NALMA Staff

Biography

Leona Irons is from the Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario and has held the title of Executive Director for the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA) since the organization’s inception in 2000. Leona has over 30 years experience in First Nation Lands Management. Throughout her lands management career she has:

• Worked for two First Nations under the Regional Lands Administration Program (RLAP) and 53/60 Land Management Delegation Authority


• Worked for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) – Lands and Trusts Services – District Level


• Worked as a consultant in lands management – Biiwaabik and Associates


• Developed lands management training curriculum


• Trained both First Nation and INAC (now Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) staff in lands management


• Conducted First Nation lands program audits


• Assisted in the establishment of the Ontario Aboriginal Lands Association (OALA)

As Executive Director, Leona is responsible for carrying out the NALMA’s goals and objectives; execution of the board’s policy and administrative directives; planning, organize, coordinating and managing staff and the operation of the corporation within the parameters of the approved Strategic Work Plan and Budget.

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Biography

Julia began her employment as Project Manager with NALMA in September 2005. As Project Manager, Julia coordinates meeting and training opportunities for the Regional Lands Association (Atlantic, Manitoba, Alberta, Nunavut) and assists the other Regions as needed. Julia takes the lead in the coordination of NALMA’s National Gatherings for Lands Managers.

Prior to NALMA, Julia was employed as the Lands Officer for Curve Lake First Nation, ON. Julia graduated from the Lands Management Training Program in 2001. Julia has gained valuable work experience in a number of positions in the Federal Government and Curve Lake First Nation. She brings that expertise to assist NALMA attain its goals and objectives.

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Biography

Kathy McCue is a member of the Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario. Kathy has over 30 years experience in various aspects of First Nation Administration and governance. In those varying capacities, she developed a clear understanding that effective land management strategies are critical to the development of healthy, prosperous First Nation communities.

As Resource Technical Support, Kathy is responsible for the NALMA Website, continued expansion of the Resource Library and referrals as well as coordination of activities for the First Nation Lands Managers Association for Québec & Labrador. Kathy also assists with OALA, SALT and NALMA Associate members.

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Biography

Jill is a member of the Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario. She began her employment as the Executive Secretary with NALMA in May 2000. As Executive Secretary/Finance, Jill assisted the Executive Director in the development of NALMA and the coordination of the NALMA Board of Directors. In 2009 she became the Finance and Professional Development Support assisting Debra Campbell, Master Instructor with the Professional Land Management Certification Program as well as being responsible for the day to day finances of the organization.

Previous employment included Secretary to Chief and Council and Membership Clerk for Curve Lake First Nation, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Ontario Region, Brantford ON. Jill has gained valuable experience working in various levels of government.

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Biography

Debra Campbell is a member of the Musqueam Indian Band, a Coast Salish Community located on the south arm of the Fraser River at the mouth of the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, BC. She spent most of her early years in the lower mainland of BC and later moved about the province to satisfy her career desire in First Nation Land Management.

Debra received her post-secondary education at Langara College, via the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC in the Business Administration Program in 1980. In 2007 she earned a certification as a Facilitator of Adult Learning from Loyalist College, Belleville, ON via the First Nation Technical Institute and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration and Governance at Ryerson University, Toronto, ON. Debra will continue her studies in the Politic Science Masters Program at Queens University, Kingston, ON in the fall.

Debra has been working in First Nation land management for approximately 30 years and has participated in many projects, boards and commissions, nationally, provincially and regionally. Projects include the Delegated Authority Funding Project to address the inadequacies of land management funding in 1987; Band Enhanced Powers Project; Chartered Lands Act Project which evolved into the development of legislation known as the First Nations Land Management Act; Coast Salish Fisheries Initiative; Advisory Committee on the Evaluation of Land Management (DIAND); Land Registry Project; the Land Stewardship Training Initiative (DIAND) and participated in the development and delivery of the Regional Lands Administration Program (RLAP) and the Land Management Training Program (LMTP). She has sat as the Aboriginal representative on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and was fortunate to have the opportunity to deliver a presentation on First Nation land management to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the First Nations Land Management Act.

Over the years, Debra has worked for and with the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development as well as many First Nations and First Nation organizations, including Musqueam, Indian Band, BC; Westbank First Nation, BC, Sliammon First Nation, BC, Tsawwassen First Nation, BC, Cowessess First Nation, SK., Sto:Lo Nation, BC and the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association, ON.

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