Board of Directors

Stella Lavallee - President

Stella Lavallee serves as the elected President of the Willow Lake Métis Nation, currently in her third consecutive term. As a descendant of one of the historical Métis families, Stella is a traditional harvester and land user who maintains a deep connection to her community and its traditional territory. Since first being elected, Stella has been dedicated to advancing the interests of Willow Lake Citizens through strategic leadership, governance, and collaboration. Her tenure has been marked by a strong emphasis on building and maintaining productive relationships with Industry Partners, Government, and neighbouring Communities. Under her leadership, the Willow Lake Métis Nation continues to strengthen its governance capacity, pursue meaningful consultation and engagement processes, and create sustainable opportunities for future generations.

Jason McKenzie - Vice President

Jason McKenzie is the Vice President of the Willow Lake Métis Nation and a proud descendant of one of the Nation’s historical Métis families. Born and raised in Anzac, Jason is a devoted father and grandfather who maintains a strong connection to his community and traditional territory. A dedicated land steward, he is a trapline owner and an active traditional harvester, deeply committed to preserving Métis practices and the land for future generations.

Jason brings extensive experience in governance, having previously served on the Willow Lake Métis Nation Board as Vice President. Professionally, he has spent nearly 30 years working in the energy sector, where he has developed leadership, operational, and strategic expertise that he applies to supporting the Nation’s growth, governance, and community initiatives.

Jessica McKenzie  – Secretary

Jessica proudly serves as Secretary for the Willow Lake Métis Nation Board. With deep roots in the community, she descends from the two historical Métis families of Willow Lake. Jessica takes great pride in her heritage and is passionate about contributing to the Nation’s ongoing growth and success, making a positive difference for future generations.

Feather Bourque-Jenner – Director

Feather has lived in the community of Anzac/ Willow Lake her entire life and feels blessed to have been raised in such a beautiful community, having been given the opportunity to learn more about the culture and traditions. Feather has been on this board for over 5 years and has seen the organization grow over the years. She is very humbled and honored to be a representative of the historic and contemporary Métis families of the Willow Lake Métis Nation.

Frances Whitford - Treasurer

Frances Whitford is a Metis artisan. Born and raised in Anzac and Willow Lake Metis Citizen, i was raised mainly by my grandparents who surrounded me in my Metis heritage, from living with the land practices and using materials harvested to create beautiful art pieces from various materials harvested on the land such as moose hide, various types of furs and fishscale being a few. I learned most of my beadwork craft from my grandmother Eva Mckenzie. Being raised by my grandparents I had the privilege of a life surrounded in the Metis culture. My grandmother a Metis artisan who would not only make for the family but also to sell in an effort to supplement the families income and my grandfather a trapper who would supply the furs and hides for her to be able to make items such as moccasins, jackets, mukluks etc. My brother Kyle Whitford has now stepped into their grandfather's shoes and is the trapper and the supplier for most of the materials that I use in my work. Through my efforts to preserve and tansfer traditional knowledge I created a small business called Beadwork & Bannock The work I do is truly a creation of love and legacy to my grandparents and my Metis Culture.