About Us

Who We Are

Dr. Jennifer Leason standing between her son and daughter in a field. Everyone is wearing semi formal dress clothes.

Dr Jennifer Leason

Founder and President

www.jenniferleason.com

Dr. Jennifer Leason (Kessis Sagay-Yas Egett Kwé: First Shining Rays of Sunlight Woman) is an off-reserve member of Minegoziibe Anishinaabe Nation, Pine Creek Indian Band, Manitoba. Her maternal Indigenous roots are from Duck Bay, Pine Creek and Camperville, Manitoba; and her paternal Ukrainian-Norwegian roots are from Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. Dr. Leason is a Full Professor at University of Calgary and a Tier II, CIHR, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Maternal Child Wellness. She is also the proud mother of Lucas and Lucy.

Evelyn Good Striker sitting in a workshop meeting area, smiling at the camera working on a crafting project

Evelyn Good Striker, B. Ed., M.Ed.

Matriarchal Elder and Director

Evelyn Good Striker is a Lakota Dakota from Standing Buffalo First Nation, SK, and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Elder Evelyn serves as a Matriarchal Elder to ensure the organization stays aligned with its vision by sharing her knowledge and Indigenous wisdom through storytelling and ceremony.

Vision

“Create future generations of healthy, happy, thriving, and loved children, families,  communities and environments.”

Values

  • Fluying eagle illustration Love
  • Kindness
  • Wisdom
  • Truth/Honesty
  • Humility
  • Courage
  • Respect

Guiding Principles

  • Rights

    Putting “back the pieces” so that everyone has the right to feel good about who they are.

  • Joy

    Having fun and enjoying time spent with children, out on the land, and creating/bringing ideas to life.

  • Matriarchal Leadership

    Restoring matriarchal governance traditions, rights and responsibilities.

  • Safety

    Ensuring every being feels safe, supported, and connected through land, love and relationship.

  • Holistic Wellness

    Supporting children, birthing persons, families and communities to improve determinants of wellness.

  • Stewardship

    Prioritizing land, food, water, health, and wellness for generations to come.

  • Connection

    Working together towards shared visions and goals.

Partners

Through kinship and support with our partners, this initiative helps create the conditions for bison, land, and communities to flourish together. Partners are allies who are committed to Indigenous‑led approaches and long‑term stewardship.