Kallie Wood is the President and CEO of the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) and is a proud member of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation located on Treaty Four Territory in Saskatchewan. Kallie was formerly the Senior Indigenous Advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan. She holds a Master of Leadership and Management studies degree and is a mother to four beautiful children and kokum to four grandchildren. As a foster parent, Kallie has many children who call her mom.  

Kallie has her feet planted firmly on Mother Earth and realizes that the Creator has blessed us with the gift of each day. She is a life-long learner with 35-years of experience in leadership roles with experience in organizational change, strategic planning, and program delivery with extensive experience in relationship building, reconciliation, and education.  Kallie also sits on several Board of Governors across the nation, sharing a voice for Indigenous engagement and building relationships.  

Having grown up in a small community surrounded by friends and family in agriculture, Kallie is excited about the journey in supporting First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples in sustainable agriculture and food opportunities through listening, learning, and implementing change. By bringing together voices and a community of partners through the sharing of agriculture practices and business knowledge from Indigenous leaders, ensuring geographical, intergenerational, and industry-wide representation, we can support business creation, advance capacity building through education and training, and connect Indigenous Peoples to valuable networks, resources, and funding opportunities.This approach honours their tradition, lands, and Mother Earth, creating a recipe for success in economic growth for the good of all.   

Kallie has received numerous awards for her time commitment to reconciliation, most recently awarded as one of the twenty-two most empowered and influential women internationally in 2023. She is a recognized and sought after keynote speaker and Indigenous Advisor on Indigenous issues. She is a recognized advocate, researcher and transformational change leader driven by harnessing the intrinsic value of every voice that fosters deeper conversations and a sense of belonging and appreciation in many contexts globally. She has a palpable ability to inspire and ignite a brighter future through Indigenous histories, stories, ways of knowing and being towards a better future for our children, grandchildren and those not yet born.  

Chris McKee is the Senior Vice-President of the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF). Chris is a born and raised Saskatchewan boy from a centennial family farm, whose connection with the province's wide-open spaces has left him with the belief that any individual or organization can have a wide-open future with the right coaching and direction. A firm believer in the uniqueness and intrinsic value of every individual, Chris can engage any audience with his commonsense, directness, and passionate honesty. With more than two decades of experience inspiring and leading teams in designing, developing, and deploying organization-wide initiatives, Chris is no stranger to the challenges of change and the ways to harness the power it can provide. This is what drew him to supporting the establishment of the NCIAF 

Chris has many years of experience in several industries giving him an advantage in navigating complex multi-layered, cross-department initiatives. He is highly regarded in Indigenous communities. Chris was gifted the Cree name ‘Mistapew’, which means “Big Man – Big Voice – Big Heart” - a sign of trust and relationship and his importance in the journey forward for Indigenous People. His strength, resiliency, and passion for reconciliation from a non-Indigenous perspective is palpable. His enthusiasm for change captures the interest of audiences. He is passionate about the message and as a result motivates audiences to action. Chris’ desire to see and experience reconciliation drives him forward in creating and accelerating Indigenous agriculture. 

Veronica Lynxleg is an Anishinaabe ihkwe (Ojibihkwe) originating from the picturesque, scenic landscapes of Duck Mountain’s Southern foothills in Manitoba: Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve. She provides a wealth of experience derived from roles and responsibilities within previous Executive Assistant positions as well as being a Catering & Events Coordinator, Community Relations Coordinator and FHQ Tribal Council Executive Clerk. She attributes her cultivated Business Administration path to being privileged to work amongst many esteemed, influential Chairpersons, Executive Directors, Chiefs and CEOs.

She understands the commitment, integrity and fortitude benefited from an Indigenous agricultural setting which has historically been disallowed. Veronica emits Indigenous pride and is accustomed to building bridges between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Peoples. Her roles, relations and responsibilities are well suited to being a member of the NCIAF family but primarily founded as a Mother first and foremost.

Michelle Sandercock is the Director of Business Development at the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food. With over 20 years of experience in the agriculture sector, Michelle's expertise spans agri-finance, relationship management, onboarding and learning, as well as enterprise and credit risk management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from the University of Saskatchewan and is a Certified Leadership Coach. 

