Our Team

Karen Bernard is a Mi’kmaw cultural educator and designer based in Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia. She is widely recognized for her dedication to preserving and sharing the teachings of the peak cap, a sacred symbol of Mi’kmaw womanhood. Her business, Evening Star Vision Designs, offers hand-crafted regalia and culturally grounded workshops that foster pride and cultural knowledge. She also contributes to Indigenous publishing by writing legends for Nelson Education in Toronto.

Through her creative work and cultural teachings, Karen creates spaces for connection, learning, and empowerment—especially for women—while honouring the traditional knowledge passed down to her. Karen has worked with Righting Relations as the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Change Lab Coordinator since 2023 and joined the NSC in early 2026.

Ishbel has been an activist and community builder for over 50 years, and has developed projects like “On Common Ground”, which brought together the African Nova Scotian, Mi’Kmaq, Acadian and fishing communities to learn about each other’s culture and histories. The thread that runs throughout her life is the creation of a more balanced, just world – where people can heal and grow to become the people they dream of being.

Vanessa loves working in Circle to share spirit led knowledge and experiences that combat colonialism and contribute to the wellbeing in each of us. She is an Anishanaabekwe living in Winnipeg. She is from Peguis First Nation, has Ojibwe, Cree and Irish/Settler blood, and belongs to the Mikinak/Turtle and Doud Clan. In all the Circles of her life Vanessa is an Oshkaabewis/Helper to The People.

Su is a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation who has been a strong voice for environmental, social justice, and the upholding of Indigenous and Treaty rights, and disability and gender rights for many years. She has been a member of Righting Relations for 10 years in various positions. She has a passion for the unity of all peoples and the protection of Mother Earth. Her four children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren motivate her to strive for a better world.

Lisa Odle has been the Regina Circle Coordinator for many years, and in 2025 she also joined the National Steering Committee as a West Hub Representative. The phrase “righting relations” describes her work and her goals, at both the familial and corporate level. Her heart’s desire is to be in a right relationship with the Creator and her family; and to build and strengthen healthy, respectful relationships among people of different cultures, races, genders, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Khaoula Bengezi was the Hamilton Circle Coordinator from 2019 – 2024, and continues to support Righting Relations as a Central Hub Representative on the National Steering Committee. Khaoula is also a PhD candidate at York University’s Department of Politics, and a graduate associate at the Centre for Feminist Research. Her research looks at global responses to climate change in the Sahara Desert through renewable energy transitions vis-à-vis clean energy technologies. Her work centres the experiences of local small-scale farmers, particularly women, and how the construction of climate mitigation technologies have affected their ability to survive in the desert.

Anne is the Director of Programs at the Catherine Donnelly Foundation. She is passionate about finding ways for adult educators and community organizers to build a movement of social and environmental change across our many geographies. She has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit realm and sees philanthropy’s responsibility to catalyze change.