Meet Our Team
Lacy Runner MC, CCC
DIRECTOR
Lacy Runner is from the Tsuu’tina Nation and serves as the Director of the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. She oversees the Mental Health and Addictions programs within the continuum of care model. Lacy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Indigenous Studies from Mount Royal University. She continued her education by obtaining a Masters of Counselling from Gonzaga University and is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling Psychotherapy Association. In addition, Lacy has completed numerous trainings such as Trauma-Informed Leadership, Threat Assessment, Self-Injury Behaviour in Youth, ASSIST, Mental Health First Aid – First Nations Peoples among various other trainings through the Canadian Counselling Psychotherapy Association. Now, Lacy is specializes in trauma-based work including owning her own private practice. She is a proud mother to her son Hudson who has guided her through her current field of work. She pursued her career through lived experiences and various losses. Lacy developed a passion to work in the field of mental health and has continued to persevere with every opportunity presented. This includes being able to prove her work ethic to be in a directorship role to help guide and support a great team of people to do such amazing work for the Tsuut’ina people. Lacy says, “The hardest part is asking for help. Once you take that big leap, the journey of healing and recovery gets easier as the support system of the community and ancestors will always be behind you.”
Carmelita Manywounds
OFFICE MANAGER
Carmelita Manywounds is the Office Manager for the Tsuut'ina Nation Healthy Living Program. She is a proud member of the Tsuut'ina Nation and mother to five beautiful children. Carmelita's role is to ensure the office runs smoothly which includes adminstrative needs, payroll, and payables. She completed the Wellbriety training, Peace maker, E.A Level 1&2, First Aid, CPR, Food Handling, Overdose & Naloxone, Youth Suicide Prevention, Community Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid and many more trainings/workshops. Her proudest milestone is completing the Peacemakers training, she expresses that she is stepping in the right direction for the people. In addition to helping to deal with matters in a different approach instead of the usual legal processes. Carmelita started working with Tsuut'ina Healthy Living Program in 2012 as a Receptionist eventually transitioning into her current position. Her words of encouragement is, "Just know you are loved and someone is always praying for your well-being".
Heather Meguinis
CULTURE AND LANGUAGE FACILITATOR
Heather MEGUINIS (traditional name, Ditoni Tsika) is a proud Tsuut’ina Nation member and works as the Culture and Language Facilitator for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. Heather graduated from Portege Collage with perfect 4.0 GPA which certified her to work in the Health field since 2007. She completed her Addiction Counsellor training from NECHI Institute and is now a certified addiction counsellor. Heather is proud of knowing where she comes from, her identity and lineage. This has helped her to maintain sobriety. She worked in health field since 2006 in many capacities including Mental Health & Addiction. Heather started working with NNADAP when she was a Post Secondary Summer student and since, has continued to work with Healthy Living. Heathers words of encouragement, “ many people only focus on physical and mental self and lack spiritual wellness, connect and ground your spirit through prayer, culture and ceremony, everyday!”.
Richard LeBlanc
WELLNESS COUNSELLOR FACILITATOR
Richard Leblanc is a proud Gitxsan man, a father of 7 children, and married to Tsuut’ina Nation member Ashley Bigplume. He is the Wellness Counsellor Facilitator for Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program and plays the role in Facilitating the Day Program. Richard studied Applied Psychology and is now a registered Counselling Therapist. Over the past 14 years working in the health field, Richard has completed numerous trainings but his favorite type of training is the kind that helps individuals heal through grief and trauma such as Mending Broken Hearts. Aside from family and work, the ceremonial lifestyle is a very important aspect of his life. Richard always knew he was called to be helper since childhood. He found his calling as a Mentor through working with the Healthy Living Program, his role has evolved over the years, and is still curious with a zest of learning more within his role. Richard says, “I have lived many lives from the foster home and making my journey to heal along the way. It’s through my life experience that I am most successful. The education was good, but my life experience is was guides me”. His words of encouragement, Do what you love and love what you do, because if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in you life.
