Our Team
Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate – Principal – Edwin McCorrister
Vice-principal – Flora-Lee Trueman
Flora-Lee Trueman is a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. She has a Bachelor of General Studies/Education After Degree (5 years) from the University of Brandon, a Post Baccalaureate Diploma from the University of Winnipeg, and is a Master of Education Degree Candidate from St. Francis Xavier University. Over the past eighteen years, Flora-Lee has worked in education in different capacities. She has taught at the middle and senior years levels with both Independent and public schools across Manitoba and comes to the Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate as an experienced instructional leader, workshop and training facilitator, course developer, divisional support teacher, coach, mentor, and consultant.
Guidance Counsellor / Liaison – Tina Cook-Martin
Tina Cook-Martin is a member from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. She has a Masters in Education (Guidance & Counselling) from Brandon University, Bachelor of Education from University College of the North, Bachelor of Arts from Brandon University, Restorative Justice Diploma from University College of the North, and a Justice Studies Certificate from Brandon University. She has worked with various schools ranging to Kindergarten to High School including post secondary institutions in Brandon and The Pas, Manitoba. She has two children, Cleveland and Jesse, and has been married to her husband Quinton for 17 years.
Instructional Coach – Sylvia Anderson
Sylvia is a member of the Pinaymootang First Nation. She has a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Education from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Education from Brandon University. She has worked in various schools in First Nation communities: Pinaymootang School, Little Saskatchewan H.A.G.M.E School, Ebb and Flow School, and Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre. Sylvia’s experience includes, Middle Years, High School, Resource Teacher, and Adult Education with programs from Red River College and Assiniboine Community College, and recently MFNERC Educational Assistant Instructor with University College of the North. She is also a certified Life Skills Coach.
Curriculum Developer/Instructor – Peter Petkau
Peter has a Certificate in Education, UM in 1974; Bachelor of Theology, CMU in 1978; Bachelor of Education, UM in 1981; Computer Technician, WTC in 1997; Post Baccalaureate in Education from the UM in 2005. He has 13 years as Computer Instructor with Charles Sinclair High School, Fisher River; 2 years Computer Instructor with Poplar River School; 10 years teaching in various communities in southern Manitoba and Adult Computer Instructor for Community Nites in Fisher River.
Curriculum Developer/Instructor – William (Billy) Flett
My name is William Lee Flett, but everyone knows me as Bill or Billy. I am married to my wife Candace for 11 years, and we have two beautiful children, Liam is 12 years old, and Brenlee is 10. I am a Peguis First Nations Band member. I was born in Calgary, Alberta, and moved to Peguis when I was eight years old. I graduated from Peguis Central School in 1999. After graduation, I attended the University of Manitoba, where I also played with the Bison’s Men’s hockey team. I graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2008 with a Bachelor of Education Degree, senior years stream, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree, major in Geography and minor in Native Studies and Psychology. I then returned home to Peguis, where I taught nine years senior high social studies: grade 10 geography, grade 11 history, grade 12 global issues. In 2018, we decided to move back to Winnipeg so that our children will have more opportunities for a brighter future. I am now into my fourth year teaching at Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate, where I have the opportunity to learn and experience online learning and course development. I look forward to continuing my career with Wapaskwa and the MFNERC.
Curriculum Developer/Instructor – Annie Boulanger
Annie was born and raised in Berens River, Manitoba. She obtained a B.Ed. degree and Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Education from University of Manitoba. After graduating, she began teaching at Children of the Earth High School, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Subject areas: Gr.9-12 Ojibwe, Gr.10 History, Gr.10 Art and Language Arts (team teaching). She also taught at Red River College, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1999-2017) in the Aboriginal Language Specialist Diploma Program, Self-Government Administration Diploma Program – History, Intro to Canadian Law, Ethics and Seminar on Traditional Teachings; Biindigen Upgrading Program, now APCET- Communications, Aboriginal History, and Community Economic Development Diploma Program (CD\CED)- Aboriginal History & Culture and Political Context in CD.
Boozhoo, aaniin, gikinoo’omaaganag (greetings, students)
Curriculum Developer/Instructor – Delaney Appleyard
Delaney Appleyard was born and raised in Lundar, Manitoba. In 2018 she graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Education degree with a major in Geography and a minor in English. Delaney started teaching in 2018 with her first position in Flin Flon, Manitoba, as a high school and adult education educator in an alternative school called Many Faces Education Centre. She has also taught grades 7 & 8 in Winkler, MB, and has now returned to teaching high school, working for Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate.
Curriculum Developer/Instructor – Vibhu Vashisht
Vibhu has been with WVC since 2013. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from UM in 2009, a Bachelor of Education Degree from UM in 2011, and a Masters of Educational Technology from UBC in 2017. His practicum experience was with Shaftesbury High School for Grade 10/11 Science and Kelvin High for Grade 12 Science. His work experience includes CSI instructor at John M. King School in 2010; and Assistant Language Teacher, Bandai Jr. High School, Fukushima, Japan (Exchange & Teaching Program) 2011-2013.
Curriculum Developer/Instructor – Mona Asham
Mona began with WVC in 2019. She earned a Bachelor of Education Degree from UM in 2001. Her work experience includes being a multidisciplinary teacher at Dauphin River School in 2001-02, a high school teacher at Pinaymootang School from 2002-14 and a high school ELA and Social Studies teacher at Peguis Central School from 2014-2019.
Course Developer/Instructor – Michelle Jonson
Michelle has a Bachelor of Science (Honours Degree.) and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba. She has taught grades 7 through 12 in the Prairie Rose, Louis Riel and River East School Divisions for 15 years. Michelle has taught all subjects but with a main focus on high school math and science.
