Our Team

Dr. Teena Starlight

National Director

She/Her

Teena comes to us with an extensive list of experiences such as being a teacher for Kainai Board of Education for 14 years. During her teaching career, she obtained her Master’s Degree in the FNMI Curriculum and Leadership Development Master’s Program from the University of Lethbridge. She has worked for the Tsuut'ina Board of Education as a teacher, vice principal, and curriculum coordinator. As a curriculum developer, she has been in an administrative and managerial role, overseeing the Culture Program, managing employees, budgeting, offering training and professional development for Tsuut’ina Department of Education. Teena is…

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Dr. Teena Starlight

National Director

She/Her

Teena comes to us with an extensive list of experiences such as being a teacher for Kainai Board of Education for 14 years. During her teaching career, she obtained her Master’s Degree in the FNMI Curriculum and Leadership Development Master’s Program from the University of Lethbridge. She has worked for the Tsuut'ina Board of Education as a teacher, vice principal, and curriculum coordinator. As a curriculum developer, she has been in an administrative and managerial role, overseeing the Culture Program, managing employees, budgeting, offering training and professional development for Tsuut’ina Department of Education. Teena is an active participant in the culture and traditions of the Tsuut’ina and Kainai people having taught students and colleagues about Tsuut’ina and Kainai culture and traditions. She also has experience teaching at a post-secondary level, teaching at Mount Royal College. In addition, she is currently pursuing an EdD in Learning Sciences with Werklund University. Teena’s role includes implementing a national IYMP governance and communication structure which will support the maintenance and growth of IYMP across Canada. She will also be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships alongside Indigenous communities and coordinating national, regional and local networks of support for program communities.

Who Do You Stay Healthy For?

My grandchildren, I want to be around as long as I can for them.

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Regional Manager

Regional Managers are responsible for overseeing the administration, personnel, funding, and promotion of IYMP within their respective regions.

Regional Coordinators

Regional Coordinators are representatives from provinces or regions across Canada where IYMP is operating. Regional coordinators include community members, research partners,and recreation managers. They are the program administrators that train and support program leaders and manage program budgets. 

Amanda Patrick (Cardinal)

Western Door Coordinator – Alberta

She/Her

My name is Amanda Patrick (Cardinal). I am Cree Métis and reside in Treaty 6 territory and Métis District 11. I have a passion for building community connections and engaging with youth. I am the founding organizer for the July 1st Run…

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Amanda Patrick (Cardinal)

Western Door Coordinator – Alberta

She/Her

My name is Amanda Patrick (Cardinal). I am Cree Métis and reside in Treaty 6 territory and Métis District 11. I have a passion for building community connections and engaging with youth. I am the founding organizer for the July 1st Run For Reconciliation. This event brings out hundreds of people every Canada Day to walk/run in consolidation to honour the children and families impacted by Canadian Residential Schools. I truly believe that it takes a community to raise a child and even the smallest steps can make a difference. IYMP offers youth resources surrounding education, physical health, relationships and culture. We aim to equip them with the tools needed to be good leaders, build confidence and feel empowered. Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow. With the right support they will break cycles, and lead our communities in a good way.

Who Do You Stay Healthy For?

I have a passion for the outdoors. I love running and walking or hiking with my dog. Being outdoors is a form of therapy for me. It not only benefits my physical health, but my mental health as well. Even in the coldest temperatures I will get myself outdoors daily. I try to be on the land as much as I can. We have so much we can learn from the land and the environment around us if we just take the time to listen.

Email

amanda@everactive.org

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Zetta Anderson

Western Door Coordinator – Alberta

She/Her

Hi there! My name is Zetta Anderson and I am a proud member of Gift Lake Metis Settlement. I was raised on the settlement, but my education ultimately led me to Edmonton. I obtained a combined degree in Native Studies and Secondary…

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Zetta Anderson

Western Door Coordinator – Alberta

She/Her

Hi there! My name is Zetta Anderson and I am a proud member of Gift Lake Metis Settlement. I was raised on the settlement, but my education ultimately led me to Edmonton. I obtained a combined degree in Native Studies and Secondary Education and have had many wonderful work experiences within the education system and in education adjacent fields. Some of these roles include being a program coordinator with a summer camp, an educational assistant, and a crew leader for a youth-driven firefighter-related organization. Beyond work, I am passionate about living a healthy life, which is in part why I was drawn to Ever Active Schools. Some of my hobbies include nutrition research, yoga, spending time outside, and journaling. I grew up with sports like basketball and volleyball, and feeling a connection with others through movement shaped my childhood experience. My personal and professional journey gives me confidence in my ability to be a successful IYMP Program Coordinator, so I am excited to begin this journey with Ever Active! Favourite Quote: “You are the greatest project you will ever work on” – Unknown

Who Do You Stay Healthy For?

