We are a team of people passionate about Indigenous cultural preservation and celebration.

Leadership

Felix Thomas

Board Chair

Felix Thomas has served on the Wanuskewin Board of Directors since December 01, 2017 and was appointed Chair in 2019.  During Felix’s time on the board he has over seen and provided direction on the following four pillars: returning bison back to Wanuskewin after 150 year absence, completion of the Thundering Ahead capital campaign, championing Wanuskewin’s bid to become a UNESCO world heritage site, and the rejuvenation of the Opimahaw Valley.

Felix Thomas has over 30 years of senior governance and management experience with First Nations. Born and raised on the Kinisitin Saulteaux Nation, Felix graduated from Pleasantdale School and the University of Saskatchewan. Chief Thomas has a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and Bachelor of Arts.

First elected as a councillor in 1991 Felix was the first elected chief in 1993 until 1999. Felix was also Executive Director of FSIN’s Health and Social Development Commission from 1999-2002.

Chief Thomas was re-elected in 2003 until 2008 when he was elected Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council until 2017. He has since returned to Kinistin Governance as Chief.

Over the years, Chief Thomas has been instrumental in national, regional and local volunteer boards. Chief Thomas has co-chaired Assembly of First Nation, Chiefs Committee on Health, and was Chairman of Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.  Chief Thomas is currently chair of the First Nations Power Authority.

Chief Thomas is married to Dawne and father to Lindsay, Lana, Shayna and Joshua.

Dr. Ernest G. Walker

Chief Archaeologist and Wanuskewin’s Co-founder

Wanuskewin is unique because it represents the sacred relationship between a very special prairie landscape and Pre-Contact bison-hunting cultures over 6,000 years. The archaeological record at Wanuskewin is tangible evidence of this connection and the values these Indigenous peoples attached to this place. These values were not only economic, but social and spiritual as well.

The story of Wanuskewin is about the restoration of grasslands, the return of the bison, and the resurgence of Indigenous Plains culture. Our community came together to tell this story more than 40 years ago. However, this is not just a local story, or even a national one—it’s a story of international importance. This is the hope and promise of Wanuskewin.

Jenaya Chutskoff, CPA

Co-Executive Director

Jenaya is a mother to two young children who are a constant source of wonder and a reminder of her responsibility to act in service of all and for future generations. Jenaya is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has lead the finance and administration team at Wanuskewin since 2015. Jenaya has managed several administrative and capital projects and took on the lead management role of Wanuskewin’s UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination project in 2022.

Doug Hyndford C.C.C.

Co-Executive Director

Doug is a member of Peepeekisis Cree Nation near the Qu’Appelle Valley Saskatchewan. After completing a diploma at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Doug had worked as executive chef with SIGA at Gold Eagle Casino and Dakota Dunes Casino as well as Wanuskewin Heritage Park and Spirit Ridge Resort on Osoyoos Band territory. Doug has lead teams in Hotel and Conferences as well as chef for multiple Uranium exploration camps in Northern Saskatchewan. He completed his Certified Chef de Cuisine Designation in Calgary with SAIT.

Andrew McDonald

Co-Executive Director

Andrew has been with Wanuskewin as a team member since 2011, contributing to the growth and development of the park and igniting a passion for tourism within him along the way. In his time at Wanuskewin the park has reached several important milestones including multiple tourism/marketing awards from Tourism Saskatchewan, as well as the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. Andrew is a founding member of the Kichiota Indigenous Tourism Corridor, as well as a founding member of Indigenous Destinations Saskatchewan. Andrew & his wife Shanna are proud parents to Carson and Maddy & their pups Huxley and Farley.

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