Our Team
Joseph Naytowhow
Knowledge Keeper
Joseph’s name is kamiyo-kesikan-kesikaw-pimohtew (Spirit of the Day Guided Being). He comes from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Sucker River First Nation and on his English/Metis side, Manitoba and the United Kingdom. Meeting the youth from the G.Y.M. family is the highlight to his life. He is so proud of how G.Y.M. has blossomed tremendously over the years and is available for any youth wanting to have fun and grow in many directions. Click here to learn more about Joseph's connection with G.Y.M.
Brian
Lewis
Executive Director
Brian (Ph.D.) has taught in K-12 and post-secondary education over the past 27 years. His research interests include youth mentorship, leadership, high school completion, physical education and physical literacy. He has presented his research at international conferences and continues to facilitate professional development experiences for educators, recreation facilitators and community leaders throughout Western Canada. Brian's passion around youth development continues to drive his teaching and service commitments to the community.
Clairice Tuckanow
Coordinator BSCF
Clairice, a Metis-Cree woman from the Okanese First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory, is passionate about exploring her culture and heritage. She started her career by learning about multimedia and sharing Indigenous stories. Currently, she focuses on empowering youth from diverse backgrounds across Turtle Island, helping them discover and develop their talents through various initiatives and programming. Clairice believes in the limitless opportunities G.Y.M offers young people to enhance their unique gifts. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, exploring new places with her sons, and embracing life on the prairies.
Quinn
Anderson
Leadership Pathway Educator
Quinn (B.Ed.) teaches at Scott Collegiate in the Leadership Pathway and works as a site facilitator with G.Y.M. Prior to teaching at Scott, Quinn completed her Bachelor of Education at the University of Regina focusing on Physical Education and Mathematics. Quinn also has a certificate in Inclusive Education. She grew up playing basketball which led her into refereeing and coaching. Quinn enjoys traveling, sports, fitness and spending time with family and friends. Quinn loves working at GYM and enjoys playing fun games with the kids and mentors!
Ryan
McAleese
Leadership Pathway Educator
Ryan McAleese (B.Ed., B.Kin.) is a teacher in the leadership pathway at Scott Collegiate and a facilitator with G.Y.M. Ryan grew up in Cupar, SK. He enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, hunting and golfing. Recently, Ryan began graduate studies working at the University of Regina in Teaching, Learning and Leadership. For Ryan, G.Y.M. is an opportunity to engage with youth in a different way and a place where relationships can grow.
Daniel Stonechild
F.N. Basketball Facilitator
Daniel (MIED, BGS) is a teacher at Scott Collegiate and the founder of FN Basketball Inc. Daniel grew up in the inner city and experienced many of the things that inner city youth currently deal with. Daniel has a passion for developing Indigenous cultural competencies in inner city youth. He uses basketball as a medium to bring youth together. Daniel’s hope is that the youth start to see how the connections between language, ceremonies, and cultural competencies can effectively impact life choices.
Marc
Nuevo
Mentor
Marc Nuevo was a past student at Scott collegiate. He was born in the Philippines and moved to Regina in 2009. He is currently taking a barbering course because it is his passion. During high school Marc enjoyed G.Y.M because of the physical activity and the wonderful people he worked with.Marc continues to display his leadership skills through the help of G.Y.M in partnership with city of Regina initiatives. Marc wants to be an entrepreneur and pursue barbering.
Jacob Derek Panipekeesick
Mentor
Jacob is a recent graduate of Scott Collegiate and is from Zagime Anishinabek First Nation. He enjoys basketball and hanging out with friends. He loves working at G.Y.M, it is one of the best things of his week. Jacob plans to go to university in the winter semester focusing on business. One of Jacob’s dreams is to buy his mama a house.
Tyneesha Eaglechild
Mentor
Tyneesha, a graduate of Scott Collegiate, enjoys playing volleyball and basketball. She enjoys being active and talking to people. She’s from Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation. Tyneesha has learned more from the kids and enjoys spending her time with them as a mentor.
Kyra
Lerat
Mentor
Kyra is from Cowessess First Nations. Kyra is very involved in sports with basketball being her favorite. In the future, Kyra’s life goal is to travel the world and live in different countries for a good chunk of her life. She enjoys playing various games at G.Y.M. and making the children laugh. The feeling she gets from the laughter makes her super happy, and the feeling from knowing the kids look up to her. Kyra’s advice for the youth is that anything is possible, don't give up on your hopes and dreams when times get tough, remember that you must see the rain before you see the rainbow.
