Viktoriya Tkacheva

Viktoriya is currently finishing up her postgraduate certificate in corporate communications at Sheridan College. Prior to that, her background focused on advertising and digital media communications. She holds a BA from Humber College in creative advertising and also completed a strategy boot camp at Miami Ad School.

Viktoriya Tkacheva is passionate about the world of storytelling and political advocacy. She served as a student representative with the Canadian Public Relations Society, and supported the communications and social media work for the Feed the Future Initiative. She also has a range of experience in social media planning and campaigns for a variety of corporate and industry clients.

Valerie Ooshag

Valerie Ooshag is from Eabametoong First Nation, currently residing in Ottawa to study Indigenous Studies at Algonquin College. Valerie has established herself as a young community leader through her roles on the Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Ohkaatisik Council, Ontario First Nations Young Peoples’ Council and the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council.

Valerie is currently the class representative for the Indigenous Studies program where she is focused on projects that promote the well-being of Indigenous womxn. Through this mentorship, Valerie is interested in learning how Indigenous womxn can use advocacy and communication tools to gain access to key decision-makers to further enhance equality in their communities.

Valerie recently published an article in the Tyee, “My Community’s Boil Water Advisory Is Almost as Old as Me,” focused on First Nations water security.