OALA September Update

In this newsletter you will find:

New OALA Staff Announcement
OALA 2025-2026 Annual General Meeting and Elections for the Board of Directors
Registration for OALA's Project Management Fundamentals Training in Partnership with Catalyste+
September's Virtual Training Sessions
Partnership Opportunities
NALMA Updates and more!

The OALA office will be closed September 1, 2025 for Labor Day and September 30, 2025 for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Our team is growing!

We are excited to announce that an Executive Director and GIS Technician will be joining the OALA Team.

Please welcome our new Executive Director, Mindy Knott and GIS Technician, Alexander Johnston!

Mindy Knott is a proud member of Oshkiigamong (Curve Lake First Nation) and of the Bear/Eagle Clan. She has devoted her career to serving her Nation with a focus on Consultation, Economic Development, and Employment & Training, while ensuring that lands and stewardship remain at the heart of her work. A Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) and Technical Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED), she has also completed the Harvard Business School Executive Program on Leading People and Investing in Building Sustainable Communities.

Mindy Knott

OALA Executive Director

Start Date: September 8, 2025

Currently, she serves as an elected Councillor for Curve Lake, where she continues to advocate for strong governance and land-based approaches to Nation-building.

Mindy is excited to join the OALA team and looks forward to contributing her experience in relationship-building, training, professional development and land stewardship to support the organization’s important work with First Nation communities.

Alexander Johnston

OALA GIS Technician

Start Date: September 15, 2025

Alexander Johnston is joining our association as our GIS Technician. He is currently completing his Master’s in Geography, where his thesis focused on mapping heathlands, and exploring forests to heathlands state shift following wildfire in Miawpukek First Nation’s traditional territory. His professional interests include spatial ecology, community-led approaches to conservation, and critically examining conventional conservation frameworks. When he’s not working, you’ll find Alexander in his garage working on bikes or heading into the backcountry for climbing, bikepacking, and canoe trips.

To keep up with future virtual and in-person training sessions, visit the Events page on our website.

For more information, please visit https://oala-on.ca/events/ or contact Ashley at communications@oala-on.ca.

Notice of OALA Elections

An election for four seats on the OALA Board of Directors will take place at the 2025-2026 Annual General Meeting being held virtually on September 24, 2025.

Click here to view OALA's Election Process.

Election Forms:

Nomination Form

Seconder Form

Acceptance of Nomination Form

Proxy Form

OALA Bylaw

Important: You must be a member in good standing to be eligible to vote.

Virtual Sessions

Click the icon above the online event you’d like to learn more about to link to OALA's website.

Lunch & Learn

September 10

Introduction to Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Understanding Data Governance and Data Management

Peer Support Session

September 18

Focusing on Land Management

Webinars and Lunch & Learn sessions are typically recorded and posted on the Members Portal.

If you require access to the Members Portal please contact Ashley at communications@oala-on.ca.

First Nation-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI)

Cando and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) have announced that the Call for Applications for eight new First Nation – Municipal partnerships to participate in the First Nation-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) has been extended to Friday, September 26th, 2025, 11:59pmMT.

Learn More

NALMA Specialized Training Schedule

To keep up with future training opportunities and updates from NALMA, visit nalma.ca.

Additions to Reserve/Reserve Creation

Dates: September 16 - 18, 2025

Location: Calgary, AB

OALA's Quick Reference Guide

to Land Transactions

Click here to check out the Quick Reference Guide to Land Transactions on our website!

Member Portal

In OALA’s member login portal, you will find:

Documents: (a library, sorted by folder topics for ease of use, which will include templates, webinars, and other resources, that have been created or curated by OALA staff, or shared by other OALA members)

Lunch & Learns and Webinars: (all OALA webinars that have been delivered since 2020 are available here, including Handouts, PowerPoint Presentations, and Video Recordings)

To access these sections, click on “Members Only” at the top right-hand corner and a drop down menu will appear.