Hope Henderson
Mentor
Hope comes from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba. She strives to make good connections with those around her and to improve her social skills through G.Y.M. and also to gain and learn other important skills by working with kids and peers. Hope’s plans after graduation is to pursue her future career as an Ultrasound Technician. She also wants to end the cycle of intergenerational trauma not only for her future children but her younger brothers too. Hope wants to spread awareness about Indigenous problems that are often overlooked and work with others to brainstorm how to act upon these problems and prevent them from continuing.
Elizabeth Gabriel
Mentor
Elizabeth Gabriel is a 17 year old in grade 12 at Scott Collegiate. She was born and raised in Regina and lives with her mother and 3 siblings. Elizabeth enjoys video games like valorant and overwatch, she likes to watch anime and most sports that her school plays. Elizabeth’s future ambitions are to find a job where she can impact and help people on a regular basis.
Juelz
Jack
Mentor
Juelz is a grade 12 student that is in his third year of working with G.Y.M. He enjoys being active and relaxing at the end of the day. Juelz loves having fun with all the youth that attend G.Y.M. programming. After graduation Juelz is considering additional schooling in the trades sector.
Jada
Ballantyne
Mentor
Jada Ballantyne is seventeen years old, she is from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba. She enjoys playing sports such as volleyball, basketball and badminton. Jada also loves to sketch, cook, watch movies and take walks while listening to music. She intends to start her nursing degree in the spring after she graduates this spring.
Emily
Webber
Mentor
Emily is a 17 year-old Grade 12 student who attends Scott Collegiate high school. She is Metis and was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Emily enjoys being a part of G.Y.M. because it's a place where she feels good about herself. She enjoys seeing kids happy and making them feel like they belong when they come to the G.Y.M. space. G.Y.M. is somewhere where little kids get to look up to the high school mentors, and where mentors have the responsibility of being positive role models for others.
Ethan
Webber
Mentor
Ethan is a 17 year-old Grade 12 student at Scott Collegiate. Ethan enjoys most sports, in particular, basketball, volleyball and badminton. Sports and physical activity are a way for Ethan to support others and build positivity. He loves being part of GYM and helping others gain confidence in movement.
Chris
Cyr
Mentor
Chris is a grade twelve student in his third year working with G.Y.M. He has a passion for cooking and adjusting recipes to make them unique to his liking. For Chris, G.Y.M. is a place you can come to feel welcomed and included. Chris believes GYM is a place mentors are able to inspire the kids for the future so that when they are older they want to inspire the children that come after them.
Grizzly-Ray Bellegarde
Mentor
Grizzly is a grade 12 student at Scott Collegiate. He continues to work on self-discipline, striving to always be a good person to others. Grizzly is a motivated athlete who always puts the good of his team first. Grizzly has 4 younger brothers and 1 older sister that has graduated from Scott.
Creedence Caisse
Mentor
Creedance Caisse a grade 12 student from Cowessess First Nation. Cree enjoys giving back to her community helping in any way she can. She is proud to be part of the G.Y.M team and sees first hand how the community has grown into a positive space . Her hobbies include High Performance Volleyball , Coaching, and Playing Video Games! After high school Cree plans on going to university for arts and continue moving for change and making a positive impact on her home.
Paige
Anaskan
Mentor
Paige Anaskan is a grade 12 student at Scott Collegiate. She was born in Alberta and moved to Saskatchewan at 2 years of age. Paige enjoys helping out and playing volleyball in her free time. This is her second year working with G.Y.M. Seeing the smiles on the little kids faces when they walk into the gym makes Paige’s day. Her goal after high school is to attend university to attain a business degree. Ultimately, Paige is planning to one day start her own interior design business naming it PLA designs.
Samara
Nepinak
Mentor
Samara is a Grade 12 student at Scott Collegiate. She was born in Yorkton but was raised in Regina. She likes her job because she gets to work alongside children. She loves teaching them new things and getting to know them better. Samara enjoys skateboarding and reading but most importantly she loves music, listening to anything, as long as it sounds good to her.
Steven Obey-Littletent
Mentor
Steven is a Grade 12 student that attends Scott Collegiate. Steven has a passion for sports. He loves that G.Y.M. is an organization that focuses on being mentors/role models for youth. Steven enjoys being a part of G.Y.M. not only for the activities but for the other mentors, the youth, and for the fun moments that the people of G.Y.M. make with one another.
