Michelle Canaday is the great granddaughter of Agnes & Michele Bob, granddaughter of Teresa Bob & Donald Kennedy and daughter to Lois & Alan Canaday.

Michelle currently resides in Kamloops with her husband. John Cormier and 27-year-old son, Kohl. In the summer she enjoys being outdoors, puttering around her yard and boating on the Shuswap Lake.

Michelle was fortunate enough to have been funded through Bonaparte to obtain her Bachelor of Education Degree, and later her Master’s in Educational Leadership. Michelle has worked as a teacher in First Nations schools, located within the Sto:lo Nation and the Shuswap Nation, before becoming the Principal of Skeetchestn Community School.

In 2012, Michelle was hired as a Regional Principal for First Nations Steering Committee/First Nations Schools Association. For over 7 years, she supported more than 20 First Nation communities throughout the province, with their on-reserve education programs and schools by:

• Promoting and leading educational leadership teams in advancing supervision for learning practices in First Nations schools
• Supporting data analysis and how to utilize data to inform instruction/program direction, within schools
• Supporting and working with school/community governance to build a connection and understanding of First Nations Education
• Building collaborative relationships and working with various organizations, such as First Nations Health Association, Paul Martin
• Foundation, Industry and Trades Association and the Construction Foundation

In October 2019, Michelle moved on to work as Director of First Nations Initiatives, with the Construction Foundation of BC and their All Roads Project. The project includes working with 7 First Nations communities to support trades employment pathways for community members. It starts with a Work Force Development Plan, co-created and owned by the community. The plan aids in identifying current and future employment needs and opportunities to ensure training and supports are targeted for employment that is, or will be, available.

The All Roads Project, works with community members, from wherever they may be in their journey; to establish Road Maps and provide supports to see them through to employment or training programs, leading towards employment.

Michelle’s experience as an educator has built on her human resource skills and has allowed her to build relationships with numerous First Nations communities, as well as Education and Industry partners. Working with a number of First Nations governance bodies, has also provided Michelle with opportunities to witness the many successes of First Nations communities, within BC.

Michelle Canaday was nominated for the 2019 Bonaparte council and enjoyed the experience that it provided her. She is eager to serve her community in whatever capacity she can, so when an opportunity to sit on the Bonaparte Sales Limited Partnership board arose, she volunteered.

Michelle is excited to be a part of the development and growth of this entity and is equally excited to be serving the community and connecting with community members!