JoAnne Ahenakew

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My name is JoAnne Ahenakew. I am a Treaty 10 First Nation person from Northern Saskatchewan and a band member of English River First Nation in Patuanak, Saskatchewan. I spent my early years growing up in the North. I started preschool and Kindergarten in Creighton, Manitoba, then to La Ronge, Saskatchewan until Grade 4.

Our family moved to Saskatoon after my mother received a promotion and I went on to graduate in Saskatoon, SK. I have worked with children in numerous capacities including in school settings on and off-reserve. I’ve been a foster care support worker, managed group homes, and worked in intensive treatment settings. I enjoy “front line” work, and I especially like working with children and youth. I like all subjects, but my strengths lie in the math and science areas. Not only do I want to help our children and youth excel in school, I also want to encourage a genuine sense of self-awareness and pride in their ancestral roots.

Before having children, I was very politically active. I was very involved with the grassroots movement of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) with the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC). I marched, protested, and dealt with racism at many levels for this cause. I am a firm believer in the power of the people and I am proud to be First Nation.

I look forward to working with these amazing students. We’re going to have so much fun