Our Team
We are a dynamic and supportive team of many diverse backgrounds, with the goal of providing a safe cultural environment for the unconditional support required of individuals and their families.

Meet The Team

Alana Halter
Youth Centre Assistant

Amber Weaselhead
Support Worker, Indigenous Learner Supports/Doula

Annette Collins
Support Worker
Annette is a Nēhiyaw /Métis Iskwew and a member of the Kikino Métis Settlement community. She is a graduate of Northern Lakes College Social Work Diploma Program and is a registered social worker with the Alberta College of Registered Social Workers. Prior to her career within the human services field, Annette provided a vital administrative support role within the secondary school system.

Danielle Lynis
Support Worker
Danielle is a Nēhiyaw /Métis Iskwew born and raised in the community of Lac La Biche. Prior to her current position, she begat years of experience working within Indigenous and non-Indigenous helping organizations. Danielle is currently enrolled in the Community Social Worker Diploma Program.

Donna Webster
Executive Director
Donna a Nēhiyaw /Métis Iskwew raised in the community of Owl River. She holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Professional Human Services, is a Certified Life Skills Coach and has been a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers for over twenty five years. She has seventeen years’ of employment experience within the post-secondary education system, numerous years as a volunteer in various non-profit board member positions and over twenty years in the management of Indigenous organizations.

Hannah Rauser
Support Worker
Hannah comes to the Friendship Centre from the farming community of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. She is completing the second year of her Child and Youth Care Diploma with Lakeland College.

Jackie Ladouceur
Program Assistant
Jackie grew up in Kikino, and attended high school in Lac La Biche, she is now working on completing school to become an Educational Assistant. In her spare time Jackie likes spending time with her family, watching Dragon Ball Z and taking videos of her son being adorable.

Jamie John
Support Worker
Nēhiyaw Napew

Jenna Hupka
Program Lead
Jenna is a Registered Social Worker who has a Diploma in Social Work from Portage College. She grew up in Lac La Biche and has continued to grow in her home community. She has worked with the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre for a couple years now, and hopes to continue to further her education and career as a social worker in the near future. She would like everyone to know that though Indigenous is in the program title anyone who needs help with reading, writing, or other components of literacy is more than welcome to come in and chat!

Kristina Desjarlais
Receptionist / Support Worker Assistant
Kristina is Ojibway from the First Nation in Barrie, Ontario. Prior to her current position with the Lac La Biche Friendship Centre, she played an active role as a youth worker within the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres. Kristina is a certified Indigenous Doula from University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills and is in the process of obtaining her certification as an Indigenous Birth Worker under the tutelage of the Alberta Indigenous Birth Workers.

Liz Shaffer
Finance Manager
Liz is of Irish Celtic heritage and names her main place of origin to be Winnipeg Manitoba. A graduate of the Accounting/Bookkeeping Certificate program from Portage College, she brings to her position over twenty one years of practice in the field and extensive hands on expertise within the hospitality and tourism industry.

Maranda Cardinal
Support Worker
Maranda a Nēhiyaw Iskwew from the Beaver Lake Cree Nation is in the final stages of completing of her Community Social Worker Diploma with Portage College. She brings to her position the added experience of working within an Indigenous governance system and the knowledge and artistic practice of traditional land based teachings.

Nicole Cardinal-Lavallee
Program Coordinator
Nicole a Nēhiyaw Iskwew with the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, was born and raised in the community of Lac La Biche. She is currently completing the final courses to obtain her Diploma as a Natural Resource Technician Diploma with Portage College. As a champion Métis jigger many times over, she readily shares her culture and heritage while instructing members in the art of traditional Métis dance.

Nicole Cardinal
Support Worker
Nicole a Nēhiyaw Iskwew from the Bigstone Cree Nation is a graduate of the Portage College Community Social Worker Diploma program. She has been a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Registered Social Workers for the past ten years. The Centre is proud to acknowledge Nicole’s volunteer role as a firefighter and one of a few women within the Lac La Biche County Protective Services.

Priscilla Calliou
Women’s Gathering Coordinator

Serena Cardinal
Sanitation Engineer
Serena is a Nēhiyaw /Métis Iskwew raised in the community of Lac La Biche. She is currently upgrading courses to further her education in university studies.
Winston Desjarlais
Support Worker
Winston is a Nēhiyaw Napew from the Beaver Lake Cree Nation. He is a Diploma graduate of the Portage College Community Social Worker Program and has been a registered social worker with the Alberta College of Registered Social Workers for seven years. Winston brings to the Centre his added experience of serving in the Canadian Military