Mason
Raaen
Mentor
Mason is 17 and lives in Regina Saskatchewan. He is a grade 12 student at Scott Collegiate. Mason is a purple belt in Shotokan karate and has been doing it for 4 years at Midwest Karate. What Mason loves about G.Y.M. is that it is a positive, fun, and accepting learning environment for the kids and it has become a place where he can express himself in a positive way.
Connor Taypotat
Mentor
Connor is a 15 year old student from Scott Collegiate and is from Kahkewistahaw First Nations, but currently lives in Regina. He is in the leadership pathway and he likes playing basketball and enjoys gaming in his free time. His favorite games are NBA2k23, GTA and COD. He also likes hanging out with his friends. Connor is looking forward to having fun with the youth of GYM that come to the program!
Ava
Cyr
Mentor
Ava Cyr is a 16 year old, grade 11 student who is from Cowessess First Nations. She has lived in Regina since the age of 4 years old and has attended Scott Collegiate since her grade 9 year. Ava has been a mentor for Growing Young Movers since the starting of her grade 10 year and enjoys being around the kids she gets to work with. Her future ambitions are to go into university after she graduates. Ava’s goal is to become a social worker so that she can have the ability to help families and children through counseling, therapy, etc.
D'kin
Crowe
Mentor
D’kin Crowe is a 16 year old student starting grade 11 born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. He’s a very outgoing character and loves to play sports, such as volleyball and his main sport basketball. D’kin’s future ambitions include going to college for basketball and going for a secondary education degree. D’kin has the ability to take on and overcome any challenges thrown his way because he's optimistic in any situation, also passionate about anything that he loves to do! D’kin’s message to the youth is to stay in school, and you can overcome any odds.
Justin Panipekeesick
Mentor
Justin Darius Panipekeesick is a 16 year-old grade eleven student. He likes watching sci-fi TV shows and movies. Justin plays basketball on his own time with friends or his older brother. Working at G.Y.M. has helped Justin come out of his comfort zone and he enjoys playing with the younger ones.
Kaylee
Aisaican
Mentor
Kaylee is in grade 11 and is a mentor at G.Y.M and enjoys helping others and the community. She has grown up in the North Central community and feels working with G.Y.M. is a way to give back to the community she loves. Upon completing high school Kaylee wants to do something that involves working with children. In her spare time, Kaylee enjoys hanging out with friends and going for long walks.
Lena
Goforth
Mentor
Lena Goforth is a grade 11 student at Scott collegiate she is in the leadership pathway, Lena is from George Gordon First Nations but was born and raised in Regina. She is 16 years old and enjoys volleyball, basketball, backup singing and spending time with her nieces and nephews. One thing she looks forward to in G.Y.M is coming out of her comfort zone, working with the youth and getting to know all of the kids.
Madison
Keller-Rogers
Mentor
Madison is 17 years old and currently in Grade 11 at Scott Collegiate. She was raised here in Regina, Saskatchewan. Madison enjoys watching volleyball and basketball in her free time. This will be the second year working at gym. She enjoys working with the kids because of the new things she learns from the kids each day.
Majestic
Houle
Mentor
Majestic is a 16 year old Grade 11 student born and raised in Regina and from Cotes First Nations. His hobbies include listening to music, skateboarding, basketball, hanging out with friends, watching movies, and playing video games. His biggest challenge would be overcoming anxiety. In his words, the definition of a leader would be “having the power to influence others.” What G.Y.M. means to him is, giving these kids another reason to smile and have fun at the end of the day before go they home.
Matthew
Charles
Mentor
Matthew is a grade 11 student at Scott Collegiate. He was born in Regina but grew up most of his life in British Columbia. This is Matthews first year working with GYM. In his spare time he enjoys playing and practicing basketball. Matthew appreciates to chance to be a role model to the youth of GYM.
Nicholai Lewis Bunnie
Mentor
Nicholai is from Onion Lake and is a grade 11 student at Scott Collegiate. He is one of the mentors for Growing Young Movers. He enjoys playing Basketball and video games. Growing Young Movers helps him learn how to be a leader.
