Saskatchewan in 2013 Les has taken an active role and has served on several committees as well as being re-elected President for a two year term in February of 2015.

Les is currently in his fourth year on the Board of Directors for SaskCulture. This nomination is his expression of interest to seek another two-year term to continue his work with the board and to expand his experience in serving on committees that he is asked to join.

Les and his wife Karen live in Creighton and have a family of five children with eight grandchildren in various locations across western Canada. They spend time at their remote cabin on Athapapuskow Lake in northern Manitoba; where visiting with family and friends and growing a garden is a source of real enjoyment.

MULTICULTURALISM

Lamarr Oksasikewiyin

Lamarr is originally from Sweetgrass First Nation. He grew up on the reserve until he left to attend University.

Lamarr is a presenter of Traditional Games and has presented all over the province, eastern Canada, Brasil and New Zealand. He attends ceremonies and participates in cultural celebrations like powwows where he dances Old Style Grass Dance.

Lamarr has contributed to knowledge sharing with Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC) and other tribal councils, as well as teaching land-based learning. He is currently in his second year on the SaskCulture Board. He has always been interested in the preservation and inclusion of Indigenous culture in Saskatchewan and would like to continue to be a voice for them