Our Team
The Destination Blackfoot team is dedicated to highlighting Blackfoot-owned tourism. By supporting local operators and celebrating Blackfoot culture, they help share experiences that are authentic, meaningful, and community-driven.
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Cassie Ayoungman is a proud Siksika’ki (Blackfoot woman) from Siksika Nation, Alberta, and has been part of the Destination Blackfoot journey since 2025.
She is the founder of Soul of Miistaki, an Indigenous-led not-for-profit that brings people together through hiking, climbing, biking, and skiing while sharing culture, land-based experiences, and connection to the mountains. Soul of Miistaki has also been featured as an operator within Destination Blackfoot.
Her path has been shaped by sport, service, and time on the land. From basketball and the Bold Eagle program to finding her way into mountain spaces, she recognized the need for stronger Indigenous presence and representation outdoors. Soul of Miistaki grew from that vision, creating space to gather, move, and learn through Siksikaitsitapi ways of knowing and responsibility to place.
Now working as Promotion Coordinator with Destination Blackfoot, Cassie supports and amplifies Blackfoot-owned operators across the Confederacy. Her work strengthens partnerships, uplifts community voices, and helps share Blackfoot tourism in a way that reflects the people and culture behind it. She also works as a paramedic and is an Arc'teryx Alberta Ambassador.
Her film, Iikaiksimatsa’pao’p (Grateful To Be On The Land) highlights her story and the work of Soul of Miistaki, and has been featured at festivals including the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Her work has also been featured in Mountain Life Media and Canadian Geographic. While she served as a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces for 11 years, Cassie was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and various accolades.
Promotions Coordinator, Destination Blackfoot - Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
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Theoren is a Niitsitapi communications and marketing professional with roots in Siksika Nation and Amskapi Piikani. He serves as Manager of Corporate Affairs and Communications for the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council, representing the collective interests of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Amskapi Piikani Nations.
His work oversees and supports Confederacy wide priorities through strategic communications, government relations, and the coordination of high level initiatives that advance Nation-led governance and long term planning.
With more than a decade of experience across human and social services, intergovernmental relations, economic development, tourism, energy, retail, agri-business, public health, emergency management, and investment sectors, he leads the development and execution of integrated communications and marketing strategies. His portfolio includes executive level messaging, major event coordination, stakeholder engagement, and digital media systems that strengthen organizational presence across local, national, and international platforms. He has contributed to initiatives such as Destination Blackfoot, cross border advocacy efforts, and Confederacy wide programs aligned with strategic policy and governance objectives.
His expertise spans corporate, internal, external, and stakeholder communications, including crisis communications, investor relations, and Indigenous engagement. He develops press releases, reports, speeches, articles, and digital content, supported by capabilities in branding, storytelling, and digital media. His work includes strategy and policy development, project management, corporate relations, and large scale event execution.
Prior to his current role he served as Corporate Relations Manager with Siksika Group of Companies, in a number of Industries as the economic arm of the Nation, where he led corporate communications, stakeholder relations, and brand strategy in alignment with executive leadership and Nation economic priorities, supporting growth, investment, and long term positioning. He also led communications for Siksika Family Services Corporation and served as Public Information Officer for Siksika Nation Emergency Management, providing communications leadership during high priority and rapidly evolving situations.
Earlier in his career, he worked with Siksika Nation Employment and Training Services and Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park in marketing and public engagement roles. His interests include photography, art, graphic design, and music as creative outlets, along with travelling and exploring the outdoors in all seasons, with a focus on hiking and running, having completed two half marathons within the past year.
He holds a Bachelor of Management in Marketing from the Dhillon School of Business at the University of Lethbridge. His work is grounded in advancing the well being and interests of Siksikaitsitapi and supporting outcomes that serve First Nations people through strategic, clear, and effective communication.
Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager - Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
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Kimmy Shade, a member of the Kainai Blood Tribe, serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council in 2025 but with the Tribal Council since 2018. She brings more than 25 years of experience in Indigenous governance, environmental leadership, economic development, and intergovernmental affairs.
Kimmy has had a long career focused on advancing Nation led priorities and strengthening institutional capacity across the Blackfoot Confederacy.
Since joining the Confederacy in 2018 as Director of Environment and Economic Development, she has led major initiatives that position the Confederacy as a leader in Nation based innovation and implementation. Her work includes the establishment of the Blackfoot Guardianship Rocky Mountain East Slopes Project, recognized in 2023 for integrating Blackfoot knowledge and Western science in land protection. She also led the development of Destination Blackfoot, recognized by Indigenous Tourism Alberta in 2024, and founded the Blackfoot Entrepreneur Business Network to support Siksikaitsitapi entrepreneurs.
Her governance experience includes service on the Blood Tribe Police Commission from 2019 to 2023, supporting community safety and oversight, and on the Alberta First Nations Women’s Council on Economic Security from 2013 to 2015, advising on land, justice, environment, and economic inclusion. She currently serves on the Premier’s Council on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2 Spirited plus People, contributing to legislative and policy reform in Alberta.
In June 2025, she represented the Blackfoot Confederacy at the Jay Treaty Border Alliance meetings in Washington, DC, engaging with United States federal departments and members of Congress on cross border Indigenous rights.
She holds a Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge and has held senior roles within the Government of Alberta and the Blood Tribe Housing Authority. Her leadership is defined by a collaborative approach that brings together diverse partners to advance Blackfoot priorities and long term strategic outcomes.
Chief Executive Officer - Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