Born and raised on a mixed farm in Southeastern Saskatchewan, Michelle spent her childhood raising and exhibiting purebred cattle and helping with her family’s grain operation. Given her upbringing, choosing a career in agriculture came naturally. Michelle credits her many years of involvement in the local 4-H club for instilling in her a lifelong love of learning, development, and leadership. Her passion for continuous improvement, execution excellence, and contribution made joining the NCIAF an easy decision. She is driven by the challenge of accelerating positive change by helping Indigenous communities reclaim food sovereignty and security. Michelle is very honoured to be part of this journey with the NCIAF.

Kate Fraser is the Director of Capacity Development for the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food. She is a devoted mother to twin girls and is an avid gardener. Kate is a proud alumnus of the University of Western Ontario and is a Certified Agile Project Manager.  

Agriculture has been an integral part of Kate’s life, having been raised on a farm in southwestern Ontario. She has dedicated her career to serving the Canadian agriculture industry, which has spanned various sectors and provinces within our vibrant industry. Kate is passionate about educating both the youth and public about where their food comes from and the vital role of Canadian agriculture in our economy. She strives to ignite a curiosity and appreciation for the journey from farm to table. 

Kate approaches the path of reconciliation with profound respect and a deep sense of responsibility. She has strong aspirations to support and empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Together, we can build a future that celebrates the richness of Indigenous cultures. 

Terry Lerat is the ReconciliAG Advisor for the NCIAF and a lifelong resident of Cowessess First Nation, where agriculture has been an influential part of my entire life. As a devoted husband and father of three, I proudly serve as a Councilor of Cowessess First Nation. 

I began helping my father with his mixed farm operation at a young age and continued to farm with him into the late 1970s. I enrolled in many agriculture modules, earning approximately 20 different certificates through what is now Saskatchewan Polytechnic to learn more about agriculture production. During this time, I worked for 10 years as a pasture rider and was promoted to pasture manager for PFRA and then I had a custom grazing operation until 2012. In 1976, started my own cattle operation with support from the Saskatchewan Indian Agriculture Program (SIAP).  

I was a heavy equipment operator for approximately 15 years into the 1990s. Most of my career was spent with Double Bar D Farms in Grenfell, SK, from 1999-2018. They operate a large mixed farm with both purebred Red Angus and Simmentals. This is where I learned most about good farming practices and agriculture production, particularly cattle genetics and running a successful cattle operation. I also worked for the Cowessess Lands Leasing department in both 1999 and 2007. I retired from Double Bar D Farms in late 2018 to continue building my own cattle operation.  

With support of Cowessess Chief and Council, I founded 4C Farms on the Cowessess First Nation’s lands in 2007, launching a community-driven initiative to cultivate our agricultural heritage through cattle ranching and farming. This endeavor not only harnesses the potential of our lands but also revitalizes our community’s connection to agriculture. We started with 25 Angus cow-calf pairs in 2007 and in 2023, we had 260 cow-calf Angus pairs. From 2019-2023, I was the Manager of 4C Farms, bringing grain farming to our operation. In 2019, we started with 350 cultivated acres and in 2023 we increased to 5,600 acres.  

Through my role with the NCIAF, I want to help open the door of opportunities for First Nations across Canada. There are many facets to agriculture from the smallest honeybee to the large bison and everything in between. My goal is to bring the spirit and intent of the treaties by bringing farming to First Nations across Canada. First Nations should utilize their lands to be self-sustaining. In the next 5 years, I would like to see every First Nation in Canada involved in agriculture and working towards being independently owned and operated. Agriculture can be influential in healthy lifestyles for all community members and it’s important to involve the youth, so they know where their food comes from.  

Monique Desjarlais, a proud member of the Muskowekwan First Nation (Treaty 4) and serves as the ReconciliAG Specialist with the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF)—an Indigenous-led national nonprofit advancing food sovereignty through revitalizing Indigenous food systems and supporting community-driven agriculture across the country. With a background in nursing and years of experience working alongside Indigenous communities, Monique brings a holistic approach to food systems rooted in health, cultural continuity, and self-determination. 

Before joining the NCIAF, Monique supported Indigenous-led clean energy projects, where she built experience in infrastructure planning, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability. Work that continues to inform her efforts at the intersection of food, energy, climate, and community wellness.

