First Nations, Metis and Inuit Staff

Leaha Atcheynum  - Cultural Consultant

Leaha identifies herself as a proud Métis woman with Cree ancestry and comes to the Division from Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan, where her family still resides on their traditional Métis land. Her great-grandmother (chapan) comes from Saulteux First Nation and her great-grandfather was a French settler. She's married into Sweetgrass First Nation where her husband and children are registered treaty members. Leaha and her family reside just east of Chipman, Alberta. She's joined EIPS as a cultural advisor with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team where she supports staff, students, families and communities. Leaha has a degree in social work from the University of Regina.

Danielle Booker - Cultural Consultant

Danielle identifies as a proud Métis woman. She was born in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, Edmonton, and now resides in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Danielle is a Cree and Michif language learner connecting to Treaty 6 land. Her ancestry includes Algonquin, Wedat (Heron), French and Polish. Danielle’s grandmother, Celine, attended St. Augustine Mission School in Peace River, Alberta. Her diverse family includes her grandfather Huron Chief Thomas Sahoniatoken Canot Pewadjiwonokwe, born in 1758.

Danielle has joined EIPS as a cultural advisor with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team where she supports staff, students, families and communities. Danielle has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Calgary. She completed her Bachelor of Education degree in 2013 and received the Edwin Parr Teaching Award while teaching in Vulcan, Alberta. She completed her Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2023. Her diverse heritage fuels her passion for cultural advocacy, diversity and educational leadership.

Taryn Donald - Curriculum Consultant

Taryn is a descendant of the amiskwaciwiyiniwak (Beaver Hills people) and the Papaschase Cree. She also has Norwegian, French and English ancestors. She is passionate about sharing her story and how it relates and connects so many of us. She has a huge family that she spends lots of time with and a puppy named Juno who makes sure she keeps moving. She is proud and privileged to be the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Curriculum Consultant for EIPS. She has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and is currently taking classes for her Masters as well. She has worked as a teacher for 10 years, and has spent the last three years engaging in Indigenous teaching and learning. She is motivated to promote structural change in schools to best support the unique characteristics of Indigenous education and pedagogy. She would love to have a cup of tea or go for a walk with you any time.