Miawpukek Tourism, Culture and Recreation Director
Colleen is a graduate of the Community Recreation Leadership Program and is now working towards a Tourism Management Degree.
Colleen was hired by the Miawpukek First Nation to build a Recreation Division in 2002. In 2005, she was asked to expand her workload to manage Community Cultural Programs. She also gained Tourism Development responsibilities in 2007, when her Division was renamed the Tourism, Culture, and Recreation (TCR) Division. Colleen grew the Division from one employee in 2002 to 52 fulltime and part time employees by 2022. Her current programs and projects include the Annual Traditional Powwow, other special events, Jipuji’j Campgrounds and Waterpark, community parks and trails, community sports and recreation, cultural revitalization, and Community Indigenous Tourism Development. The TCR Division was recognized by Chief and Council as a Department and was made official in March of 2022.
Colleen has built many strong industry partnerships over the years include Parks Canada, the Provincial Government Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Recreation (TCAR), Recreation Newfoundland & Labrador (RECNL), The Rooms, the Canadian Canoe Museum, the YMCA, and the Qalipu First Nations. Colleen is an active Board member of the Newfoundland & Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association (NLITA), Adventure Central Newfoundland DMO, and the ICH program.