About

Kathryn Fournier is Cree and Ojibway on her mother’s side and a member of the Pinaymootang First Nation in Manitoba. She is Franco-Ontarian on her father’s side. She worked on innovative policy approaches at the former Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada until her retirement.  Kathryn has been active in reconciliation and right relations work with both the United Church and the Anglican Church of Canada and is currently the co-chair of the All My Relations Episcopal Panel of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.

Rev. Shane Goldie embodies a ministry alive with Spirit, rooted in his Christian faith, indigenous spirituality and identity—unapologetically shaped by his 2-Spirited journey. As a published theologian, he has written and contributed to workshops, conferences and global publications on Indigenous Spiritualities, Land Rights and Climate Justice and 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy. At 24, he is the youngest ordained minister in the United Church of Canada. He brings strong theological grounding, experience across rural and urban ministries, and a heart for community. He serves a congregation in Alberta where his leadership reflects a ministry rooted in authenticity, compassion, and commitment to helping communities thrive.

Rob Smith is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Keepers of the Vision. He is trained in accounting and served as SSSC’s Keeper of the Centre for seven years before retiring in 2023. He brings a lifetime of involvement in the United Church, including, currently, as co-chair of the Prairie Candidacy Board which gives him insight into the candidacy pathway for student ministers. As an ally of settler-descent, he lives in Pinawa, MB, in Treaty 3 territory, where he enjoys curling in the winter, picking wild blueberries in the summer and going for walks with his dog Finley in all seasons.

Rev. Connie Budd is a Diaconal Minister from Norway House Cree Nation. A graduate of Sandy-Saulteaux’s Ministry Training program in 2015, she walks both the Christian and Traditional Paths and is fluent in her language. She has served her community through her wise and calm presence at community drop-in centres, youth peace rallies and elder gatherings. She has led many blanket exercises to help people understand the impact of colonization. Connie is currently the minister of Raymond Flett Memorial United Church in Winnipeg.

Ed Bianchi brings close to four decades of experience as an ally advancing Indigenous rights and working alongside Indigenous communities and organizations on national and global education and advocacy initiatives. This includes 22 years with KAIROS Canada, seven years with the Aboriginal Rights Coalition, and almost a decade producing documentaries highlighting the stories and struggles of First Nations such as the Sechelt and the Lubicon Lake Cree. A co-founder of Friends of the Lubicon, Ed helped lead a successful international boycott that continues to protect Lubicon territory today. Now retired, Ed lives in Ontario.

Rhonda Johns, Bear Clan from Six Nations in Ontario, is a dedicated community leader with over fourteen years of experience serving as Program Coordinator for Nations Uniting Outreach Ministry. She brings a deep commitment to healing, arts-based programming, and supporting Residential School Survivors, along with active leadership through her second term on the Candidacy Board with eh United Church of Canada. A proud mother and grandmother, Rhonda is guided by her strong community values and heartfelt service. 

The Rev. Dr. Teresa Burnett-Cole serves as Coordinating Minister at Glebe-St. James United Church in Ottawa, Ontario- bringing together her deep grounding in music, history, pastoral theology, and Indigenous worship traditions. A biracial Mohawk-Irish leader, she moves with care between Indigenous and Settler worlds, shaping ministries that honour both. Her decades of service—from local congregations to national Indigenous governance in the United Church—reflect her commitment to bridging cultures, strengthening worship, and amplifying Indigenous voices in the life of the church. When she isn’t working, Teresa loves creating art and spending time outdoors with her spouse, Ruth, and their dog.

Robert Greene is an Anishinaabe Elder from Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation, who carries a lifetime of experience shaped by resilience, healing, and community leadership. A survivor of the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School, he returned home to serve his Nation, including ten years as a councilor, before being called to the path of Anishinaabe spirituality through the conferring of a sacred bundle at age 43. Over the decades, Robert has served as an Elder, Spiritual Caregiver, and Complex Trauma Therapist across health, justice, and community settings, including roles at Selkirk Mental Health Centre, Milner Ridge Correctional Centre, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He retired in 2025 after years of dedicated service supporting healing, cultural resurgence, and spiritual care.

Crystal Chagnon is a Métis woman with the passion to help others as a psychotherapist and art therapist. She brings over twenty years of experience supporting individuals and families through trauma recovery, addiction treatment, palliative care, and community-based healing. Trained in psychotherapy, spirituality, and a wide range of therapeutic modalities, she integrates holistic, mind-body approaches with evidence-based practice. Crystal has served in diverse roles across Manitoba—including palliative care, crisis intervention, and program development—while maintaining a deep commitment to creating spaces for spiritual connection and community wellness. Creative, compassionate, and grounded in Indigenous values, she brings strong leadership, assessment, and collaboration skills to every environment she serves.

Janet Kewaquom-Root and Donna Moore are the ministry student representatives to the Keepers of the Vision.