Career History

 Leona Carter is a Cree woman from the Onion Lake Cree Nation, SK/AB, fluent in her language and traditional in her beliefs and practices. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with work experiences in areas related to recreation, addictions, child welfare, education, and corrections, and appointed Parole Board Member for Parole Board of Canada-Prairie Region.  Ms. Carter has held management roles in various positions within federal, provincial, and municipal governments and First Nations and non-profit agencies. She has served on Boards/Committees and is a member of the University of Alberta Senate Alumna. Ms. Carter is experienced in: community development; community engagement; stakeholder engagement; partnership development; program and project development; Indigenous Awareness Training; Event Management; Public Speaking; Workshop Facilitator; and Conference Presenter.

Highlights of Career

While employed with the City of Edmonton she made presentations to the Senate of Canada and FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) on initiatives that the City was involved in to make Edmonton a welcoming and inclusive community for Indigenous peoples. Leona presented research on best practices in addictions treatment at the Healing our Spirits Worldwide Conference. She has been invited as a panel presenter at the Canadian Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and Indigenous Works Canada on corporate engagement with Indigenous peoples. 

Leona has kept herself busy since retirement. She developed curriculum and facilitated healing workshops for residential school survivors in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. She conducts opening and closing prayers for the Cultural Competency Training for First Nations Indigenous Health Branch (FNIHB) staff. Leona is the resident Elder for the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Edmonton Campus. Her involvement on the Elders Committee has contributed to the development of an after Masters Certificate Program on Leadership and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. She has been invited to conduct the opening and closing of the Annual Research Symposium of Social Work. Other current involvements are the Edmonton Community of Adult Learning Association (Ecala) as a committee member and a Trustee for the the Onion Lake Education Trust Fund. Leona has been privileged to be included in many functions at Lakeland College including being honoured with protocol to say the opening and closing prayers at convocation ceremonies 

Leona is passionate about influencing systemic change in institutions to create welcoming and inclusive environments. She has a special interest in Energy Psychology for healing trauma of individuals.  Being eclectic best describes Leona, She is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the Canada’s true history and proud to share her knowledge of the Cree culture. Still, her proudest accomplishment is being a mom, grandmother and a great grandmother. Ekosi Pitama!