Who We Are
FOXY (Fostering Open eXpression among Youth) is a totally new way of talking with youth about sexual health, sexuality, and relationships. By putting the decision making back in their hands, no one is being told what to do, or what is right or wrong – everyone is being given the tools they need to make the best decisions for themselves.
FOXY uses arts such as traditional beading, theatre, digital storytelling, photography, and music to help young women and gender-diverse youth express their knowledge, opinions, and questions about health and love (and everything in between). With a strong focus on sexual health and empowered decision-making, young people across the North get to know themselves a little bit better and learn through the arts.
Since January 2012, FOXY has reached over 9,500 youth in more than 44 NWT, Nunavut, and Yukon communities through over 630 workshops, and 33 Peer Leader Retreats and Youth Events that have brought together more than 700 Northern and Indigenous young Peer Leaders trained in sexual and mental health education.
FOXY’s mission is to enhance the knowledge, health, and well-being of Northern and Indigenous youth
through the arts.
FOXY’s vision is that by 2028, FOXY is innovative, well-resourced, and adaptive to the needs of Youth in the North. FOXY/SMASH youth are resilient, informed, and striving for healthy connections with self, community, and the Land.
FOXY’s core values include:
- Youth-centered
- Strength-based, trauma-informed lens
- Northern-ness
- Rooted in Indigenous knowledge
- The Land
- Intergenerational Sharing
- Promotion of well-being
- 2SLGBTQIPA+ affirming
- Evidence-informed
- Strengthening relationships
- Culturally inclusive
- The Arts
- Empowered decision making
- Rights-based
FOXY has 4 main goals for 2023-28:
- Expand multi-stakeholder engagement and awareness.
- Build capacity for organizational stability.
- Expand within and into Northern communities.
- Enhance programming to adapt and respond to identified needs and research.
For more information, check out our Community Reach and the Frequently Asked Questions.
Our Team
Candice Lys (SHE/HER), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Candice Lys grew up in a very large Métis family in Fort Smith, NWT and now resides in Yellowknife. She holds a PhD in Public Health Science from the University of Toronto, a MA in Health Promotion from Dalhousie University, and a BA Honors (with First Class Honors) in sociology from the University of Alberta. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a community-based sexual and mental health promotion expert and researcher. Candice is an Ashoka Canada Fellow and was named 2015 Northerner of the Year by Up Here magazine for her work with FOXY. She has earned the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) from the Governor General of Canada, a 2020 Indspire Award for Education, and a CIHR Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, among numerous other awards. She is a life partner to Remi, and mom to little humans Luca and Mira and a rambunctious beagle named Maple.
Jennifer Butler (She/Her), Director of Programs
Jennifer grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia before moving to Yellowknife in the summer of 2019. She graduated from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS with a degree in Criminology, with a double minor in Sociology and Psychology. She then went on to obtain a college diploma in Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health and Addictions counselling. Jennifer has been working with vulnerable populations across the lifespan for almost 10 years in various settings, including supportive and transitional housing, shelters, mobile outreach, group homes, vocational programs, and as a caseworker. Jennifer is excited to continue her new role with FOXY and has loved getting to work with young people again. Her hobbies include hiking, swimming, kayaking, camping, and spending time with her dog, Rosie.
Kiera BR (All Pronouns), Land-Based Program Coordinator
Kiera is a francophone Canadian who was born in northern Alberta and grew up in Hay River, Northwest Territories. Following a brief stint down south to complete their B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology, Kiera decided it was high time to head home to the North! Kiera now resides in Yellowknife working and traveling with us at FOXY and SMASH. Kiera loves working with FOXY and SMASH because it gives them the opportunity to use both creativity and theory as well as to connect with and empower youth all over the North. When not at work, Kiera is a serial hobbyist, an aspiring botanist (alas all her plants keep dying) and self-proclaimed nerd.
Cassi Atamanenko (They/Them/She/Her), Community Program Coordinator
Cassi is a queer, multidisciplinary artist who grew up in Yellowknife before moving to Edmonton in 2015 to attend the University of Alberta. They completed their B.A. with a major in Drama and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies in 2020, and has since worked in arts-based non-profits as a youth support worker. Cassi is thrilled to be moving back up north and to be working with FOXY, as she is incredibly passionate about education surrounding sexuality and gender identity, as well as both sexual and mental health!
Jessie Shaw (She/Her), Special Initiatives Program Coordinator
Jessie is a Northern Transplant originating from rural Nova Scotia. Jessie worked for FOXY as an Peer Facilitator from 2012-2016 before leaving the North for 5 years to pursue further education. Jessie is a trained Massage Therapist, first year Industrial Mechanic, and most recently has worked as an educator in Yellowknife. Jessie has a passion for sexual health and healthy relationships, and is enthusiastic about sharing her passion with youth across the North! When Jessie isn’t working and traveling with FOXY, you can find her playing pool with her league team or hanging out with her babies (3 fur and 1 skin).
Alex Banksland (She/They), Program Facilitator
Alex is a queer, Inuk artist who grew up in Ulukhaktok, NT and now living in Toronto, ON. On her downtime she is focused on learning new art forms, keeping her plants… alive and learning about her culture. They have studied Baking and Pastry Arts at SAIT and Early childhood Education at George Brown College, before finishing they decided to dive into arts! She is currently working on a Inuit inspired children’s Illustration books, while continuing to work alongside FOXY/SMASH. Alex continues to work with FOXY because she finds it healing to see how much growth and empowerment each retreat brings to every participant, and to see all of the knowledge that’s is taken home. “I’ve never gotten to work with such a great team and continue to meet wonderful people.”
