Wildfire Management

Venue Details:
Kings Court at Plaza 88
888 Central Ave, Prince Albert, SK

Event Parking Information for Attendees

NITHA EMR Forum
Agenda 2026

Click on image to download

Forum Materials

Please note that presentations submitted during the forum may take a few days to be posted.

Questions? Contact our Communications Officer at media@nitha.com or ngillert@nitha.com.

Evaluation Form

Devin Bernatchez – Forum Chair
Constituency Assistant
Office of MP Buckley Belanger

Devin Bernatchez lives in Sucker River and works with MP Buckley Belanger, supporting federal constituency work in northern Saskatchewan. He is a former teacher, junior hockey player, and band councillor with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, where he served on several boards and committees. Devin enjoys sports, coaching youth, and time spent hunting and fishing with his family.

Patrick Hassler
Co-Chair/Speaker
Emergency Response Coordinator
Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority

Patrick Hassler is the Emergency Response Coordinator for Northern Inter‑Tribal Health Authority, a role he has held since 2011. An Advanced Care Paramedic, he provides third‑level health emergency support and coordination across the NITHA partnership. Patrick is a recipient of the Governor General EMS Exemplary Service Medal and the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal.

Shaylene Kenaschuk
MOH Emergency Management Unit
Ministry of Health

Shaylene Kenaschuk is a Policy and Program Consultant and Emergency Planning Officer with the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Management Unit. With more than a decade of experience in EMS and health emergency management, she provides leadership in preparedness, response coordination, and business continuity. She is recognized for her strong organizational skills, specialized training in emergency operations, and positive, solutions‑focused approach.

Katelyn Gateman
Health Emergency Management Unit
Saskatchewan Health Authority

Katelyn Gateman is the Provincial Manager of Health Emergency Management for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, leading efforts in preparedness, response, and recovery across the health system. She brings 10 years of firefighting experience and 10 years in emergency dispatch, grounding her work in strong operational understanding. Katelyn is committed to collaboration, practical solutions, and continuous learning in support of health system resilience.

Yolanda Ducharme
Senior Environmental Health Officer
Meadow Lake Tribal Council

Yolanda Ducharme is the Senior Environmental Public Health Officer at Meadow Lake Tribal Council and a member of Flying Dust First Nation. With 20 years at MLTC, she oversees Environmental Health, Drinking Water Safety, and Emergency Response programming. Yolanda is deeply involved in building a comprehensive, First Nation–led emergency response program and values family, community, and time outdoors.

Joan Hrycyk
Director of Emergency and Community Support
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

Joan Hrycyk is the Director of Emergency and Community Support at the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency with 35 years in the Saskatchewan public service. She has supported major provincial responses, including wildfire evacuations, the Humboldt Broncos crash, and the COVID‑19 pandemic. Joan plays a key role in coordinating cross‑government efforts to safeguard communities during large‑scale emergencies.

Tyler Harrison
Manager, Emergency Services
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

Tyler Harrison is the Manager of Emergency Services with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, overseeing a program dedicated to strengthening municipal resilience. Over his 14‑year SPSA career, he has served as an emergency responder and Fire Investigator specializing in determining the origin and cause of fires. He also currently acts as Director of Intelligence Services and the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.

Teresa Miller
Emergency Crisis Support Coordinator
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

Teresa Miller is an Emergency Crisis Support Coordinator with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, supporting response operations and collaboration during critical incidents. She also serves as Search Manager with Parkland Search and Rescue and volunteers as a Medical First Responder with St. John Ambulance. A former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Teresa brings disciplined, compassionate leadership and is pursuing further education in emergency management.

Duane Hiebert
Emergency Response Coordinator
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation

Duane Hiebert is the Director of Emergency Management for Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, a role he has held since April 2022. He previously spent more than a decade with the Government of Saskatchewan in the Ministry of Environment and in Emergency Management and Fire Safety. Duane brings extensive experience across multiple sectors and values the rewarding, collaborative nature of working with PBCN and partner organizations during emergencies.

Rob Ferland
Emergency Response Coordinator
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Health Services

Rob Ferland is the Emergency Response Coordinator for Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Health Services and an Advanced Care Paramedic with more than 40 years of experience. He leads emergency preparedness initiatives, supports EOCs, and provides clinical training to strengthen community response capacity. A nationally recognized instructor and award recipient, Rob is dedicated to improving safety and readiness across PBCN communities.

