Beyond the River

About Us!

We are a group of 5 First Nations, Metis and Inuit emerging leaders living and working in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) restoring our relationships with the Lands and Waters we call home.

Goals!

Work with local schools to educate students on First Nations and Metis history and relationships with the river valley
Develop a wholistic – whole person, whole ecosystem – urban Indigenous fish habitat restoration plan
Share what we learn and encourage youth-led, urban restoration projects in other territories

Connect with us!

Our team is rooted in the amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) river valley but we love to meet all people and orgs doing Land-based or youth-led climate work.

Contact Hillary at hronald@videa.ca

Meet Our Team!

Hillary Ronald

Head of Climate

Hillary Ronald (she/her/hers), the Head of Climate Team, is passionate about climate justice and how it intersects with basically everything (and promises to have a podcast to back up all her fun facts). She is a settler on both sides of her family and currently lives and works on lək̓ʷəŋən territory. She has the BEST job working with Indigenous youth and not so secretly hopes to be part of a seaweed farming collective in the future.

Janelle Spry Papastesis

Beyond the River Community Coordinator

Tânisi nitsîyihkâson Janelle Spry Papastesis nemês sakahikan ohci nîya Hello, my name is Janelle Spry Papastesis(pah-pah-sh-chees) which means Woodpecker. I am from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in treaty 8 territory but reside in Edmonton (Beaver hills). I’ve always felt connected to the city knowing my family lived here before it became a city. I am excited to bring my Cree culture and hope to encourage youth to not be afraid to reconnect and build a strong relationship with the land again

Josephine Coyes-Loiselle

Beyond The River Community Coordinator

Josephine Coyes-Loiselle is a Community Coordinator in Amiskwâskahikan, where she has been involved in leading several local projects for the past two years. She feels very lucky to have grown up close to the river valley where she has spent so much time over the years. She is excited to be a part of Beyond the River and is looking forward to connecting with the community and learning about the history of this beloved place.

Laura Sabatier

Beyond the River Community Coordinator

Hi! I’m Laura Sabatier, a Beyond The River Community Coordinator, born in Edmonton with Inuit roots. As someone who has been keeping aquarium ecosystems for many years now, I really appreciate the natural environment we have readily available to us in the city. The river valley and surrounding creeks help Edmonton feel like home to me. I deeply care about our wildlife, and I’m excited to bring all my love and growing knowledge to the team, in our quest to strengthen connection to the land!

Stephenie White

Beyond the River Community Coordinator

Stephenie White is a mother of two and, a member of Metis nation of Alberta, from amiskwaciywaskahikan. Stephenie is currently a student at Macewan University taking her BA in Anthropology and Arts and Culture Management. She is passionate about food sovereignty an enjoys learning about different plants and medicines.