River Pelletier-Littletent
Mentor
River is a 16 year old Grade 11 student at Scott Collegiate. He was born and raised in Regina, but is from Kawacatoose First Nations. River likes basketball, playing games, going on walks, and hanging out with friends. One of the challenges River has overcome is social anxiety. River sees being a leader as someone that people can look up to, feel comfortable with, and talk to. River is hardworking and a positive influence. To River G.Y.M. is important because it allows kids to meet people from different schools and backgrounds and it's a good way to stay active.
Romen
Bigsky
Mentor
Romen is a 16 year old from Kawacatoose First Nation. He has excellent experience in babysitting his younger siblings and other family members. He was born in Saskatchewan and after moving a few times to western Canada and the United States, he is back in Saskatchewan. His interests include skateboarding, drawing, nature and cooking. He's known to try his best to help in situations and also enjoys being around children. He chose G.Y.M. because he sees it as an opportunity to open new doors and experience new things, meet new people and help as much as he can.
Terreign
Blind
Mentor
Terreign is a student at Scott Collegiate from George Gordon First Nations. Some of the challenges he faced are with mental health, like depression and social anxiety. The skills that make Terreign a great leader are his ability to listen and have empathy. He joined G.Y.M. to become more social and it gives him a reason to come to school. After high school he is hoping to go to university for engineering if that doesn’t work out he wants to join the army. Terreign hopes that all the youth who attend G.Y.M. have a fun time while they are there.
Tia
Griffith
Mentor
Tia is a 16-year-old grade 11 student at Scott Collegiate born and raised in Regina. A challenge Tia has faced growing up is being alone most of her life, her parents weren’t very present. During her free time she loves to explore nature, listen to music, read, write, play volleyball and hangout with her friends and family. Tia really wants to be a therapist or a lawyer when she’s older. Tia's definition of a leader is someone who displays a positive influence and someone who can enforce rules in a kind way. She enjoys being a part of G.Y.M. because Tia feels she is supporting youth, creating bonds with them and being a positive influence.
Tyler
McNabb
Mentor
Tyler is a 16-year-old grade 11 student from Peepeekisis Cree Nation. Tyler likes playing Rainbow 6 Siege and Escape from Tarkov. Tyler also enjoys all things outdoors such as camping, fishing, and hunting. Tyler views the G.Y.M program as a means to gain future job experience and a way to become more socially active. He plans to attend university to get a degree in Paleontology.
CJ Drummelsmith
Mentor
This is CJ she is 16 and is from Tillsonburg Ontario. She enjoys being apart of the community and in army cadets. CJ says a leader is someone who can make connections with everyone they lead. When she graduates she wishes to continue to work with children being a social worker. If you ever face a challenge know you don’t have to find a solution alone.
David
Crowe
Mentor
David is a grade 11 student at Scott Collegiate. He has been fortunate to have worked with G.Y.M. since grade 9 and loves the opportunity to get to know the young movers and get to be a role model. Building relationships with youth has made David more open to different points of view. David has a new-found passion for boxing and also loves to play basketball. David aspires to be a lawyer one day.
Shavon
Alexson
Mentor
Shavon is a grade 10 student from Scott Collegiate, Shavon was born and raised in Regina. He likes playing basketball, badminton, and football. Shavon is very social and is happy to share. He joined the leadership pathway for opportunities to be more active and engage in hands-on experiences. Shavon hopes to learn skills on how to work with youth in a sports setting.
Easton
Crowe
Mentor
Easton Crowe is a 15 year old, Grade 10 student at Scott Collegiate, and is from Keeseekoose First Nation. And was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. He has an energetic personality. And loves spending his time playing basketball, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. Easton loves to spend his time working at G.Y.M, because he loves the positive energy when he works there. This is Easton’s first year working at G.Y.M and is happy that he has a chance to be a role model for the youth.
Keira Lumberjack
Mentor
Keira is a grade 10 student at Scott Collegiate. She enjoys culinary based activities such as baking and cooking, as well as having a huge passion for music. Keira looks forward to working as a mentor with GYM. It will be an opportunity to try something different and she is excited to try things that will take her out of her comfort zone.
Kayne
Sherling
Mentor
Kayne is a 15 year old, grade ten student, and has lived in Regina his whole life. He enjoys playing tackle football and playing video games in his free time. His favorite games are Rust, Rainbow Six Siege and Elden Ring. Kayne looks forward to working with the youth and ensuring they have a fun time at G.Y.M.