Dr. Veronica McKinney
Director
Northern Medical Services

Dr. Veronica McKinney is a Cree physician and Director of Northern Medical Services at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine. She provides leadership for medical care in northern, predominantly Indigenous communities and has a strong interest in research, innovation, and education. Her background in nehiyaw culture and community collaboration guides her work toward improving health outcomes.

Pamela Goulden‑McLeod
Director
Saskatoon Fire Department

Pamela Goulden‑McLeod is the Director of Emergency Management for the City of Saskatoon, where she leads emergency management, business continuity, corporate security, and community safety. She has extensive experience supporting northern and remote community evacuations and emphasizes culturally respectful, relationship‑driven planning. Pamela is committed to strengthening coordination and preparedness through a whole‑of‑community approach.

Staff Sergeant Matt Walz
Saskatoon Police Service

Staff Sergeant Matt Walz has served with the Saskatoon Police Service for 22 years in patrol, criminal investigations, and specialized operations. He spent 14 years with the Public Safety Unit, including deployments during major evacuations. Most recently, he led the SPS response to the 2025 wildfires and supported evacuee care in Saskatoon.

Luc Mullinder
Vice President
Canadian Red Cross

Luc Mullinder is the Vice President for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nunavut with the Canadian Red Cross, guiding strategic emergency response and community partnerships. A former Saskatchewan Roughrider and Grey Cup champion, he joined the Red Cross after retiring from the CFL and has since led major shifts in Indigenous‑led emergency response agreements. Luc continues to support community resilience while also working as a part‑time CFL analyst.

Jacqueline Hall
Director, Granting – Recovery Services
Canadian Red Cross

Jacqueline Hall is the Director of Granting at the Canadian Red Cross, leading national grant programs that support community relief, recovery, and risk reduction. She previously served as Director of Granting at the Canadian Women’s Foundation, advancing initiatives in gender‑based violence prevention and women’s economic security. Based in Montreal, she is also an active volunteer in local food security efforts.

Melanie Horton
Senior Manager, Relief Operations
Canadian Red Cross

Melanie Horton is the Senior Manager of Relief Operations for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nunavut with the Canadian Red Cross. With 15 years of experience in emergency and recovery work, she is known for building strong partnerships with First Nations and emergency management organizations. Melanie brings a community‑focused, relationship‑driven approach to preparedness and response.

Jack Lee
Engineer-in-Training Flow Forecasting & Operational Planning
Saskatchewan Water Security

Jack Lee is an Engineer‑in‑Training with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, specializing in flow forecasting and operations planning. His work supports water management and reservoir operations across the Saskatchewan River systems. Jack is committed to presenting technical water information clearly and effectively to support decision‑making.

Candyce Paul
Emergency Management Coordinator
English River First Nation

Candyce Paul is the Emergency Management Coordinator for English River First Nation, leading community‑driven responses to floods, wildfires, and the COVID‑19 pandemic. Under her leadership, ERFN has strengthened its capacity to prepare for and manage emergencies, including multiple evacuations and wildfire protection operations. She is a strong advocate for her community and enjoys gardening, beadwork, and time with her grandchildren.

Cindy Roache
Regional Director, Primary Health Care and Population Health
Indigenous Services Canada / FNIHB

Cindy Roache is the Regional Director of Primary Health Care and Population Health for Indigenous Services Canada – Saskatchewan Region. With two decades of experience across Canada, she specializes in Indigenous health, public health, and community‑level engagement. Cindy is a Certified Health Executive with advanced training in health administration, public health communication, and emergency management.

Pauline Busch
Regional Director, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Indigenous Services Canada

Pauline Busch, a member of Nisichawayasihk First Nation, has dedicated her career to community development, justice, and cultural preservation. Her work spans grassroots homelessness support, restorative justice, environmental advocacy, and federal policy roles. She currently serves as Senior Advisor in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention with First Nations Inuit Health, continuing her lifelong commitment to community wellbeing.

Michelle Ring
Regional Emergency Management Coordinator
Indigenous Services Canada – Saskatchewan Region

Michelle Ring is a Regional Emergency Management Coordinator with Indigenous Services Canada – Saskatchewan Region. With over 40 years of public service, she has longstanding relationships with First Nations communities and specializes in supporting prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Michelle values community‑led approaches and enjoys family time, reading, and the outdoors.

Donald Halkett
Emergency Protective Service Officer
Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management

Donald Halkett is an Emergency Protective Service Officer with Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management and a member of Lac La Ronge Indian Band. With 16 years of all‑hazards response experience, he has supported major fire incidents across six provinces and one territory in multiple command roles. Donald enjoys spending time outdoors with his three daughters and playing hockey through the winter months.