Our Team

Image of Elder Jane Dragon laughing and looking to the side in front of a wooded background.

Jane “Setsuné” Dragon
(she/her)
Resident elder

Mrs. Jane Dragon C.M., O.N.W.T.,  is the resident Elder for FOXY & SMASH and is a pillar in her community. Mrs. Jane Dragon is a member of the Order of the Northwest Territories and the Order of Canada for her contributions to education and the North. Lovingly referred to as “Setsuné,” she is renowned and beloved throughout the North for maintaining and sharing traditional knowledge and skills with the next generation, notably for her expertise in garment creation. For decades, she has been devoted to social causes, Indigenous cultural activism, and creating resources for students and youth. For this, she has earned the Queen’s Jubilee Silver, Gold, and Diamond medals for her community service and stewardship of the traditional Aboriginal way of life. Mrs. Jane Dragon is Chipewyan and has lived in Fort Smith most of her life. 

Image of Executive Director Candice Lys leaned against a wall wearing a purple FOXY hoodie and holding a green coffee mug.

Candice Lys
(she/her)
Executive Director

Candice Lys grew up in Fort Smith in a very large Métis family, and has lived all over the world, including a brief stint on a ship in the Pacific Ocean. Candice has a Masters degree in Health Promotion and holds a PhD in Public Health. She is an Ashoka Canada Fellow, a mom to Luca & Mira, dog mom to Maple, and an avid almost-gardener.

Image of Cassi standing in front of a grey photography background.

Cassi Atamanenko (they/she)
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! 

Headshot of Jessie making a silly surprised face.

Jessie Shaw
(She/her/they)
Program Coordinator

This is Jessie! Jessie originated in Nova Scotia, circa 1995. She moved to Yellowknife in 2006 with her family, and has only briefly left to Alberta to pursue further education after high school. She has a passion for sexual and mental health, and healthy relationships, and was one of our first ever Peer Facilitators back in the day! After a stint of just under a decade, Jessie has rejoined the FOXY team as one of our Program Coordinators and is excited to get back into the FOXY swing of things! When she’s not working, you can find her hanging out with her family, or practicing funny faces in the mirror. 

Image of Kiera in a green smash hoodie standing in front of a sunset and trees.

Kiera BR
(They/them)
Program Coordinator

Kiera is a francophone Canadian who was born in northern Alberta and grew up in Hay River, Northwest Territories. It was Kiera’s experience as a participant and Peer Facilitator that led them to pursue a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology. In their spare time, Kiera enjoys all kinds of creative pursuits including fiber arts, digital art, and ceramics. Kiera draws upon their experience in the arts when creating innovative art-based lesson plans. Kiera has been working as a Program Coordinator since 2021 and loves the opportunity to use creativity to connect with and empower youth all over the North. 

KEN Mackay
Bio coming soon!
Retreat Facilitator

Up close headshot of Alexandria Banksland.

Alexandria Banksland (She/They)
Facilitator

Alexandria is an Inuk women, born and raised in the Northwest Territory. The majority of her life was spent in Ulukhaktok. She has been involved with FOXY since 2017! She has traveled across Canada’s southern regions for her education and all across the North to bring awareness to mental and sexual health for our youth! They spend their time deep-diving into traditional art forms and creating their own unique pieces. Alexandria’s most recent project gave youth across the arctic the opportunity to reconnect with their roots and to create their own traditional jewelry.

Close up headshot of Nys with a grey background.

Nys Sanders
(She/They)
Facilitator

Nys was born and raised in Yellowknife, NT and has been working for FOXY since 2020. They graduated from École Sir John Franklin High School in 2023. Once finished with High School they moved to Edmonton AB to further their education. Nys is a proud bilingual, speaking both English and French. They are passionate about the arts and human rights, and often look for ways to incorporate the two into their daily life. This is one of the reasons they love FOXY and SMASH!

Photo of Amber Adjun outside wearing a winter coat and sunglasses.

Amber Adjun
(she/her)
Peer Facilitator

I have been a FOXY Peer leader since 2016 and love being a part of this amazing team! I recently moved to Cambridge Bay, NU for the Office Administration Certificate course. I enjoy baking, sewing, and spending time with friends and family.

Headshot of Ava sitting in a booth with brightly coloured flags and lights suspended above.

Ava Nystrom 
(SHE/HER)
Peer Facilitator

My name is Ava, I’m from Yellowknife NWT and my first retreat was in 2021. In my spare time I dance at my studio BDA and I am in my final year of high school. I want to work with FOXY to help youth around the North learn about FOXY and the purpose of the program and hoping they take many things away from the Retreats and workshops.

