National Youth Advisory Circle

Through the National Youth Advisory Circle, The Howl Experience is engaging Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Howl’s decision making processes and leadership, creating an additional level of accountability to ensure we are moving towards achieving our goals of bringing reconciliation to life through our programming and organizational structure, in a good way.

Beginning in April 2025, Howl’s inaugural National Youth Advisory Circle collaborated with Howl staff to create a framework for youth engagement in the co-design & delivery of Howl’s land and community-based programs. Circle members also help lead the design & facilitation of an annual in-person, national youth conference in the Rockies.

Our 2026-2027 National Youth Advisory Circle Members

  • Jodi Allard (she/her) is Red River Métis with family roots in the historic Métis community of St. Laurent, Manitoba. She was raised and lives on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation (Ottawa). Jodi holds a degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa and brings her curiosity for nature, exploration, and hands-on learning into everything she does.

    Jodi has built her career in the federal public service, working across multiple departments including Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), and now Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) with a focus on Indigenous relations, health, treaties and self-government, and natural resources. She currently works as an Engagement Advisor in NRCan’s Indigenous Partnership Office, where she helps foster meaningful engagement and collaboration between Indigenous communities and government bodies.

    Outside of work, Jodi is passionate about land-based learning and creating opportunities for youth to connect with the land. She has participated in HOWL exploration programs in the Yukon and Rockies and attended the Indigenous Youth Employability Gathering with The Co-operators.

  • Heidi Damayo is a multidisciplinary theatre artist and proud Filipina-Canadian prairie girl, born and raised in Mohkintsis, in Treaty 7 territory. She holds a BFA with Honors in Acting and a Master of Management from the University of British Columbia, where she was appointed a Wesbrook Scholar, and a recipient of the HSBC Undergraduate Award and Stephen Woodhouse Memorial Prize. She has played at major theatres across Western Canada and some of her favourite roles include Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire at Theatre Calgary and The Citadel, and Hermia/Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bard on the Beach. As a playwright, she is currently working on Angels Unawares: a commission from Nightswimming Theatre for their 5x25 Initiative.

    Her work often focuses on the relationship between our souls/psyches and the land we are on. She has a great love and respect for storytelling across cultures, and believes it is everyone’s responsibility to understand and amplify Indigenous voices and values here on Turtle Island. She is honoured to be part of the inaugural Youth Advisory Circle and hopes to use this opportunity to sharpen her own two-eyed seeing as she helps other youth develop theirs.

  • Heidi (she/her) was born and raised in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. Heidi wears many hats with a constant being her passion for working with youth populations in outdoor education and recreation. Her work over the past 9 years has taken her across Turtle Island; from leading multi-day canoe trips in Northern Ontario & Manitoba to coaching xc skiing in Tsuut’ina and Mînî Thnî to running logistics for backpacking programs in the Rockies. Heidi’s passion for working with youth comes from her experiences as a youth finding belonging at summer camps, and it is her greatest joy to hold space for youth to create connections and memories out on the land.

    Heidi brings curiosity to every connection and continues to grow her knowledge surrounding reconciliation, food sovereignty and creating inclusive spaces for all to thrive. In her free time, you can find Heidi outdoors with friends and family, volunteering with youth serving organizations, plotting her next garden idea, writing and performing poetry and learning improv. Heidi is excited to join the Howl Youth Advisory Circle to support more youth in accessing meaningful experiential learning through land-based programs and looks forward to the learning, leadership and growth that being a part of the Youth Advisory Circle will bring.

  • Riley (she/her) grew up in Whitehorse Yukon, on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council, and spent 2 years in Calgary on Treaty 7 land for post secondary education. She has returned home and now runs her own hairstyling business, and works in youth recreation. 

    Growing up hiking, biking, and paddling in the summer, and skiing in the winter were the highlights of childhood; she is passionate about helping other youth also have experiences out on the land, especially in hiking and spending time on the water. 

    She attended Howl’s Reciprocity and Resources program in the Rockies in March of 2025 and has now joined the National Youth Advisory Circle because of how impactful the program was. Riley hopes to experience more Howl programs through the Youth Advisory Circle, and by helping plan Banff 140, support others to have the experience she had in the Rockies.

  • Jessica Fairweather (She/Her) carries the traditional Haida name “Jaadsgwaan” meaning “First Woman”. A name passed down through the matrilineal line of first-born females of the clan Naikun Qiigawaay. Originating on the Northernmost tip of Haida Gwaii.  Her connection to her culture holds a great importance to her. The teachings she has taken on from a young age have led her to have great passion for helping others in her community and outwards.


    She maintains great pride in carrying herself with Yahguudang (Respect). Respect For yourself, for others & for everything around. This is one of the main Haida laws & guiding principles amongst her people. Yahguudang has been deeply woven into her values for as long as she can remember. A strong passion to help in her community led her to the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition where she graduated with the title of “Registered Holistic Nutritionist”. This further strengthened her belief of the importance of the Body-Mind-Spirit connection and provided a foundation of knowledge to share with her community.

    These teachings mixed with the passion she carries for her culture has led her to work at the Xaaynangaa Naay – Skidegate Health Center. With the Title of “Elder Wellness Coordinator”. This role includes creating and facilitating activity programs for elders in her community. Incorporating physical activity, social engagement and healthy habits. This role is a great honor to her as the elders within her community are held in the highest esteem. She feels great gratitude to work and learn from each of them.

    Jessica’s connection with Howl Began in 2022 at a time when she was deeply struggling with the recent loss of her mother and childhood pets. Her first Howl Experience cast a new light on her path in a way that she could never have imagined. This created a great appreciation for the organization and everyone involved, and she feels an abundant amount of gratitude to now be on the National Youth Advisory Council.

  • Nyssa (she/her) was raised in Revelstoke BC on Sinitx, Secwépemc, Ktunaxa, and Syilx land, following her family’s move from Australia to Canada. She is currently studying Climate Science at the University of Victoria, where she enjoys biking and ocean dips when she’s not in the library. In the summer, Nyssa works as a wildland firefighter for the BC Wildfire Service, where she has gained a unique perspective on the impacts of climate change in our communities. While in high school, she became passionate about climate action, and was engaged in leading initiatives with her school’s environmental action team. This experience, along with participating in Howl’s Rockies Exploration and Changing Seasons Semester, inspired her current studies. Through the National Youth Advisory Circle, Nyssa is excited to be a part of creating opportunities for youth to connect with their communities and environment. When she isn’t working or studying, Nyssa can be found in the mountains skiing, running, or stopped trailside for a snack break.

  • McKenzie is a proud member of Beaver Lake Cree Nation, located within Treaty 6 Territory. From a young age, McKenzie developed a deep connection to the land through hunting and harvesting traditional medicines, guided by the teachings of ancestors and the natural world.

    A recent graduate of an Environmental Monitoring Technician program, McKenzie combines traditional ecological knowledge with modern environmental practices to protect and preserve the land for future generations. Passionate about sharing plant knowledge, McKenzie is dedicated to passing on cultural teachings and land-based skills to youth and community members.

    Through both professional work and community involvement, McKenzie stands as a bridge between traditional wisdom and contemporary environmental stewardship.