MESC Board of Governors
Dr. Shauna Bruno
MESC Board of Governors Chairperson
Member at large
I reside in and am a member of the Samson Cree Nation. I am the daughter of Victor and Sophie Bruno and a proud mom of two daughters, Koralee and Jacqueline. I have completed my PhD specializing in Indigenous Peoples Education from the University of Alberta. I strongly desire to serve and advocate for our Maskwacîs children and families who deserve a quality education with a strong foundational Cree language and land based teachings.
I want to assist MESC in bringing value to Wahkotowin as a way to support and nurture student success. I believe that Cree values need to be embedded in the curriculum ensuring that what is important in the Maskwacîs community is reflective in programming. This may mean interrupting our understandings of curriculum making and contextualize curriculum alongside the lives of children and families. In our context as Cree people, Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin is reimagining curriculum making in the lives of learners as they come alongside Elders/Traditional Knowledge holders/Cultural Advisors/Teachers to learn the creation stories, philosophies embedded in our value system, language, treaties, Maskwacîs history and culture that is experientially based.
Elliott Young
MESC Board of Governors Vice Chairperson
Ermineskin Cree Nation representative.
I am from Ermineskin Cree Nation. I currently live in Edmonton. I work in consulting and specifically supporting planning, engagement, and facilitation. When I am not working with MESC, I am either hanging out with my wife and two kids, or helping organizations work more effectively and respectfully with Indigenous communities or enjoying a coffee at a local coffee shop or eating at some restaurant.
I have always been interested in Education as I went to the University of Alberta originally to be a Math teacher, but after my first calculus class that dream was definitely not gonna happen. Instead, I kept an eye on what Maskwacis was doing in Education as I saw it first hand through the work that my uncle, Brian Wildcat, was doing with Miyo Wahkotowin Education and eventually MESC. The work being done by Brian, but also everyone involved in MESC was inspiring and I was proud to see what MESC has achieved. When the opportunity to be a board member presented itself, I jumped on it. I wanted to be involved in this groundbreaking and innovative space. I now get to be one of the people involved in this community work and learn from many community members, but also share the experiences and skills I have from my career. For me, working with MESC means I get to work with community, build community up, and make a better future for Maskwacis children, youth, and families.
Education is the new buffalo. We have all heard it, but instead of just saying it, we are doing something about it. We aren't expecting someone else to do this work for us. We are moving towards nehiyawak ways of learning, but also have the agency to bring in innovation that amplifies our goal of education for Maskwacis. If children, youth, and families see our own Nations creating spaces and implementing our treaty right to education, they will see what the impacts are exercising our sovereignty and agency to address our community issues.
The goal of MESC is the same as any other education system, but the difference is that it is intentional on building it on Nehiyawewin and Nehiyawak ways of learning. MESC still wants our children and youth to be excelling in education, but it needs to be balanced with knowing what it means to be Nehiyawak. This approach is how Maskwacis is able to implement and exercise its sovereignty and agency in education and Treaty.
Councillor Jason Makinaw (Proxy for Chief Joel Mykat)
Neyaskweyahk (Ermineskin Cree Nation)
MESC Board Governor, Ex-Officio
Councillor Clainia Potts (Proxy for Chief Ralph Cattleman)
Akamihk (Montana First Nation)
MESC Board Governor, Ex-Officio
Councillor Jeffery Raine (Proxy for Chief Desmond Bull)
Kisipatinahk (Louis Bull Tribe)
MESC Board Governor, Ex-Officio
I'm from the Louis Bull Tribe of the Maskwacis Cree and have lived on the nation most of my life, only leaving to further my education. My work is rooted in administration and management, with training in information technology and current trends. Outside of work, I'm a full-time father to seven daughters and one son.
I'm honored to be appointed by Chief Desmond Bull as the Louis Bull Tribe Council Representative on the MESC Board. I believe MESC's Cree-based curriculum is a vital part of living the Cree way of life. Our youth are our future, and we must equip them with the tools to build the best future possible.
I’m committed to fostering an environment where students can thrive within our own community, grounded in Cree teachings. Moving forward, we must continue embracing an Indigenous way of life while using contemporary technology to benefit our children.
Councillor Izaiah Swampy-Omeasoo (Proxy for Chief Vernon Saddleback)
Nipisihkopahk (Samson Cree Nation)
MESC Board Governor, Ex-Officio
Helen Bull
MESC Board Governor
Elder Representative
My name is Helen Bull from Louis Bull Tribe; (Kisipatnahk). I was born in a tent and I’ve lived here all my life except for off reserve temporary residence for Educational purposes.
My primary field of work is Advocacy in Children’s Services. I have also been employed in the field of management and Social Work Services for many years and this includes Politics.
