Sithara Fernando

Elder's Bio

Elder Heather Poitras, a member of the Sawridge First Nation (Treaty 8), is currently serving as an Elder for her Nation. Elder Heather grew up by the Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty 6). Proud of both her First Nation and Métis culture, she has dedicated her 25+ year federal career to Indigenous awareness and culture. 

As the Elder-In-Residence at the Northern Forestry Centre (NRCAN) in Edmonton, she also played an instrumental role in the establishment of the We Walk Together Forward – Indigenous Learning Centre at the Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta.

Elder Heather Poitras, a descendant of Big Bear, comes from a long line of leaders. Her chapan (Cree for great-grandfather) J.F. Dion, one of the founders of the Métis Nation of Alberta, ensured that the Métis in Alberta had land base. The only province to do so.  

Elder Heather strives to ensure that her people, the original people of this country, are included in every aspect of society. She has been dedicated to creating awareness of Canada’s true history, to help with the healing process of reconciliation, and to improve relationships.

Northern Forestry Centre

Michael's Bio

Michael leads a team that enables Cenovus’ upstream and downstream hydrocarbon business in Western Canada with up-front project approvals as well as after approval environmental monitoring and special issue support. Michael has an MSc. in Agroforestry (1999) as well as a BSc. in Forestry (1992) and is a Registered Professional Forester in Alberta.

Michael has 30 years of experience spanning the forest industry, applied science and consulting, as well as the energy industry in BC and Alberta. Michael pioneered the first forest habitat restoration trials in oilsands and led the establishment of the Cenovus Caribou Habitat Restoration Project, which is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive project of its kind in the world. Michael is a co-author on ~ 8 restoration-related publications, which support evidence-based continual improvement of restoration outcomes for carbon and caribou in the boreal.

Cenovus Energy

Michelle's Bio

Michelle Harris is an environmental educator with over 12 years of experience in her field, and truly loves helping people to connect with outdoors and become inspired to want to protect it. As an Assistant Manager with WILD Outside, Michelle helps this high-school age conservation leadership program run smoothly not only in Alberta, but from Winnipeg to Vancouver as well. When Michelle is not working with this fantastic program, you can find her out kayaking, camping, downhill skiing, and doing citizen science with iNaturalist.

Canadian Wildlife Federation: WILD Outside

Emma's Bio

Emma Kniel has worked in forestry education for over 6 years. In her role as program coordinator with CAREERS she mentors youth taking their first steps into exploring future career pathways, especially within the forest sector. She has also spent many years in the classroom leading students and teachers through forestry awareness and career preparedness workshops.

Prior to her work in forest education, Emma attended the University of Alberta’s forest management program. She also worked with West Fraser, and Weyerhaeuser in their silviculture departments monitoring tree planting programs, conducting reforestation surveys, and assisting in tree improvement research efforts.

Careers The Next Generation