Rena Squirrel
Guest Speaker
Professional Affiliation
Project Coordinator, Gwich鈥檌n Council International
Expert Bio
Rena Squirrel is Teetl鈥檌t Gwich鈥檌n from Teetl鈥檌t Zheh (Fort McPherson, NT, Canada) located on Treaty 11 territory, and a beneficiary of the Gwich鈥檌n Tribal Council. Her mother is Rene Firth from Teetl鈥檌t Zheh and her father is Doug Squirrel from Lidii Kue (Fort Simpson, NT, Canada). Her grandpa on her mother鈥檚 side is Ben Firth from Teetl鈥檌t Zheh and her grandma on her mother鈥檚 side is Joanne Charlie, who is Vuntut Gwich鈥檌n from Old Crow, Yukon, Canada. Rena currently resides on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, AB, Canada with her two sons, Riel and Nateyaa Dosedel, and her partner Dennis Dosedel.
Rena graduated from the University of Alberta with a combined degree, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and Bachelor of Secondary Education with a Native Studies major. She brings years of experience working and volunteering with Indigenous communities and governments throughout the Northwest Territories. She began work as a Project Coordinator with Gwich鈥檌n Council International in 2021, focusing on renewable energy and food security. She is excited to work with Gwich'in communities and people around the world to protect the environment and strive towards sustainable development solutions.
