CeCe Baptiste
Michel Brazeau
Dr. Joe Dragon
We're excited to announce the appointment of CeCe Baptiste and Michel Brazeau as Canadian Mountain Network (CMN) Board Co-Chairs. CeCe Baptiste, a member of Little Pine First Nation, and Michel Brazeau, a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Algonquin First Nations community, bring extensive backgrounds in finance and Indigenous inclusion, respectively, offering valuable expertise to their roles.
CeCe Baptiste, Vice-President of Finance at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, is a seasoned professional with experience across various sectors. Her focus on fostering partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities aligns well with CMN's goals and supporting our transition to Braiding Knowledges Canada (BKC).
Michel Brazeau previously served in several roles with the Public Service of Canada, including being the founding Senior Executive Director of the Knowledge Circle for Indigenous Inclusion. He has a strong track record in public service and education. His commitment to advancing Indigenous rights and socio-economic development will be instrumental in guiding CMN's initiatives.
Joining them are Dr. Florence Glanfield, Vice-Provost at the University of Alberta and a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta, and Dr. Emily Missyabit McAuley, Director and Indigenous Network Circle Co-Champion with the Indigenous Science Liaison office of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as well as a member of Lake Manitoba First Nation, bringing diverse expertise to the CMN Board as well as the Indigenous Circle of Advisors.
With the appointment of our new Co-Chairs, we are pleased to announce that our past Chairman of the Board, Dr. Joe Dragon, will continue his service as a member of CMN’s Indigenous Circle of Advisors. Dr. Dragon served on the Board since the inception of CMN and led the organization into a new era as BKC. We extend our heartfelt thanks for his invaluable contributions and leadership, which have shaped CMN's trajectory and mission.
Dr. Dragon, a member of Smith’s Landing First Nation and founder of Dragonworks, has been pivotal in supporting First Nations, governments, academic institutions, and businesses in addressing complex issues in Canada's North. With over 28 years of experience in public service, including leadership positions in territorial and federal governments, Joe brings a wealth of expertise to the table. We wish him well in his new position as Principal Secretary to the Premier of the Government of Northwest Territories.
We also extend our gratitude to Dr. Cathy Ryan and Dr. Walter Dixon, who have departed from the CMN Board after many years of service. Dr. Ryan, from the University of Calgary, and Dr. Dixon, from the University of Alberta, brought invaluable expertise to our discussions. We thank them for their dedication and contributions.
Please join us in congratulating and welcoming our new leaders and members. We look forward to their contributions in supporting CMN as we transition to BKC and our commitment to Reconciliation through Research.