Billie Dee Buffalo
INDIGENOUS PREVENTION WORKER
Billie-Dee Buffalo is a proud Tsuut’ina and Cree woman. Her late Grandfather Arthur Onespot was influential in teaching her traditional ceremonial lifestyle. She is a mother to four children whom she is very proud of and is married to Craig First Rider. Billie Dee is the Addiction Prevention Worker for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. In 2022, she started working with the Our House where she supported clients to obtain housing and independence. In her current role, she goes out into the community as a part of engagement through awareness presentations, setting up information booths, and attending events including sharing information about alcohol, drugs, and mental health. In addition, she aims to help Tsuut’ina community members to keep busy and connect to culture. A connection through various programs such as skirt making, beading, drum and rattle making. Her program includes a Day program that consists of well briety, mending broken hearts, anger management, day trips, and crafts. Billie Dee completed her Addictions and Community Health at Sundance college; she always wanted to help the people and knows she is doing a great job for the community. In addition to her education, Billie Dee has completed the Mending Broken Heart, Teen Suicide Prevention, Recovery Coach, and Opioid Poising trainings. Billie Dee is very proud of her accomplishments specifically graduating from Sundance College and Qualifying for the Indian National Finals Rodeo.
Billie Dee’s words of encouragement is, “Never give up always know where you come from and be proud of who you are!”.
Tammy Abraham
COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEE SUPPORT
Tammy Abram is the Community & Employee Wellness Coordinator for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. Her role is to provide support to the community of employees of the Tsuut’ina Nation in a facilitation capacity. Including working with individuals or groups of individuals to assess, guide and support the promotion and maintenance of a healthy approach to mental health and wellness. Tammy conducts intakes, personalized health and wellness plans, regular reviews, progress monitoring and check ins. As part of her responsibilities, she provides referrals to both internal and external resources. In addition to leading group therapy sessions, teaching coping mechanisms, setting up aftercare programs and supports to meet the client’s needs. She follow’s the Human Resources Policies & Procedures Manual related to treatment leave. Tammy has an MA Health Promotion, BA Honours I/O Psychology, Certificate Human Resources Management. To add to her educational background, she completed the Certified Mental health First Aid – First Nations approach, Applied Psychology: Teaching Grief and Bereavement, Counselling Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Stress Management, Anger Management, Risk management, Conflict Resolution, Counselling and Communication Skills, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention. Her proudest milestones are developing and implementing an evaluation strategy and culture within Healing Our Nations (Atlantic Organization). This is an Indigenous HIV and STBBI Community Education and Capacity building organization serving both on and off reserve communities in 4 provinces. The evaluation strategy utilizes a Participatory Approach to evaluation and all evaluation activities have been integrated with the organizational workplan. The evaluation is not only for funders but also provides information and evidence for new programming ideas and opportunities that are useful to the communities being served. Tammy applied for the role of Community & Employee Wellness Coordinator in the Healthy Living Program of Tsuut’ina Nation. She feels privileged and honoured to be a member of the Healthy Living Team of Tsuut’ina Nation. Her word’s of encouragement is, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Rae Dawn Whitney
CLIENT LIAISON
Rae Dawn Whitney is a Tsuut’ina Nation Member and a mother to two children who give her motivation to live a healthy lifestyle. She is the Client Liaison for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. Her role and responsibilities include Treatment, detox, providing basic needs, and offering referrals. Rae Dawn completed the Mending Broken Hearts, Warrior Down Recovery Coach, ASSIST, First Aid, Naloxone, Opioid First Aid, Matrix Facilitation, Conflict Resolution, Front Line Skills for Social Services, and numerous trainings from the Crisis and Trauma Institute. She is proud of her healing journey leading up to her current life with Creator, culture, community, and family support. Rae Dawn is proud to be 4.5 years sober and wanted to give back to community as a helper. Rae Dawn words of encouragement, “I always say never give up! there is always hope and miracles do happen!”.