I agreed to be a MESC board member because I am a firm believer in education as instilled by my late mother, Mable Bull. My mother was a strong proponent for education and consequently became one of the founders of Maskwacis Cultural College. Through her lead I became the first Louis Bull Tribal member to attain an Alberta High School diploma from Ponoka Composite High School.
MESC - for me - is about living our dreams of teaching our Cree language and our history as Nehiyawak here in Maskwacis. We are also able to utilize our own Cree language experts as they guide the organization in so many ways pertaining to our Cree traditional beliefs and practices.
I believe investing education in Maskwacis is so important because we have the ability and capability of teaching and building a foundation for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren through their Cree identity that is so valuable in one’s life. We do still need to teach them the knowledge, skills and tools to move forward and thrive in whatever their interests and passions are.
The most important matter that people should know about MESC’s mission and mandate is that they were established by our own learned scholars and Traditional knowledge holders within Maskwacis. Also the builders were the Four Chiefs of Maskwacis.
John Nepoose
MESC Board Governor
Elder Representative
I’m from Samson Cree Nation and currently reside in the community. I’m a retired residential contractor with a strong commitment to education. My involvement began while serving on the NEA Board, and I later joined the MESC Steering Committee, which explored the development of a unified education authority for Maskwacis. That experience deepened my dedication to advancing education in our nations.
I accepted the opportunity to serve on the MESC Board because I believe education is a fundamental treaty right—one that must be actively protected and exercised. To me, MESC represents more than just education; it’s about reclaiming our language, preserving our culture, and taking control of our own educational future.
Investing in education in Maskwacis is critical. I hope to see more of our own nation members becoming qualified teachers and to expand trades and technical programs that give our students more opportunities to succeed—both within our communities and beyond.
Allison Adams-Bull
MESC Board Governor
Louis Bull Tribe representative
Tansi, my name is Allison Adams-Bull. I am a member of the Louis Bull Tribe and I currently reside in Wetaskiwin Alberta. When I am not working, my focus is my children and family. I am a proud mother to a very active hockey player, my son, and 2 beautiful daughters who focus their time on their education.
I am now on my second term with the MESC board as a Board of Governor. I thank both previous Chief Irvin Bull and current Chief Desmond Bull for this great learning experience and opportunity. Education has always had a place in my life, as I was raised by a Teacher, my beautiful mom Ida Bull. The importance of education has always been instilled in me as a child, and as an adult it forms part of my overall values. Being a part of MESC has given me the opportunity to learn about our Education system and how we can keep building towards an Education system where we can incorporate our values, language and culture into everyday school life for our children.
Education is our road to success and sustainability in our communities. Ensuring each child has the opportunity to succeed in school, so that they have that same opportunity to succeed later in life. Education gives us the ability to provide for ourselves. The more people we have in Maskwacîs that become lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and such; the more we build our Nations.
MESC has brought all the Maskwacîs Nations together to work towards developing one authority for the benefit for all Maskwacîs schools. The benefits of developing one authority are improved resources and services, which in turn will increase student numbers in each school, especially our smaller schools.
Ilene Cardinal-Nepoose
MESC Board Governor
Nipisihkopahk (Samson Cree Nation) Representative
Carmella Cutknife
MESC Board Governor
Parent representative
Azure Johnson
MESC Board Governor
Parent Representative
I am a proud member of the Samson Cree Nation from the Pigeon Lake Indian Reserve 138A. My late mother, Janet Fox, raised me in a traditional home and helped me raise my four sons with those same values. We also called Onion Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan home for 20 years, where I completed high school and began my journey in social justice work.
My mother was my greatest teacher and inspiration. She broke the cycle of addictions in her family and chose a life of helping others. She gave me a childhood rooted in love, resilience, and tradition, and was the most loving Kokom to my sons. Her example continues to guide me as I walk my own path of advocacy and service.
Over the years, I have volunteered in homeless shelters, youth events, and most recently have focused on developing programs that empower young people, helping them build confidence and the skills needed to live healthy lifestyles. I also carry forward traditional knowledge learned from Elders, spending much of my time on the land hiking, fishing, and tanning hides. I have been entrusted with hide-tanning tools that are over 100 years old, and if I could, I would spend every day working with them.
For me, investing in education in Maskwacis is deeply personal—it is about investing in my children and in all of our youth who attend MESC schools. MESC’s mission and mandate were shaped by the voices of our Four Nations and are built for the strength and future of this community.
Bruce Littlechild
MESC Board Governor
Member at Large
I am Member at Large for the MESC Board of Directors and represent Ermineskin Cree
Nation. Previously, I was a Member of the MESC Circle of Elders. I am very proud to be
associated with MESC and what the organization has accomplished since its inception.
Education means a lot to me personally and it is great to see the increase in number of
Graduates we have each year.
Debra Strongman-Omeasoo
MESC Board Governor
Montana First Nation representative