We Are Métis
Our Board and Team
Métis Crossing Team and Board Members
Our Board of Directors provides the vision, oversight and governance that lead Métis Crossing to success. We are thankful for their commitment to make Métis Crossing Alberta's premier cultural destination.
Our Board
Audrey Poitras, Chairperson
Former Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) President, Audrey Poitras is one of the highest profile Métis women in Canada. Audrey was elected as the first female President in 1996, becoming the longest-serving President of the MNA.
One of Audrey’s greatest achievements, in the preservation of Métis culture, history and language was the creation of Métis Crossing proving to be not only a smart business choice, but one that will remain for a long time to come.
Under her leadership, the MNA became a model of success in representing and pursuing the social, political, and economic interests of the Métis people in Alberta.
Andrea Sandmaier,
Vice Chairperson
Andrea Sandmaier is a proud Métis woman, wife, and mother of three boys. She is from Cold Lake, but her ancestral roots originate from the Red River settlement, and she has ties to Batoche, Duck Lake, and St. Paul de Métis.
After the history-making first General Election in September 2023 of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, President Sandmaier was elected with a sweeping mandate, based on building from the successes of the past, while moving the Métis Nation forward towards recognized self-government and self-determination. President Sandmaier is deeply committed to honouring the history and culture of the Métis people while forging a path towards a progressive and inclusive future.
In keeping with her commitment to Métis citizens in Alberta, President Sandmaier is a focused advocate and leader, working steadfastly to advance the rights and interests of the Métis people, ensuring meaningful representation in critical policy discussions, and fostering economic growth and development within Métis communities.
Andrew Popko, Director
Andy has been an active member of many boards including the Aboriginal Human Resource Council of Canada and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. Andy is an Honorary Chief for Heart Lake First Nation and was also presented a Life Time Achievement Award for outstanding work in providing pioneering innovative capacity building programs from the Tribal Chiefs Institute of Treaty 8. This was the first time this award was presented to a non-Aboriginal person. In addition to a keen focus on economic development, he has also been an active volunteer with Dreams Take Flight.
Andy has previously served as VP of Aboriginal Affairs with Enbridge Pipelines and with EnCana in numerous roles including Investor Relations, Public Affairs and Government Relations. For the last 8 years of his tenure with EnCana, Andy was the Vice President, Aboriginal Relations. Since 2013 Andy has served as Vice President of NCSG Crane and Heavy Haul.
Arthur Cunningham, Knowledge Holder and Director
Art is the Métis Crossing Knowledge Holder and a Board Director. He is a key influence in guiding both the cultural and the corporate development of this organization. He brings decades of experience in developing, implementing, and providing advice and mentorship on corporate policy and principles on aboriginal and tribal relations. Art also provided advice in the development of internal corporate capacity in the areas of traditional knowledge, business, and employment to support positive aboriginal and tribal relations.
Mr. Cunningham is one of the founding directors of Circle for Aboriginal Relations (CFAR) and currently sits as a CFAR advisor. He was also past-president of Alberta’s Interprovincial Association on Native Employment and national vice-president. He received the Chief David Crowchild Award in 1997 for creating bridges of understanding between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people. He was also recognized by the International Rotary Foundations when they awarded him the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for contributions to the community. In 2005, he received the Alberta Centennial Award for outstanding service to the people and the province of Alberta.
Grant Lacombe, Métis Crossing Board Member
Grant Lacombe was raised in St. Paul de Métis and has always been involved with the Métis culture, travelling to places like Athabasca and Lac La Biche in the early seventies with his parents Norman and Myrtle Lacombe and his four brothers and two sisters for the yearly Assembly’s. Hunting and fishing were a prominent activity on weekends with his uncles and aunties, hunting ducks and geese at 3-mile lake near St. Paul; what great memories they were. Hunting, fishing and gathering are still part of his life and he likes teaching young hunters the proper ways to hunt, to always have respect for the animals and the environment.
Currently living in Canyon Creek (near Slave Lake) he is proud to be the Citizens’ Representative for the District 21, Lesser Slave Lake Métis and the Secretary for Culture and Harvesting for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
Grant worked in the Oil Patch for 35 years in different capacities, owned his own Oilfield business and also worked at Northern Lakes College in Slave Lake before being elected.
Along with his wife, Tammy, of 25 years they have three wonderful kids Lisa (Andrew), Garrett and Hunter and three grand children, Bruce, Olivia, and Owen who keep him busy and in shape.
Our Team
Juanita Marois, CEO
Juanita Marois is a mother of 4 children, a wife, a sister and an auntie. She is a proud citizen of Alberta’s Métis Nation, and considers herself privileged to lead Métis Crossing.
Juanita earned her MA degree in sustainable tourism development from the University of Alberta where she continued as a lecturer for 2 years in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation.
Juanita has worked in the tourism industry for over 20 years with diverse organizations such as Northlands Park and Princess Tours. Her experience has expanded from a front-line practitioner, to a planner, researcher and consultant. Her journey has provided unique opportunities to participate in socio-economic development, Indigenous tourism, and community investment projects that feed her collaborative approach to Métis Crossing.
Juanita also contributes as a board member to Travel Alberta, Smoky Lake Tourism Company and the Alberta Métis Investment Corporation.
Lilyrose Meyers, Knowledge Holder
Lilyrose is a kokum that is very proud of her Métis heritage. Her life has been enriched with experiences of life on a trapline, farming, horse trainer, truck driver, equipment operator, boiler room assistant, gas bar manager and transportation and supervision for family services.
Lilyrose is a long time Métis artisan, doll maker, fiber artist, nester, baker, teacher, thrift store shopper, and lover of giving old things a new purpose.
She has resided in Buffalo Lake Métis settlement for 41 years. Born and raised on a traditional Métis farm north of High Prairie Alberta, she learned to snare rabbits, ride horses, and live off the land.
Today Lilyrose is the Knowledge Keeper and Teacher at Métis Crossing.