Billy Goose Headshot

Billy Goose
(He/him)
Peer Facilitator

I am Inuvialuk from Ulukhaktok, NWT which also resides in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. I graduated from Helen Kalvak Elihakvik School in 2023 and am currently working as a Supervisor at the Arctic Fox Youth Centre and Gym running evening programs for the youth and children of Ulukhaktok. I am also a Peer Facilitator with FOXY/SMASH. I love, appreciate and respect my Inuvialuit Culture. I learn from our Elders and knowledge holders of our Inuvialuit culture and practices.

Image of Ileigh looking over her shoulder to the right with a city scape in the background.

Ileigh Rehm
(She/her)
Peer Facilitator

Ileigh is originally from Fort Smith but has lived in Yellowknife since 2020.  She has many hobbies including playing the guitar, reading and many other things. Ileigh is Cree Métis, she has always been very passionate about her culture and would love to get more involved in it. Ileigh enjoys working for FOXY because of the community and because she loves meeting new people.
Headshot of Jas Conde standing in front of a blank wall.

Jas Conde
(ANY PRONOUNS)
Peer Facilitator

Jas is a Filipino who lives in Yellowknife, NWT. She’s always eager to learn new things and teach others, which is a big reason why she joined FOXY! When she isn’t reading or studying, Jas is usually making crafts or writing stories. Jas loves traveling around the North and meeting new people.  She also loves volunteering at the theatre and around the community.

Headshot of Lucas with a cloudy sky in the back ground.

Lucas Kitekudlak
(He/him)
Peer Facilitator

My name is Lucas Kitekudlak I live in Ulukhaktok, NT and my pronouns are he/him.

Headshot of Lydia standing in front of a rocky sunset.

Lydia Angidlik
(She/her)
Peer Facilitator

Lydia is an Inuk from the community of Baker Lake, Nunavut. She lived there for most of her life. She is currently in high school at the Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School. She loves travelling to new places and learning new things about different cultures. Lydia works with FOXY because she loves to help with the workshops and learn new things about mental health, sexual health and healthy relationships.
Headshot of Millie wearing a striped and collared shirt standing in front of a blank wall.

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!

Headshot of Rick Aningaat

Rick Aningaat
(He/him)
Peer Facilitator

Close up of Samuel standing in front of a wooded background with his arms crossed.

Samuel Kodakin-scott
(he/him)
Peer Facilitator

Samuel is a First Nations Dene who is from Deline, NT and grew up in Fort Smith, NT. He loves learning more & more about his culture and hopes that one day he will be able to pass down his knowledge to younger generations and share his personal life experiences along the way. Samuel loves working with SMASH because it helps him acquire new skills and allows him to help guide others in search of new found knowledge just as he is.

Headshot of Thomas in front of a kitchen background wearing a white hoodie.

Thomas Roberts 
(He/Him)
Peer Facilitatator

Thomas lives in Yellowknife. He was born in Newfoundland and relocated to the NWT in 2009. Thomas enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and boating.  Thomas enjoys participating in soccer, hockey, and swimming. Thomas is interested in working at Foxy/Smash to develop Peer Facilitator and leadership skills and to help other youth do the same. 

Tthën Catholique
(She/her)
Peer Facilitator

Tthën is a Chipewyan/English High School Student attending École St. Patrick’s High School in Yellowknife, NT. Tthën is very active with her school extracurriculars such as LIFE group (St. Pat’s GSA), annual drama production, Jack Chapter, Book Club, and many school sports. She is very passionate about her heritage being an Indigenous woman and adores spending time on the land. Originally, Tthën is from the community of Łutsel K’e that resides on the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake, home to Thaidene Nëné National Park. Some of her passions include reading, poetry, spending time with family, getting to know new people and travelling!! Tthën knows she would like to attend University somewhere in B.C but as of right now, she doesn’t know which path to go on quite yet with her post-secondary. Tthën is very passionate about her work with FOXY as she feels like it’s such a great opportunity to be able to meet so many unique individuals across the North and being able to share teachings has been one of the greatest experiences she’s had. She also loves the annual FOXY Retreats and being surrounded by amazing new people and familiar faces alike!

Van Delorey
(Any pronouns)
Peer Facilitator

My name is Van Delorey, I live in Hay River NWT, I like writing and playing music, keeping insects, and woodworking. I had my first experience with FOXY and SMASH during the winter Retreat of 2024 and have loved working with them ever since. Right now, I’m working towards becoming a professional musician, and studying entomology (study of insects).

Headshot of Wyatt wearing a black ball cap and black shirt with the word SMASH printed. He is standing in front of a tweed background.

Wyatt Sluggett 
(He/Him)
Peer FacilitatATOR

Wyatt Sluggett is a Peer Facilitator with FOXY and SMASH Program from Yellowknife, NT. He attended his first Retreat in April of 2023. At the conclusion of the Retreat, he completed his Community Project by baking bannock for his local homeless shelter. Fun fact, Wyatt is not the first Peer Facilitator in his family! Aubrey his older sister was once a PF with the program as well.