officials

AAAM OFFICIALS

AAAM's Annual General Meeting was held in Edmonton on August 23, 2007. Elections were held and below are the bio's of the elected officials.

Present are: Andre L'Hirondelle
Tom Ghostkeeper, Gary Pruden
Jean Cardinal, Dale Shirt
Taz McGillis, Shelley Poitras
Sharon Pasula, Orville Gladue
Curtis Cardinal, Winston Wuttunee
Arthur White Owl, Russell Teed
Missing in Picture is Garry Lee

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	Andre L'Hirondelle Andre was raised in the East Prairie Metis Settlement and moved to Edmonton for schooling in the early 1970s. After high school Andre worked numerous labor and driving jobs through out central and northern Alberta. In 1986 he was hired by the Alberta Government and for 17 years worked for the Departmental of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. In 2002, at the provincial level, he was appointed Chair of the Metis Settlement Appeal Tribunal . In 2003, at the federal level, he was appointed director for the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals . His term for both of these agencies ended in 2006.
Andre's musical interests started early in life by listening to the fiddle music of his father and uncle. He learnt to play rhythm for fiddle music in his teens but then later in life left this genre of music for country music and then rock and roll. Today he still has passion for these three forms of music. Andre had formed two country rock bands. The first was called “Challenge” formed in the 1970s and the second was called “PrairieWind” formed in the late 1980s. In early 2007 Andre made contact with a few individuals to explore the idea of forming a musical associate for Aboriginal musicians. In January 2007 the Alberta Association of Aboriginal Music was registered and André was elected its first president. Andre is committed to making this society a success by exploring and working on every good idea to make better opportunities for Alberta Aboriginal musicians.
	Shelley Poitras Shelley Poitras is acting Vice - President of the AAAM. She was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewon and was raised in the St. Paul area. Currently she is involved with managing their family band, 24 Seven and taking care of bookings and promotions for Cory and Kelsey - her son and daughter. Shelley has volunteered on many committees over the years from organizing fund raisers for fiddling organizations to building and maintaining webpages to playing music with her family at seniors lodges. The Poitras family currently organize and host a monthly Jamboree at Lac Bellevue Hall.
Shelley loves to be creating - from designing and sewing clothing to crafts to graphic designing for posters and websites. She has extensive sales and public relations background and event hosting experience working with motivational speaker Brian Tracy, as well as other companies.
	Winston Wuttunee Winston is the Director of Productions for the AAAM An internationally known cree entertainer from the Eagle Hills of Saskatchewon. Since 1973 Winston Wuttunee (Eagle Feather) has performed across North America, the Middle East, England, France, Germany, Chezcoslovakia, Italy, Austria, Australia and New Zealand. In 2007 he performed at festivals in Melbourne, Port Fairy and the National in Canberra. He also played in April 2007 at Rotorua, New Zealand
He is best known as a world travelled cultural entertainer, comedien, recording artist of 16 CDs (6 of these are for children) Prolific song writer, presentor in schools, including various conferences - examples: Parenting, Foster Parents, Educational, Cultural Workshops, Instrumentalist, Inspirational and Motivational Keynote Speaker, Actor, Writer, Puppeter, Composer and Master of Ceremonies.
	Dale Shirt Dale is the AAAM Treasurer. He has his B.Com and works as an independent business consultant, developing business plans and handling bookkeeping functions for small business Dale enjoys music and is a pretty good singer. In fact he's the reigning Canadian Bathroom Shower Idol.
	Jean Cardinal Jean is the AAAM Secretary. She's an entrepreneur who owns a family support agency. She possesses a duel degree from the University of Alberta where she obtained her BA in Native Studies and a B.Ed. Jean is pursuing a life long dream of singing in a choir. She sings with the choir at the Sacred Heart Church of the First People.
	Lois Ashley Lois is our Executive Director. Born in Coaldale, Alberta but raised in Edmonton. Lois has certificates in Correctional Services, Secretarial Services and Youth Work. She is currently working on completing her Bachelors Degree in Sociology/ Anthropology. Has been working with Social Services in Alexander First Nation for past 13 years. Comes from a musical family where picking up a guitar and gathering around to sing was a way of life. Lois loves Old Time dancing, square dancing, jigging and fiddle music!! (Cory is one of her favorites!!) She has an unending passion for music and is a frequent karaoke patron and when she gathers enough nerve, and even gets up on stage at the community Oprys !