Meet the Team

Camille Louis, Aboriginal Liaison Specialist

Camille Louis is from Montana First Nation in Maskwacîs. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design, she worked in various roles with Indigenous people, as well as supervised intercultural youth programs overseas. Camille enjoys staying connected to her Cree culture and practicing Nehiyawewin (the Cree language).

Camille has received 2 Shine Awards at NAIT: the Excellence in Extraordinary Times award in 2021 for her work with the Nîsôhkamâtotân team during the height of the pandemic, and the Shine Award for Team Collaboration in 2023 for her work with NAIT’s Building Intercultural Competence course.

Since joining the Nîsôhkamâtotân Centre in 2014, Camille’s role has expanded to include the development and facilitation of courses and workshops that focus on Aboriginal awareness. Camille is also a trained facilitator for KAIROS Canada’s Blanket Exercise.

Sharyn Cree, Aboriginal Liaison Specialist

Sharyn Cree is from Fort McMurray #468 First Nation. Sharyn's academic journey led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, graduating with distinction from MacEwan University.

Sharyn understands the importance of maintaining a strong cultural identity.  Since she joined NAIT in 2022, the Nîsôhkamâtotân Centre has provided her with the opportunity to not only stay connected with her roots but help others do the same. This role has allowed her to channel her lived experience into meaningful guidance for students seeking post-secondary education.

Verna Orr, Elder and Cultural Advisor

As a child, Verna spent her summers outside, camping and hunting with her parents. It was those summers in Bigstone Cree Nation, Alberta, a place she still calls home, where she learned the traditional practice of tanning hides. Under the guidance of her mother and grandmother – who could start and finish a moose hide in one day – Verna mastered the skill in four days. Now a grandmother herself, Verna is passing on the same teachings to her grandchildren. But it’s not only relatives who benefit from Verna’s wisdom because she also shares her knowledge in instructional videos filmed in Wabasca, Alberta.

Verna has served as an Elder and Cultural Advisor at NAIT since September 2016. In her role, she’s dedicated to sharing her cultural knowledge with students, leading women’s circles and providing lessons on beading and cutting patterns for moccasins. Verna’s pride for her culture and its traditions is something she hopes will inspire students and lead to stronger connections within NAIT’s Aboriginal community.

Lonny Potts, Cultural Advisor

Lonny Potts brings a breadth of lived and cultural knowledge to help guide students as they learn and navigate through their post-secondary experiences. Lonny  is a drummer and singer from Paul First Nation in Wabamun, Alberta. For decades, he’s worked with Elders to learn Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, becoming an Elder’s helper traditional ceremonies. He studied Native Studies at the University of Alberta and worked for several years as a liaison officer in Edmonton’s Remand Centre. Previously, he worked as Indigenous Cultural Helper supporting mental health at the Rotary House, and Knowledge Keeper at Alberta Health Services.

Lonny joined NAIT as cultural advisor in September 2023. In his role, he leads men’s circles, sharing Indigenous protocol and tradition. He is also available to connect NAIT students and share his cultural knowledge to provide them with guidance and mentorship.