Launa Daniels-Desjarlais
Mentor
This is Launa Daniels-Desjarlais, she is a 16 year old that's in grade 10 at Scott Collegiate. She is from Fishing Lake and moved to Regina when she was 2 years old.
The reason why Launa wants to join the leadership pathway is to get along with everyone and help out with kids and others. In her free time she likes to draw, loves going for a long walk and going to the park when it's not cold. She also enjoys playing games or being in the gym. She likes to sleep and hangout with her friends, and hangout with kids and make sure they have fun. Launa wants to have a good day with G.Y.M and thinks it will help her get out of her comfort zone and make friends.
Mason Lumberjack
Mentor
Mason Lumberjack is a 15 year-old student who is currently in grade 10 going to Scott Collegiate. He was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Mason enjoys going to school since it gives him something to do. He also enjoys sleeping, skateboarding, hanging with friends, and playing video games. Mason’s definition of a leader is someone who inspires others to do great things. Mason works to make sure the kids at GYM have fun, laugh and smile. Seeing them smile and having fun makes him want to come to work more often to ensure they stay smiling and having fun. In the future Mason wants to become a chemical engineer.
Gina
Labsan
Mentor
Gina is a 16 year old student at Scott Collegiate. She was born in the Philippines and moved to Canada at the age of 3. Gina enjoys baking and traveling to new places. The definition of leader to her is someone who wants to make a good impact for others. Skills that make her a leader are her patience and her inspiration to strive for change. She believes G.Y.M. is a safe place that makes a big impact within our community by bringing kids and youth together. Gina wants to become a therapist to create a safe and supportive environment for anyone in need just like G.Y.M. Her short message to the youth is life's short, make the most outta it.
CG
Hockley
Mentor
This is CG, a 15 year old from Regina Saskatchewan. CG enjoys playing football and also enjoys poetry. CG believes that a leader is someone who guides and inspires others. Skills a leader should have are: communication, good decision making, and taking responsibility. CG believes that GYM is important because kids are always going to be our future,and not all kids growing up get support. He knows from experience and feels like this would be a great thing to get involved in. CG’s future ambitions are to play professional football and to be an electrician in the off season.
Ethan
Holmes
Mentor
This is Ethan! He is 15 years old and he is from New Brunswick. He moved to Regina when he was 7 years old. Ethan enjoys playing basketball and baseball. His favorite thing to do in his free time is play video games or work on his truck. Ethan loves working with little kids because they are fun to work and play with. In the future, Ethan would like to buy a nice car and a camper for his parents.
Michael Dubnewick
Michael Dubnewick(Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Regina in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies and a Research Associate with G.Y.M. Michael’s work is rooted in narrative inquiry and he is interested in learning from people’s stories of experience as they engage in recreation, leisure, and wellness. His research focuses on leadership, community development, and understandings of living in relationally ethical ways in the many places we reside.
Tristan
Hopper
Tristan Hopper (Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Regina in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies and a research associate with G.Y.M. Youth Development. With a particular interest in youth development, he uses a meaning-oriented and strengths-based approach to recreation, sport, and wellness. Tristan’s work primarily draws on the use of community-based participatory research methods (including youth-led participatory action research, YPAR) and aims to build thriving communities and provide an effective support system through co-creating and co-implementing people-centered solutions through a social justice lens.
Keetyn
Maxwell
Keetyn Maxwell is a Ph.D student at the University of Regina in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies. Originally from British Columbia, he arrived in Regina in 2022 after completing his bachelor's and master's at Brock University. His own research is focused on exploring the youth sport and recreation experience, and the meaning it holds for individuals involved. At G.Y.M, Keetyn is involved in a research project which is collaborating with some of the mentors to produce a podcast that shares the experience of being a mentor and the importance and impact of G.Y.M from the mentor's perspective.
Brayden Bjorndal
Brayden (B.Kin.) is a Dream Broker at Sacred Heart school, a role that helps students participate in afterschool programs like G.Y.M. He grew up in Weyburn, Saskatchewan and enjoys coaching hockey, playing sports, and being outdoors. Recently, Brayden began his graduate studies at the University of Regina and is interested in learning from the experiences of youth as they engage in sport, recreation, and wellness programs. For Brayden, G.Y.M is an opportunity to work with youth in a different space and develop strong relationships. Brayden feels fortunate to be part of G.Y.M and conduct his research in this space.
