Winona Lafreniere

With a strong connection to her Anishinabe roots in Manitoba, Winona lives out her passion through storytelling, philanthropy and supporting the economic, social, and cultural aspirations of Indigenous people across Western Canada.

Being a strong advocate and leader in workforce development and Indigenous governance, Winona recognizes the need for Indigenous Inclusion in all aspects of her role as Project Manager of the National Energy Business Centre of Excellence at the Indian Resources Council where she recently launched an Environmental Monitoring & Drone Technician Certificate Program.

Her work and volunteer experience spans over three decades, focusing her efforts on empowering and engaging with youth and Indigenous leaders to address social, environmental, technological, and economic challenges. As owner of Indigenous Innovative Solutions, she continues to create innovative solutions that focus on regeneration and restoration of Mother Earth.

She is an active member of the Energy Futures Lab, Clean Resource Innovative Network, Rotary Club of Calgary North, and is currently working on several community-led projects provincially and internationally. Her ancestral knowledge and ways of being helps to foster the growing demand for the sharing of ecological knowledge and wise management practices that will aid in reducing our environmental footprint and create a viable and sustainable future for many generations to come.

She is humbled by the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Collective Events Inc. and anyone who knows of her will say she “lives to give” with love and kindness!! 😊

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