Shianne McKay Appointed Co-Executive Director

October 16, 2025

Leadership Expansion at Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources

Effective immediately: The Board of Directors of the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) is pleased to announce the promotion of Shianne McKay to Co-Executive Director to work alongside the other Co-Executive Director, Merrell-Ann Phare.

“Shianne‘s vast experience in the environmental conservation sciences field working directly with First Nation communities and her dedication and commitment to CIER’s mission created an easy choice for the Board, and a natural fit as Co-Executive Director for CIER’s future sustainability,” says Roger Augustine, CIER Chair.

Shianne is from Minegoziibe Anishinaabe (Pine Creek First Nation), Treaty 2 & 4 in Manitoba and has been with CIER since 2009 taking on progressively complex and strategic roles in project management and executive leadership. In this newly created collaborative role, she will lead external advocacy, public representation, partnerships. Shianne will help ensure CIER continues to grow, serving Indigenous communities across Canada and the environmental challenges they face.

“As a third-generation residential school survivor and someone who chooses to walk this red road grounded in culture and teachings from my ancestors and family, I am honoured to share, learn and grow as a leader within CIER and share knowledge and stories of CIER’s legacy with you all. I look forward to building relationships. Miigwetch (Thank you),” says Shianne McKay, Executive Co-Director.

Merrell-Ann Phare, working alongside Shianne, is now the Co-Executive Director focussing on strategic direction, organizational sustainability and operational oversight. “CIER is innovating again, trying to demonstrate our mission of collaboration and partnership, this time at the executive level in the organisation.”

Managerial restructuring will strengthen the organization’s leadership resilience, enhance its public presence, and create more opportunities for internal growth that will help ensure the long-term stability of CIER’s mission set 30 years ago by eight Chiefs from across Canada. This transition is part of a phased, thoughtful process grounded in relational governance and collective leadership, and we look forward to seeing this new leadership model in action. In the meantime, we remain deeply committed to advancing Indigenous-led, environmental solutions across Canada and beyond.

CIER is a national Indigenous-created and directed charitable organization that embraces diversity and collaboration for capacity building with Indigenous Nations. It strengthens and supports sustainable communities and a healthy environment. As a virtual organization, CIER is comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff located across Canada.

For more information: Ken McIntyre, Communication Director: kmcintyre@yourcier.org  / 204-956-0660 Ext 2.

CIER supports Indigenous people and communities to be leaders of positive environmental change, using the best of Western and Indigenous knowledge to create a world that is in balance and supports the well-being of all living things.

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