Atmos Indigenous Affiliated Advisors

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Sarah (she/her) is a queer Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) woman from Akwesasne, Quebec. She is currently in her master’s in Canadian Studies at Carleton University and is a research assistant with Returning Care and Health Home. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Indigenous Studies from Queen’s University and an Associate’s Diploma in Social Service Work from St. Lawrence College. Much of her research focus and interest surround improving Indigenous health and well-being with incorporation of cultural practices and ways of living.

Kristen is a queer Anishnaabe midwife working at Nipissing First Nation. She grew up on the Northern Shores of Lake Huron and is a member of Sagamok Anishnawbek. She is dedicated to supporting birthing people and new families in decolonizing their birth experience while supporting choice and safety. She has 10 years of experience in administration and budget analysis in my previous career and is passionate about using these skills to support bringing birth back to Indigenous communities. 

Abra Nungasuk Patkotak (she/her/ila) is Iñupiaq from Utqiagvik, Alaska, and grew up in Idaho on Niimiipuu land. She has managed the Pre-maternal home for Utqiagvik and the surrounding North Slope of Alaska communities, and worked as a 911 dispatcher in the Arctic. Abra resides in Dgheyey Kaq’, also known as Anchorage, on Dena’ina land. She is an Indigenous Full-Spectrum Birthworker, Doula, and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community, a role through which she advances reproductive justice while serving Indigenous birthing people. In 2010, Abra was trained as a full-spectrum doula, and in 2023, she received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Abra is a 2023 Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples Healing & Leadership Fellow. She serves as a Committee Member with the State of Alaska Maternal Child Death Review, and subject matter expert for reviewing both child and maternal deaths. In this role, she brings knowledge of Alaska Native culture as well as lived experience with rural healthcare and emergency response systems. She participated in the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs Healthy Beginnings Learning and Practice Cohort to advance anti-racism in perinatal health. In the fall of 2023, Abra began midwifery school with the Center for Indigenous Midwifery’s Cedar Medicine School of Midwifery. Upon completion of the program, Abra will be one of a few Indigenous midwives practicing in Alaska. In 2024, Abra was nominated as a Rockwood Leadership Institute Prenatal-to-3 Leaders Fellow, where she is collaborating with other Fellows to build a strong national network of emergent and established leaders united in their goal towards a healthier and more equitable future. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Maternal-Child Health Systems at Bastyr University, with the hope of bringing positive change to the maternal-child healthcare system in Alaska. In all she does, Abra's overarching goal is to create safer spaces for pregnant and parenting people through systems change, policy change, or direct support.

Pauline Mousseau is a dynamic and innovative Indigenous-focused strategy and program analyst from Millbrook First Nation in Nova Scotia. During her 26 years of professional experience, she has been recognized for her expertise in engagement and facilitation with First Nation communities, governments, leadership and rights holders. Over the past 10 years, she has successfully established funding agreements with First Nations, Tribal Councils, First Nations businesses and Indigenous Not-for-profit organizations. Pauline is recognized for her ability to collaborate, foster dialogue and build relationships, making her a respected figure in her domain of negotiations, strategy and program/project implementation. Her commitment to excellence and continuous learning drives her to stay at the forefront of Etuaptmumk*, while her collaborative spirit fosters strong relationships with colleagues and partners. Through her work, Pauline continues to inspire and make a significant impact in her field.

Pauline is of mixed Mi’kmaq and French Canadian ancestry from Millbrook First Nation in Nova Scotia and Ottawa. Her mixed-background, urban Indigenous experience, and traditional knowledge are an integral part of her life and work.

"Etuaptmumk," also known as "Two-Eyed Seeing," is a concept developed by Mi'kmaq Elder Albert Marshall. It refers to the idea of learning to see the world through two different perspectives or "eyes": one from Indigenous ways of knowing and the other from Western or scientific knowledge. By integrating these two worldviews, Etuaptmumk promotes a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues and encourages collaboration and respect between different knowledge systems.

This approach is often used in fields like environmental stewardship, healthcare, and education, where blending Indigenous and Western perspectives can lead to more holistic and sustainable solutions. It emphasizes balance, mutual respect, and the recognition that no single perspective holds all the answers.

Blayne is an Anishnaabe graphic designer and photographer from the north shore of Lake Huron. She is a member of Sagamok Anishnaabek and graduated from the Cambrian College graphic design program in Sudbury. She is currently living in Northern Ontario. She regularly pursues wedding and portrait photography and does freelance design work for local businesses. As a stay at home mom she enjoys work that can keep her close to her family and community. 

Mel Kotyk is a Registered Professional Biologist with over 34 years experience and has led both the Association of Professional Biologists and the College of Professional Biologists as President. Mel has negotiated Federal / Provincial / and Municipal collaborative agreements for environmental management and has negotiated numerous Federal / First Nation Treaty and Reconciliation collaborative agreements. Mel has received recognition and numerous awards for these initiatives. More recently, Mel acts as the volunteer Emergency Support Services Director in the South Okanagan – Similkameen area and has led ESS responses to numerous evacuations due to wildfire, landslides and house fires. Mel has been the bridge between Provincial / Regional Districts and local First Nations in the provision of Emergency Support Services to Native and non-Native evacuees alike.