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Christena M. Curry (BRSS’16, MASRS’22) is a proud member of Pictou Landing First Nation and currently serves as Manager of Parks, Recreation & Youth for Millbrook First Nation. In her role, she oversees recreation and sport programming, facilities and assets, youth initiatives, food security, community events, and summer student employment. Christena is deeply committed to prioritizing a “we over me” mentality, using recreation as a vehicle to foster healthy, connected, and resilient communities.

With over 20 years of experience in sport and recreation, she has been involved with the North American Indigenous Games since 2006 as an athlete, coach, volunteer, and most recently as Venue Lead for Archery in 2023. In recognition of her leadership and impact, she was inducted into the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Sport Hall of Fame in 2023 as both a coach and builder.

Sheena Fayant is from Neyaashiinigmiing Unceded First Nation and brings a lifelong connection to sport through both personal experience and family. Her background in competitive sport has shaped a strong, skilled, and competitive mindset that she has passed on to her children, including her son who is currently pursuing a professional soccer career in Europe.

Through her experience navigating high-performance sport systems, particularly in urban environments, Sheena offers a unique perspective grounded in persistence and lived experience. As an Indigenous Educator within her School Board, she is committed to advancing and promoting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and is eager to continue this work in collaboration with Canada Soccer.

Jaclyn Guenette is a Métis leader, sport executive, and award-winning author who serves as Executive Director of the Aboriginal Sport Circle, providing national leadership in Indigenous sport, physical activity, and recreation. She brings extensive experience across provincial, national, and international sport systems, advancing Indigenous-led approaches to sport and wellness. Prior to joining the Aboriginal Sport Circle, she served as Executive Director of the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, where she helped strengthen Indigenous sport systems across Alberta.

With a long-standing commitment to youth sport and community development, Jaclyn has supported athlete pathways from grassroots participation through to high-performance environments. She has supported national initiatives, including work on the National Strategy for Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation, and served as Chef de Mission for Team Alberta at the North American Indigenous Games. Jaclyn is a proud member of the Otipemisiwak Métis Nation of Alberta.

Kerry Michelin is a dedicated soccer leader from Halifax, Nova Scotia, committed to growing the game through inclusive, community-driven initiatives. Of Inuit descent with family roots in North West River, Labrador, he brings a strong personal connection to Indigenous communities across Canada.

As a player, Kerry competed at the Tier 1/AAA level, represented Nova Scotia provincially, and won the 2015 U18 Provincial Championship with Halifax Dunbrack before competing at the national championship and playing AUS soccer at Saint Mary’s University. As a coach, he has worked across all levels from U6 to senior and currently serves as Head Coach of Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia, following his role as an assistant coach at NAIG 2023. He also runs and coaches a Nova Scotia Soccer League Senior Men’s AA program.

Dave Mysko is a leader, mentor, and community builder based in Dundurn, Saskatchewan, where he lives with his wife, Staci, and their five children. Professionally, he serves as Manager of OT Services at SaskWater, contributing to critical infrastructure and operational excellence, and also serves as an Assistant Pastor at Elim Church in Saskatoon.

Dave has a long history of leadership in soccer, including serving as President of Meridian Soccer in Lloydminster (2015–2017) and as a member of the Saskatchewan Soccer Association Board since 2017, where he was Chair of Governance from 2018 to 2025. He served as Male Soccer Manager for the North American Indigenous Games in 2023 and continues his involvement as Soccer – Indigenous Sport Coordinator for the upcoming Games. His passion for sport extends to his family, with multiple children competing in post-secondary soccer programs.

Donna Sorenson, Treaty 6, Michel Nation, brings over 35 years of involvement in soccer across multiple levels of the game. Her experience includes serving as a BC Soccer Provincial Team Manager, participating in National Championships, and working at three FIFA World Cups as a Team Liaison Officer (TLO).

She has also supported international friendlies involving Canada’s national teams as well as teams from Scotland, Ghana, Nigeria, New Zealand, and Australia. Through these experiences, Donna has gained a deep appreciation for the global soccer community and remains passionate about contributing to the growth and connection that sport brings to people and communities.

Sarah Thomas is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and has been involved in soccer since the age of five. She has played within North Shore girls’ programs and continues to compete in North Shore women’s leagues, maintaining a strong connection to the game.

Sarah is passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous soccer players and is committed to strengthening relationships with partners who share Indigenous values and a love of sport. She brings leadership experience through her role as Chief Operating Officer at Clear Seas, where she supports partnerships and Indigenous-led initiatives across sectors.

Dano Thorne, whose ancestry includes the Cowichan Tribes of British Columbia and the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe of Idaho, is a lifelong advocate for Indigenous sport and coaching leadership across North America. For more than 35 years, he has used soccer as a platform to promote culture, community, and opportunity for youth and women.

As an athlete, coach, and leader, Dano brings a deep understanding of elite sport through Indigenous perspectives. His work has supported the development of soccer programs from grassroots to international levels. As a leader within NIFA, he coaches and mentors Indigenous athletes, including the NIFA Ladies Indigenous Team Canada—two-time World Indigenous Games champions—and elite youth teams, guided by a vision of Indigenous representation and leadership across all levels of sport.