My name is Michelle Soto. My Cree name is Red Yellow Eagle Woman. My Indigenous background; my paternal family is Woodland Cree and my maternal community is from Dene Tha First Nation. I am from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Alberta. At the young age of 4 years old; my paternal, Evelyn Soto, grandmother became my first mentor. My grandmother was a ceremony/pipe holder; I was raised to attend ceremonies, learn traditional Indigenous land-based knowledge, ceremony protocol, and traditional arts. Both my parents are residential school survivors. I am a holder of three art grants from Alberta Council for the Arts and Calgary Arts Development Council. My educational background is in recreation, social work, childcare, Indigenous culture, and high risk child/youth programming.
A born Edmontonian now living in Calgary with her four rescue bunnies, human partner and their tiny human, Megan’s heart is here on the peaks and prairies of Alberta. Her career in health promotion over the past two decades has been focused on training, leadership development, capacity building, and fostering relationships focused on enhancing population health. As Manager, Workplace Training & Programs Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Alberta Division, Megan brings her passion for supporting others in enhancing the Psychological Health & Safety in the workplace to life through collaboration, and development, delivery, and ongoing evaluation of our evidence-based programs and trainings. Mental Health advocacy and playing outside is Megan’s life work.