Speaker Name: Lydia Courteoreille
Session Description:
“This presentation shares the personal and professional journey of Lydia Courteoreille, a proud Mikisew Cree First Nation woman whose life has been shaped by cultural grounding, corporate leadership, and a profound commitment to healing. Originally from Fort Chipewyan and raised between the North and Calgary, Lydia grew up surrounded by ceremony, Pow Wow dancing, and strong community ties—teachings that stayed with her as she entered adulthood.
At 17, she returned to Fort McMurray, completed high school, became a young mother, and quickly stepped into what became a more than 30‑year career in the oil sands. As a First Nation woman in corporate spaces, Lydia held senior roles with global energy companies, including operations management, safety leadership, and management systems. She also operated some of the world’s largest mining equipment while earning a university diploma in occupational health and safety through night school, demonstrating her determination and perseverance.
Lydia’s later election to Chief and Council for the Mikisew Cree First Nation marked a pivotal turning point. Her time in leadership brought her back to the land, to community wellness initiatives, and ultimately to her own healing journey. Confronting personal struggles with addiction—intensified during the pandemic—Lydia chose sobriety, grounding herself in spirituality, ceremony, and a commitment to living one day at a time. Nearly five years sober, she continues to center her life on wellness, cultural identity, and meaningful connection.
Today, Lydia dedicates her time to family, community, and ongoing inner work. She also contributes her experience and voice at a national level through service on a national board. Her story reflects resilience, cultural strength, and the transformative power of healing—offering inspiration to those navigating their own paths of change and leadership.”
Learning Objectives:
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the personal and professional journey of a First Nation woman navigating corporate environments while staying grounded in culture, identity, and community connection.
2. Explore how leadership roles, community service, and land‑based practices can support healing, self‑awareness, and long‑term wellness.
3. Recognize the importance of spirituality, ceremony, and daily intentional practices in maintaining sobriety and fostering resilience.
4. Identify strategies for balancing corporate responsibilities, cultural values, family commitments, and personal healing in high‑pressure environments.
BIO
Lydia Courteoreille is a proud member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, originally from Fort Chipewyan in northeastern Alberta. Raised between the North and Calgary, she remained deeply connected to her culture through Pow Wow dancing, ceremony, and community. Returning to Fort McMurray at 17, she graduated high school, became a young mother, and began a more than 30‑year career in the oil sands. Lydia held roles with major global energy companies, including operations manager, safety manager, and management systems specialist, and operated some of the world’s largest mining equipment while completing a university diploma in occupational health and safety through night school.