I stay healthy for my parents and my future self.

Email

zetta@everactive.org

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Kevin Mageto

Western Door Coordinator – Saskatchewan

He/Him

Kevin is passionate about promoting youth health. In addition to being the Saskatchewan IYMP coordinator, he is involved with the Building Vibrant Youth Team in Saskatchewan; a group that works to empower northern Saskatchewan communities to respectfully engage, mentor, and build relationships…

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Kevin Mageto

Western Door Coordinator – Saskatchewan

He/Him

Kevin is passionate about promoting youth health. In addition to being the Saskatchewan IYMP coordinator, he is involved with the Building Vibrant Youth Team in Saskatchewan; a group that works to empower northern Saskatchewan communities to respectfully engage, mentor, and build relationships with their youth. Kevin spends most of his free time playing rugby and soccer. Additionally, he has been a volunteer coach with the Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association and Saskatchewan Rookie Rugby for the last 7 years.

Who Do You Stay Healthy For?

Myself, my family, and my community

Email

mageto.kevin@usask.ca

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Program Leaders

Program Leaders are community members who work directly with and provide support to high school mentors in the delivery of programming. Program leaders maintain program logs, make arrangements for food/snacks for sessions, develop programming budgets with mentors, facilitate weekly session planning meetings with mentors, and maintain communication between regional coordinators and community representatives. 

Diane Gardipy

Program Leader

She/Her

Tanisi, Hello, I am Diane Gardipy (she/her) – a proud member of the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation, Treaty 6 territory and reside in Red Deer, AB. Diane is passionate about providing opportunities for youth that support and enrich their identity, culture…

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Diane Gardipy

Program Leader

She/Her

Tanisi, Hello, I am Diane Gardipy (she/her) – a proud member of the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation, Treaty 6 territory and reside in Red Deer, AB. Diane is passionate about providing opportunities for youth that support and enrich their identity, culture and development. She has worked in various capacities to ensure youth have a voice and know that they belong in spaces where their perspectives, ideas and dreams can be shared, developed and made reality. Ultimately, this is how she became a part of IYMP within her role as an Indigenous Education Consultant for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) and IYMP Program Coordinator for RDCRS. In addition to her work in education, community and youth initiatives she is a certified Usui Reiki Master and Karuna Reiki Master, with Reiki becoming a meaningful part of her life journey over 26 years ago. Her cultural way of life includes powwow dancing, ceremonies, community and continuing to learn her Plains Cree language. I stay healthy for my children and grandchildren so that I can continue to dance powwow with them, be a role model for them and have longevity in my life. I want to grow old so I can be a part of my family's milestones in life.

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Research Team

The Settings-based Intervention Research through Changes in Lifestyles & Environments (SIRCLE) Lab at the University of Alberta supports the ongoing evaluation of the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program to ensure that it continually supports the wholistic wellness and mino-pimâtisiwin of Indigenous youth across Canada. 

Tyler Cole

Research Team

He/Him

Hello, I’m Tyler Cole (he/him)! I am born and raised on Treaty 6 lands, with my roots being in both Norway and Estonia. I am a PhD student at the University of Alberta who is working with IYMP to help develop high-school…

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Tyler Cole

Research Team

He/Him

Hello, I’m Tyler Cole (he/him)! I am born and raised on Treaty 6 lands, with my roots being in both Norway and Estonia. I am a PhD student at the University of Alberta who is working with IYMP to help develop high-school credit courses that best support the needs of Indigenous youth. Working with youth to support healthy development has always been one of my passions, ranging from being my time as a coach, mentor, and teacher. Outside of research, you can often find me in the kitchen trying to craft a new (hopefully) successful recipe, reading, running, and doing trivia.

Who Do You Stay Healthy For?

Those who still laugh at my jokes, even if I’m not that funny.

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