Who is the BRIRC?
Board of Directors
Chief Crystal Okemow
Lucky Man Cree Nation
Chief Donny Ironchild
Littlepine First Nation
Chief Quentin Swiftwolfe
Moosomin First Nation
BRIRC Staff
Dana Martin
Director
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Dana Martin has a strong background in Land Use Planning and Policy, as well as in Law. She began her professional career by practicing Aboriginal law in Alberta, where she gained invaluable experience advocating for Indigenous rights and working closely with communities. After transitioning from law, she joined the BRIRC, where she plays a key role in a non-legal capacity. Dana handles various tasks such as Project Management, Research, Writing correspondence, Securing Funding, Reporting, and Administrative duties. She collaborates with the leadership and Nations she serves to meet their goals. Dana is grateful to live in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) with her family and values contributing to her community.​​​​​​​
Mylan Tootoosis
Associate Director
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Mylan Tootoosis hails from the Poundmaker Indian Reserve 114, located within Treaty Six Territory, and proudly identifies as Nehiyawpwat (Plains Cree-Nakota). He earned his Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance from the University of Victoria in British Columbia in 2014 and his Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Liberal Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mylan's educational journey also includes immersive land-based experiences in Costa Rica, Hawai'i, Italy, Belize, and Mexico. His eagerness to share his ideas insights, and recommendations openly contributes significant value to the ongoing discourse and progress within Indigenous community and nationhood.
Janelle Pewapsconias
Littlepine First Nation Community Coordinator​
Janelle Pewapsconias (They, She) is a proud nêhiyaw iyiniw from Little Pine First Nation. With a background in Indigenous Peoples' Land Management, social enterprise, and research from the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Janelle is dedicated to her community. Her responsibilities include organizing community engagements to ensure Little Pine Nation members’ voices are heard, developing communication tools to keep the community informed, and strengthening relationships both within and outside of the Nation to support its growth and development. Janelle is passionate about making a positive impact for her people.
Jayneika Okemow-Bull
Admin Coordinator
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Jayneika Okemow-Bull is a dedicated and results-driven professional with a diverse background in working with community leadership, education, and organizational development. With a passion for supporting Indigenous communities, she has brought a fresh perspective to the Battle River Indigenous Relations Council Inc. (BRIRC), where she coordinates events and administrative work. Prior to joining BRIRC, Jayneika spent over two years helping young Indigenous students in schools and coordinated medical taxis for urban Indigenous members of the Battlefords and Lucky Man Cree Nation. Her dedication to promoting collaboration and empowering communities is central to her work as she continues to learn and grow in her role.
Bonnie Whitford Evans
Honourary Strategic Advisor
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The BRIRC would like to recognize Bonnie Evans who is now in retirement, who has made an important impact in the BRIRC. She has 35+ years of experience working in Alberta’s oilsands for the provincial government, First Nations and Métis groups. Her expertise in the development of consultation processes, coordinating First Nations’ contributions to major regulatory hearings and strategic management of industry relations was an asset to the Battle River IRC in its first years. She is effective communicator, strategist and anti-racist activist, bringing years of policy analysis and process development experience to the table. Her unique communication style along with the corporate history and compassion make her invaluable in the development, design and implementation of engagement models aimed at meeting the needs of all parties.