Cleo Matthews - Youth Director

Cleo has Dënësųłinë́, Ukrainian and Guyanese heritage. She is a registered member of the Lutselk'e First Nation. She uses her diverse background to relate and connect with others. As a result of settler colonialism, her family continues to reconnect to their culture. She looks up to her Dënësųłinë́ family members for guidance on her journey, ones who are Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers. Her grandmother was a survivor of residential schools. She was passionate about the power of education and how that can never be taken away.

Cleo works to pursue her education as a way to live by her grandmother's words. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a minor in biology. She aspires to be a practising Psychologist in Alberta. She has a strong interest in trauma and behavioural psychology. She hopes these interests can benefit her Indigenous community. Throughout her degree, she has volunteered at other organizations, such as Peer - support at her University and the Distress Line with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

She has been on the ICAA board for three years and recently got nominated to be on the CAP National Youth Council. She hopes to use this position to make a difference nationally. In addition to her board work, she is currently employed at a non-profit organization that provides post-secondary funding to Indigenous peoples. This part of her journey is dedicated to working daily to support and enhance the livelihoods of her community.