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Bill Ward
CLIENT LIAISON PROTEGE
William (Bill) Ward is the Client Liason Protégé for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. Bill’s role is to assist Tsuut’ina Nation community members into Stabilization and working with management teams to best serve clients. This includes assisting clients with entry into Detox, Treatment, and towards a path of Stabilization. In his role, Bill assists clients to look at all the main components of life, asses the best course of action and help clients attain their immediate short- and long-term healthy goals. Bill has a vast hands-on experience working with people one on one who suffer from substance abuse and mental health issues. He completed his high school education and went on to be a Nation Certified Safety Officer (NCSO). In addition, he completed the First Nation Mental Health First Aide, Wellbriety Warrior Down/Recovery Coaching, Wellbriety Mending Broken Hearts, Opioid Response Training, along with many more trainings within his field. He started with Tsuut’ina Healthy Living through an offer by a Tsuut’ina Nation member through his known experience working and helping people. Bill is proud father to three daughters, proud of his good standing personal relationships and dedicated life healing while serving the people and Creator. His word encouragements, “To always move forward, to not look back in regret, you’re not going that way”.
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Lacey Bish
OUTREACH PEER SUPPORT WORKER
Lacey Bish is from the Tsuut’ina Nation and is the Outreach Peer Support worker for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. Her role includes Community Engagement, Resource Navigation, Harm Reduction, Peer support, and check-ups. She graduated from Bishop Grandin Highschool and completed Level 1 Child Care. In addition, Lacey completed the following trainings such as Warrior Down Recovery Coach Training, Mental Health First Aid Training, Standard First Aid Training, Child and Family Designation, (Safety Plans) Suicide Prevention, Communication Skills, and Assisted Equine. Her proudest milestones and achievements include being a proud mother of two sons and Communication Skills Development. She wanted to help more within her community as an Outreach Worker, she transferred to her current position from Tsuut’ina Child and Family Services. Lacey wants to continue to learn and listen to the Elders of the Nation. Including to implement these teachings for the youth of today and tomorrow. Her words of encouragement, “To always believe in yourself”.
Jack Crook
OUTREACH PEER SUPPORT WORKER
Jack Crook is an Outreach Peer Support Worker for the Tsuut’ina Nation Healthy Living Outreach Program. His roles and responsibilities include helping the young adults of Tsuut’ina keep busy with activities, teaching basic life skills and providing them with resources. Jack graduated from David Thompson secondary school with his high school diploma. In addition to completing his Warrior Down Recovery Coach training, Suicide Bereavement, and First Aid Level C training. Jack’s proudest milestones is celebrating three years of sobriety, attending one year of university, and playing soccer at a university level. Jack got into his current position through receiving support from his sister, he started as the Young Adult Outreach Driver then transitioned into his current role. He says, “I love connecting and building relationships with the Tsuut’ina people, it helps me, and my team understand the best way to help our people.” His word of encouragement is, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been”.
September Daniels
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING COORDINATOR
September Daniels is from the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations. She is the Community Well-Being Coordinator for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Outreach Program. Her role is to support the young adults who are between 18-30 years of age. As a part of her role, she does Outreach within the Tsuut’ina community and within the City of Calgary to look for community members who are struggling on the city streets and/or shelters. The Outreach program implements prevention programs such as Healthy Life skills including daily activities (Fitness gym, martial arts) etc. In addition, her program collaborates with other Nation and non-nation organizations to develop and deliver weekly programs. September has completed a vast variety of trainings that include ASIST Suicide, Walk with me Indigenous Suicide, First Nation Mental Health First Aid, Front Line Skills for Social Services, Lateral Violence, Domestic Violence / Family, Violence Facilitator, SARA V- Assessment, and Opioid Poisoning Responds Training. September has previously worked as a Coordinator and facilitated Family / Domestic Violence for 10 years for Tsuutina and Stoney Nations. She is proud mother, holds a Red belt in HAP KIDO Training (Soon to be Black Belt), proud to be free of Alcohol, substances and cigarettes for 8 years. Her words of encouragement, “I love to encourage and motivate others to take care of themselves and I like to lead by example for others, especially the young adults and the young families. I truly believe if you do put your mind and effort into something you want, it’s a good possibility that you will succeed! Never give up “on you” and never be afraid to ask for help. We all have been there”.