Pyper Rehm (She/Her/They/Them), Program Facilitator
Pyper is a Métis person from Fort Smith, NT now living in Yellowknife, NT. She is currently a student at UBC Okanagan for their Bachelor of Arts degree. When Pyper isn’t working, she spends a lot of time with her family while making and eating amazing food. Pyper loves working for FOXY & SMASH because it helps people learn about their own bodies and how to know when their bodies are telling them what they need. Pyper loves when the participants reach out to say how meaningful their FOXY/SMASH experience was for them. Fun Fact: Pyper has been a FOXY school workshop participant, a FOXY Peer Leader Retreat Participant, and a PEER Facilitator before becoming a Program Facilitator!
Treiva Plamondon (She/Her), Program Facilitator
Hello, my name is Treiva Plamondon. My pronouns are she/her. I was born and raised in Hay River, NT. I consider myself a traveler, finding my joy in meeting new people and experiencing the things the World has to offer. I thank FOXY for giving me the foundation for being bold and finding what makes me happy.In 2013 I attended the first ever FOXY Retreat. The whole experience was life changing for me. I remember the realization I had at just 14 years old how uneducated we all were. Sexual health and wellness was not something many teachers are keen to talk about. Thankfully FOXY is a very comfortable and inclusive space to learn. Even though sexual health is their main goal FOXY also helps youth understand relationships and wellness.
Amanda Kanbari (She/Her), Program Facilitator
Amanda was born in British Columbia and moved to Yellowknife after completing a B.A. with Distinction in Criminal Justice. She is an advocate for self-propelled travel and prefers to get around by canoe or bicycle. Amanda once cycled the Pacific Coast from Vancouver, B.C. to Tijuana, Mexico! She has created several youth-focused programs that encourage young people to address inequality and to pursue healthy relationships with the land, with others, and with themselves.
Ziggy Allerton (They/Them), Peer Facilitator (FOXY & SMASH)
Ziggy is an Inuk who grew up in Edmonton, AB; Wolfville, NS; and Iqaluit, NU. They currently live in Iqaluit. Ziggy loves figure skating, photography and filmmaking. They also love to hunt, harvest, and fish! Ziggy enjoys travelling and socializing! Ziggi would like to become an airline pilot who also competes in figure skating competitions! Ziggy wanted to work for FOXY and SMASH because they wanted to help other youth. After their experience in the Call of the North: FOXY & SMASH Leadership Summit, as well as their time at the SMASH Peer Leader Retreat, they knew this was an experience they could share with others. They love that youth from every Territory in Canada have the chance to learn about Mental/Sexual health through Peer Leader Retreats and Workshops!
Shayla Moore (SHE/HER), PEER FACILITATOR
Coming Soon!
Lana Sanders (SHE/HEr), PEER FACILITATOR
Coming Soon!
Savannah Elias-Beaulieu, PEER Facilitator
Savannah Elias-Beaulieu is a proud Inuvialuit/Cree individual from Inuvik, NWT. She likes working with FOXY because it gives her an opportunity to meet girls like her all over the North and to travel to places she’s never been before. Savannah says being involved with FOXY has boosted her confidence and she is thankful to have a chance to work with such a great team! Savannah is a former pageant queen and enjoys hanging out with her friends, visiting with family and going out on the land whenever possible!
Aubrey Slugget (SHE/HER), PEER FACILITATOR
Aubrey is Cree Métis young woman from Yellowknife, NT. She loves being outdoors and being with her two dogs. She also wants to be an OB/GYN when she’s older, so FOXY is an amazing fit for her. Aubrey loves working with FOXY because she gets to learn so much and gets to meet so many amazing new peoples. She started as a Peer Facilitator in November 2021. Aubrey has been to two Peer Leader Retreats so far.
Millie Strachan-Legere (SHE/HER), PEER FACILITATOR
Millie grew up and still resides in Yellowknife. She is bilingual (French/English) and her hobbies include writing, acting, and swimming. She hasn’t yet decided what she want to be when she is older, but becoming an author is one of her top choices. Millie works with FOXY because the community is “amazing”, and she loved every minute of the Peer Leader Retreats, especially making new friends!
Brooke Delorey (SHE/HER), PEER FACILITATOR
Brooke Delorey is Inuvialuit and Chinese and lives in Hay River, NT. She loves singing, philosophy, travelling, and socializing! She also really enjoys any form of self discovery and self expression. Though she has not decided what career path she wants to pursue yet, she is focusing more on the kind of person she wants to become and the difference she wants to make in the world. Brooke chose to work with FOXY because it’s a wonderful opportunity to use her voice to help people learn and grow. It also gives her a chance to see the world from different perspectives.
Samuel Kodakin-Scott (Pronouns), Program Facilitator
Coming Soon!
Amber Adjun (pronouns), Program Facilitator
Coming Soon!
Marlin Miersch-King (he/him), Program Facilitator
My name is Marlin Miersch-King, son to Bradley King and Brandie Miersch. I have one sibling and her name is Mandie. I am a born and raised in Fort Resolution NT and I am 15 years old. My hobbies are hunting, trapping, being out on the land, skidooing, dirt biking, playing guitar and working on things with my dad or other friends that enjoy the same thing. I am currently in grade 10 at Deninu School. After high school graduation, I would like to enter into mechanics and get my red seal, as I would like to own my own trucking company one day with my dad. Other than my hobbies I try my best in school, sports, and as an employee at the local First Nations DKDC store. I have participated in the dene games and hand games as I enjoy them best. When I am not occupied by hobbies I spend a lot of time with my grand parents, parents, and my aunts and uncles as I believe in strong family values.