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OUr Team
Ashley Wynne Principal/Educator
Aaniin, Ashley n'dizhnikaaz, Mikinaak dodem niinda'aw, Bawating n'doonjibaa, Nogojiwanong Megwaadoda.
Hi, my name is Ashley. I belong to Turtle Clan. I am from "The place of the rapids" (now known as Sault Ste Marie ON.) and I live in "The place at the end of the rapids" (now known as Peterborough ON) with roots in Brunswick House First Nation.
I am an Anishinaabe woman with a passion for learning my Indigenous language and culture and sharing it with others. I am an Early Childhood Educator and a Recreation and Leisure Services professional who has worked with children in licensed childcare settings for over 15 years. Being an Indigenous mother of 4 who is always looking for ways to connect my children to their culture has brought me on this path of culture-based education.
I home-schooled my 3 children throughout the pandemic and successfully brought Ojibwe language and cultural practices into our daily routine while supporting their educational goals.
I have taken many courses specific to child development, child guidance, children's health, communications, and business throughout my 4 years of post-secondary education. I have also completed Cross-Cultural Training and Indigenous knowledge courses. I often attend Professional Development opportunities to nurture my love of lifelong learning, especially relating to my Anishinaabe language and culture.
I have an up-to-date (Covid-19 specific) Standard First Aid and CPR Training Certificate and a current Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check.
Shenoa Poirier
Cultural Coordinator
Shenoa Christie Poirier is an Anishinaabe Kwe with roots in Brunswick House First Nations and the Red River Settlement. She belongs to the Bear Clan and is a visitor here on Michi Saakig Nishnaabeg, Treaty #20 territory. Born and raised on unceded Algonquin territory, Shenoa was raised by two generations of First Nation women. She is currently in her third year of Indigenous studies at Trent University, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA and made meaningful connections within the community. Shenoa is a lifelong learner, community member, and granddaughter of a Sixties Scoop Survivor. She takes responsibility for healing intergenerational traumas, advocating for positive and effective changes, and reclaiming her urban Indigenous identity. Her role as the Cultural Coordinator with Sage and Sunshine allows her to connect with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Community Members to facilitate intergenerational knowledge and oral transmission, healthy identity making and supports the youth's overall well-being.
Kiana Cress
Education Assistant
Kiana Pearl Dagwa’ging Cress is a proud Anishnaabe Kwe of Ketagaunseebee - the Creator's Garden, also known as Garden River First Nation. Kiana is a member of the Wolf clan and is the great granddaughter of a Residential School Survivor. Kiana grew up in Porcupine, Ontario and has been living in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) for approximately a year now.
Prior to moving to Nogojiwanong, Kiana completed a Bachelor’s Degree with a Specialization in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Indigenous studies at Nipissing University. Kiana is now completing her Masters of Arts in Indigenous and Canadian Studies at Trent University where she is researching the influence of the education system on Indigenous identities, languages, and cultures.
Kiana enjoys working alongside children and youth in which she has experience working in the child welfare system, is familiar with children and youth programming, and is knowledgeable of the specific learning needs of Indigenous children and youth. Kiana strongly believes that Truth and Reconciliation, the Seven Generations concept, the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and the teachings of our Elders have purposes and key roles in the lives of Indigenous children and youth.
At Sage and Sunshine, Kiana works as an Education Assistant where she supports and connects with the students and strives to be a positive role model in their lives.