Wayson Meguinis
OUTREACH PEER SUPPORT WORKER
Wayson Meguinis is from the Tsuut’ina Nation and is a Outreach Peer Support Worker. His roles and duties include Community Engagement, Peer Support, Resource Navigation, Harm Reduction, Check-ups. He expresses his experience comes from his own personal lived experience. In addition, Wayson has completed his Mental Health First Aid, Standard First Aid, Recovery Coach Training, Warrior down training, and Suicide Prevention. His proudest milestone is being on the Tsuut’ina Youth Committee. He obtained his position with the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program by volunteering. This has helped Wayson within his own life and wanted to share a healthy lifestyle with others. This young Tsuut’ina Nation member is halfway in completing his Firefighter Training and proudly mentions his last name will change to “Twoguns” soon. Wayson’s words of encouragement is, “Keep on, keepin’ on” – Joe Dirt.
Quentin Pipestem
COMMUNITY AFTERCARE SUPPORT
Quentin Pipestem is from the Tsuut’ina Nation, previously worked as an Outreach Worker and is now in the position as a Community Aftercare Support for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living. He completed his high school education at the Bullhead Adult Education and received the honor as Valedictorian for the 2020 Graduating Class. Quentin completed the ASSIST training, Standard First Aid CPR/AED level C, Mental Health First Aid First Nations, Wellbriety Training Institute Warrior Down Recovery Coach, SARA-V3 (Spousal Assault Risk Assessment), CTRI training- Mental Health Counselling and Crisis and Trauma Response (Front Line Skills for Social Services, Lateral Violence, Trauma Counselling Strategies for Healing and Resilience, Addictions and Mental Illness working with Co-occurring Disorders, Trauma-Informed Care, Brief Focused Counselling Skills, Wellness Strategies, Harm Reduction, Family Violence Working With All Affected, Depression Practical Intervention Strategies etc..), Violence Threat Risk Assessment, Not In My City Training – _Mobilizing Communities to Disrupt Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking in Canada. His proudest milestones is representing the Tsuut’ina Nation as the World Champion Hoop Dance (91,92,94), overcoming my addictions (9 years clean and sober), and helping create the Outreach Program for Health Living. His best achievement is being part of many Tsuut’ina Nation Members Road to recovery. Quentin’s words of encouragement are, “I truly believe that with the proper supports and with empathetic encouragement, all addictions can be overcome. All First Nations people have warrior DNA that once taped into will uncover their true warrior spirit. A true modern-day warrior lives a sober and healthy”.
Alisha Ledoux
RECOVERY COACH
Alisha Ledoux is a Recovery Coach for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. Her roles and responsibilities include providing support to Tsuut’ina Nation members in an after-care setting that are seeking a healthier lifestyle. Alisha previously studied criminal justice - policing in Lethbridge, before moving back to her homelands to study Pre-Law at the University of Regina. Alisha’s background includes numerous trainings and experience with addictions. She completed ASIST Training, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training, De-Escalating Potentially Violent Situations Training, Conflict Resolution Training, Fundamentals of Harm Reduction Training, Dispelling Myths and Stereotypes Training, Trauma Informed Care Training, and Mental Health First Aid. Alisha’s biggest milestone and achievement is her sobriety. Alisha lived the past ten years in addictions before finding her way out. She knew that she wanted to bring more awareness to addictions, while also working with our own people. The opportunity to obtaining her current position was presented top her before she moved to Alberta from Saskatchewan. Alisha knew her new journey was meant for be and is now starting fresh by sharing her lived experience and knowledge with Tsuut’ina Nation. She says, “hiy hiy (thank you) for welcoming me on your territory and making me feel so welcomed and appreciated. ninanâskomon (I am grateful)”. Her word of encouragement is, Recovery is possible. If I can do it, so can you.
