Winona Lafreniere

Biography

Winona is a proud First Nations member of Treaty 4 in northern Manitoba, now living in Treaty 7 (Calgary, Alberta). With more two decades of Indigenous relations and economic reconciliation, she has consistently advanced meaningful partnerships between governments, industry, and Indigenous communities.
As a Strategic Indigenous Advisor with Channer Consulting & Training and Tourism Calgary, Winona has collaborated with over 30 Indigenous Nations across Alberta to design and deliver innovative workforce development initiatives. She co-led the creation of an Environmental Monitoring and Drone Technician Training Program, linking drone technologies with Indigenous stewardship, workforce pathways, and environmental protection. In partnership with Edmonton International Airport (YEG), she also helped launch a groundbreaking Flight Attendant Training Program with Ermineskin Cree Nation, which successfully placed graduates into employment, creating new opportunities for Indigenous participation in the aviation sector. Winona brings a unique perspective to the integration of RPAS into Canada’s national airspace, one that emphasizes safety, data sovereignty, and community inclusion. She believes that airports such as Edmonton International (YEG) can become hubs not only of aviation innovation but also of reconciliation, where Indigenous talent, knowledge, and leadership help shape the future of security, sustainability, and drone operations.
Beyond her professional contributions, Winona is a strong advocate for women in STEM, Indigenous youth in business, and cultural revitalization. She volunteers her leadership with organizations such as the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, Project Forest, Ducks Unlimited, the Energy Futures Lab, NorQuest College, and Rotary District 5360.
In her spare time, she can be found exploring the outdoors with her camera, harvesting traditional medicines, and living by the principle that she “lives to give”, grounded in love, kindness, and responsibility to the land.