In her current role, Monique collaborates with Nations, agribusinesses, and grassroots leaders to co-create sustainable pathways for land-based food revitalization. Her work supports local infrastructure, knowledge sharing, and increased access to funding, training, and policy tools that uplift Indigenous values and priorities. She holds a strong belief that food sovereignty is about reclaiming traditional food-systems, restoring wellness, and strengthening self-determination; viewing access to culturally relevant and nutritious food as a critical health imperative and a fundamental determinant of health for Indigenous communities. For Monique, this work is part of a broader movement toward Indigenous-led futures and a powerful expression of Indigenous rights rooted in land, knowledge, and the strength of community leadership.

Justice Acoose is the Communications Specialist for the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food. Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, she is a passionate communicator and advocate with a diverse background in administration, community engagement, and public health initiatives. Justice uses her skills to amplify the NCIAF’s mission and vision.  

With experience in administrative positions within government, Justice honed her organizational prowess by managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and overseeing administrative processes. Her attention to detail shines through her ability to create engaging social media content. Driven by a commitment to community empowerment, Justice is proud to leverage her expertise to create positive change and foster inclusive environments at NCIAF. Her journey reflects her dedication to supporting Indigenous communities and contributing to the advancement of Indigenous agriculture in Canada.

Sarah Adams is the Business Development Specialist. Her background spans marketing, project management, HR, and finance, with over 10 years of experience working in business development and strategic partnerships. Sarah has led digital marketing initiatives, managed content strategies, and built strong relationships within various industries, focusing on sustainable growth and client-focused solutions. In HR and project management roles, she developed hiring strategies, handled complex projects, and supported organizational goals through planning and execution. Sarah is looking forward to applying these skills to help advance NCIAF’s mission and support Indigenous communities in agriculture and food sovereignty

Wendy has been invested in agriculture her entire life, with rural roots in Manitoba.  Her curiosity has led her on an incredible journey, including work in a diversity of agriculture and food systems across Canada and internationally.  This path has allowed for opportunities to see things in new ways and challenge the status quo, in both the public and private sector. 

With the Manitoba Government, she actively explores diverse issues including economic, environment, and social challenges; recognizing that their interconnected nature requires holistic problem solving.  Reconciliation and allyship are important in both her work and daily life.  Relationships and guidance from Indigenous communities, individuals and organizations have been critical in exploring new ways of working. 

She continues to focus on understanding actions and opportunities to remove historical barriers and bias, support self determined food sovereignty and enable new approaches to building equitable funding models.

Emily was born and raised in the Upper Ottawa Valley, where her Métis family settled after leaving Athabasca and choosing not to settle in Red River with other family members (Why not? Because of love of course! It’s a great romance mixed with the rebellious Métis spirit.) Her father grew up immersed in traditional Métis culture, practicing self-sustainability—a legacy passed down through generations. This heritage has given Emily hands-on experience in farming, harvesting, food preservation, and a deep appreciation for sovereign foods. Beyond her work in food systems, Emily shares her cultural connections through music as a talented multi-instrumentalist, a passion passed down from her ancestors. Now working as a freelance consultant in the agri-food industry, she is committed to sharing her knowledge and fostering relationships to drive meaningful change.

From Emily: I’ve always believed in the power of relationships to create lasting change. Growing up, my family’s food system was at the heart of our lives. There were always animals or plants to be taken care of and there was a lot of ceremony and celebration in foods. We raised chickens and beef cattle alongside my uncle, tended a sprawling garden, harvested wild foods, and preserved anything we couldn’t consume right away. Trading vegetables and preserves with family—if it wasn’t in our pantry, it was in my Aunties’!—created bonds that strengthened our culture. Some of my fondest childhood memories were processing and canning venison with my extended family (it’s the only time I eat/ate heart, when its fresh) and our spring mud pout fishing trips. If the black flies were biting, so were the mud pout! These experiences taught me the value of cultural connection through sovereign foods and reciprocity with people and the land.

My husband’s Dutch family immigrated to Canada after WWII and, like my own, had a food system rooted in culture and community. Together, we’re passing these family and cultural values on to our two sons.

For me, work isn’t just about results—it’s about honouring my roots and respecting the values of others by building relationships, acting with integrity, and creating meaningful impact. I believe that when we invest in people and their ideas, we cultivate solutions that endure. Whether I’m mentoring emerging entrepreneurs or working to shape policies that will strengthen food systems, every opportunity allows me to give back and contribute to something greater.