Cherise Lightening
AFTERCARE COORDINATOR
Cherise Lightning is the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Women's Aftercare Coordinator. She oversees day to day operations for entire program while ensuring the needs of participants are being met through recovery and relapse preventative measures. In addition to ensuring safety regulations and policies are respected and followed by implementing, reviewing on-going recovery plans and treatment. Including providing coaching and teaching opportunities to staff, coordination of services with participants, family, and all providers of care. Assisting clients by providing advocacy as needed, crisis intervention as appropriate, assessments and evaluations. This is done on a regular basis to ensure progress is being met and managing all recovery coaches. Cherise graduated in 2020 from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology. She has over 6 years of experience working in the Human Service field in a variety of different positions such as - Child & Family intervention, homeless prevention, youth/ adolescent support work, corrections, and now as a coordinator for "Our House" with Tsuu'tina’s Healthy Living program. Cherise’s shares she grew up in the Child Welfare system with little hope that she would become anything other than just another statistic amongst First Nations peoples. She has dedicated her entire career in helping the people and giving back to community. Cherise is inspired by the action by the Tsuut’ina Nation and supporting their members in Mental Health. She led her to wanting to be a part of that change. Cherise hobbies include sewing, sports, spending time with her children and napping. She says, “LIVE the life that we as indigenous people fought to preserve. Be everything they fought to demolish and rid from us; show your spirit, use your voice, and live for the ones who never got a chance”.
Gregory Twoyoungman
MAINTENANCE
Gregory Twoyoungmen (JR) fills the role of Maintenance for the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. His roles and responsibilities include keeping the building clean and well maintained. His educational background includes the completion of Highschool and is a 2nd year Carpenter. Gregory completed Wellbriety training, Youth Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid, Community Suicide Prevention, Naloxone, and Overdose Training, Peacemakers, Forklift Training, Ground Disturbance, H2S Alive, Security Guard Training, Telescopic Handler Training, Skid Steer, and Maintenance Training. His proudest milestone is being a Carpenter and Scaffolder, working on the Bow Tower. He started his journey with Tsuut’ina Healthy Living as a driver then transitioned to Maintenance fulltime. His words of encouragement is, “Be proud of the work you do no matter how big or small”.
Mildred Rowan (Milly)
RECEPTIONIST
Mildred Rowan (Milly) is the Receptionist for Tsuut’ina Healthy Living Program. Her
roles and responsibilities include answering phone calls, directing callers to required staff members, keeping reception area clean, and up to date on current programs. In addition to greeting clients coming and going, bringing a positive environment for staff and clients when entering the room. Milly completed her grade 12 Diploma, ELA 30-1 E.A, ELA 10-20 Poetry Classes (taught). She went on to complete a Health Care Aid, Mental Health First Aid, First Aid, Recovery Coach, Minute Taker, and Lateral Violence trainings. Her proudest milestones are having one of her poems published, winning many poetry contests, and teaching a poetry class to others. Writing has always been one of Mildred’s passions especially when it comes to expressing how she’s feeling. She is proud of obtaining her house again with a full-time job after years of fighting active addiction. Milly previously worked as a receptionist with Tsuut’ina Income Support for two years prior to starting with the Tsuut’ina Healthy Living in 2019, eventually becoming a fulltime employee. Milly expresses it has always been her passion to help others in any way that she knows how, and her word of encouragement is, “it is not Easy, but it is worth it, some days you will fall but that’s ok, we are only human, just get back up, dust yourself off and try again”.