Course Developer/Instructor – Ida Bear
Ida is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Education and Arts. She worked with the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg as a Lecturer 2 and as a Sessional Instructor. She also taught in the public school system with Lord Selkirk School Division. Ida’s background is in Bilingual Education, Algonquian Linguistics, Community Development, Language Planning, Land-based Education, and Oral History. She is also a knowledgeable story teller, and currently teaches Cree here at WVC.
Course Developer/Instructor – Kevin Murdock
Kevin is a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation. He graduated from the Charles Sinclair School and attended Brandon University, graduating with a Bachelor of General Studies and After Degree program in Education. He worked at the Peguis Central School for six years and the Charles Sinclair School for 14 years. He also worked for the Fisher River Education Authority as the Coordinator for their Bachelor of Arts and Practical Nursing programs at the Verna J. Kirkness Centre. For the past ten years, he has worked as a Principal in Ontario, as well as a Vice-Principal, and Principal in communities in Northern Manitoba.
Course Developer/Instructor – Samantha Clarke
Samantha is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation. She has a Bachelor of Education and Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. She has taught in the public-school system at Maples Collegiate in Winnipeg as well in several First Nations Communities in central and northern Manitoba. Samantha has taught a variety of grade and subject levels; her specialization is in Indigenous studies and Canadian history.
Course Developer/Instructor – Erin Gauthier
Erin was born and raised in Winnipeg. She attended the University of Winnipeg for her Bachelor of Arts and Education before beginning her teaching career. Since becoming a teacher, Erin has taught young children, teens and adults; there isn’t a grade, subject or topic she hasn’t taught. When Erin isn’t at work, she enjoys making soaps and lotions, cross stitching (mostly owls), and binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy or Marvel movies when she is supposed to be doing more important things.
Course Developer/Instructor – Catherine Constant
Tansi, my name is Catherine Constant, and I am from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB. I recently relocated to Winnipeg, MB, with my two daughters Ellen Peyton and Sofia Madison. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Education Degree at the University College of the North in 2019. After graduation, I went to Alberta for half a semester, then went back to my hometown to teach until I came to Winnipeg. I love sports, especially baseball.
Instructional Designer – Vacant
Educational Digital Content Specialist – Dave Winters
Dave has been an educator for 15 years now. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education, and a PhD in the area of Logic and Foundations of Mathematics. Dave has taught nearly all grade levels, from early years classes to post-secondary courses; from children to adults seeking a high school equivalency certificate. Dave’s first job was teaching grade 1 and 2 students in a split class at Skownan School in Skownan, Manitoba. Previous to coming to MFNERC, Dave taught social studies and physical education at Gilbert Plains Collegiate in Gilbert Plains Manitoba.
Multimedia Designer – Meghan Mowatt
Meghan is from the commercial fishing community of Matheson Island, formerly known as Snake Island, Manitoba. She completed her Business Administration certificate from Red River College. Meghan dedicated the majority of her adolescent and young adult life to her passion of Metis fiddle music. With her creative nature, Meghan found herself freelancing her graphic design abilities and she discovered the exceptional opportunity to join MFNERC as the Multimedia Designer for Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate.
LMS Specialist – Danton Wilson-Swampy
Danton Wilson-Swampy is a proud member of the Sagkeeng First Nation and was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 2018, he completed his studies in the Business Technology Management Program at Red River College, where he focused on IT Project Management, Business Analysis, Financial Accounting, and Computer programming.
After graduation, Danton began working at MFNERC (Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre) as the Laserfiche Technician and Application Administrator, where he gained valuable experience in managing technology and applications. He is thrilled to have joined Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate as the Learning Management Specialist and is determined to impact the department positively and contribute to the department’s success.
Administrative Assistant – Shirley Monkman
Shirley is WVC’s Administrative Assistant and has been working with MFNERC for 15 years. She’s from a small community called Patricia Beach and she has 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Her work history has many years of experience as a Customer Service Representative, General Office Manager, Pharmacy Technician, and Cashier.
SIS/LMS Technician – Matthew McCorrister
Matthew McCorrister is originally from Peguis First Nation. He attended Red River College and received a Community Development/Community Economic Development Diploma. Prior to joining Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate, he worked for many Indigenous organizations including Dakota Ojibway Health Services (DOHS), Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC), and Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO). His previous work experiences includes Logistics Administrative Assistant, DOHS (2018-19); Educational Assistant, Peguis Central School (2015-16); and Energy Efficiency Upgrade Coordinator Assistant, North End Community Renewal Corp. (2015).
Student Support Specialist – Cherie Francois
Cherie is a proud and strong Indigenous woman currently taking her Master’s in Education at the University of Manitoba. She spent the majority of her career living and teaching in Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan teaching mostly in the senior year’s stream, but has enjoyed a few of the younger grades. She believes this rich First Nations northern culture has greatly contributed to shaping who she is today through the people’s loving community orientation, connection, and unity.
In addition to her dedication and commitment to high-quality First Nations education, Cherie considers herself to be a knowledgeable and practiced spiritual person. She has had the opportunity to use her spirituality in the healing profession working as a Cultural Program Advisor, a cultural resource person, and also as a cultural support person in education.
Cherie has a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Education and has spent about 27 years actively attending ceremonies, which includes the Sundance. The combination of academic and spiritual knowledge has enabled her a broad vision of embracing, connecting, and implementing the strengths of two cultures in education. She is both excited and honored to become a team member of the Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate and the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre.
Help Desk Technician – eLearning – Vacant
