Kiipitakyoyis - Grandmother's Lodge

Elder Kerrie Moore (MSW, RSW) Metis/Cree is originally from Saskatchewan, Treaty 6 territory. Kerrie has resided in Calgary, Treaty 7 territory for 47 years. Kerrie is a member of Area 3 Metis Nation of Alberta, Saskatchewan Metis Association as well as Fish Lake Metis Association, Saskatchewan. Kerrie is in private practice and specializes in inter-generational trauma and grief. She is also a sessional instructor, wellness Elder and advisor with the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. Kerrie provides consulting and training on Indigenizing Strategies to ministries, education, health, justice and agencies who work with Indigenous peoples and communities. Kerrie is an accepted knowledge keeper and Elder and sits on several Elder boards including the Elder Advisory Circle for the University of Calgary and the Calgary Board of Education. She is also an Elder for the Area 3 Metis Nation of Alberta. Kerrie is a recipient of the Alumna of the Year Award 2008, from the University of Calgary, Women's Resource Center, and most recently received the 2022 Student’s Union Teaching Excellence Award.

Deandra Neufeld (MSW, RSW) is First Nations, Kanienʼkehá꞉ka (Mohawk Nation), Turtle Clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve from her maternal side, and of German ancestry on her paternal side. She is honored to be living and raising her daughter on Treaty 7 territory. Deandra brings many years of social work practice experiences supporting Indigenous peoples, rooted in connections on Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabeg territories, and Treaty 7 territory. She strived to incorporate Indigenous knowledges and worldviews in her previous roles within the hospitals, in an Indigenous wholistic health centre, an Indigenous mental health clinic, and supporting Indigenous students and families within school districts. Deandra obtained her MSW-Indigenous Field of study from Wilfred Laurier University and her BSW through the University of Calgary, Lethbridge site. Her MSW program was fully rooted in a wholistic Indigenous worldview, incorporating Indigenous Elders, traditional circle process and ceremonies, while developing a deeper understanding of how structural and institutional consequences of historical marginalization of the Indigenous worldview has impacted Indigenous peoples. Deandra found her MSW experience transformational and is passionate about supporting social workers decolonize their practice and learn about Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, to support their roles as a helper in the field.

Dr. Terry Poucette, Associate Professor (Teaching) and Director of Kiipitakyoyis (Grandmothers' Lodge), the Indigenous Lodge within the Faculty. In her role, Dr. Poucette provides vital leadership in advancing our Indigenous strategy and supporting the Faculty’s commitment to reconciliation. She came to us from a leadership role with the City of Calgary's Indigenous Relations Office and brings extensive experience grounded in community, policy, and healing. A member of the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, signatory to Treaty 7, Dr. Poucette brings lived experience both on and off reserve, including work addressing intergenerational trauma and leading Indigenous helping agencies dedicated to strengthening communities. We are honoured to have her guidance and vision.