Chief of Police Keith Blake is proud to lead alongside the sworn and non-sworn members of Tosguna, and to serve the beautiful community of Tsuut’ina Nation. Chief Blake believes in the importance of providing community centered policing, adapting to meet the cultural and socioeconomic needs of the Tsuut’ina Peoples and to address root causes of crime.
After serving 24 years in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Keith Blake was sworn in as the 5th Chief of Police of the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service on May 16th, 2013.
Keith has been privileged to have completed all of his service in the Province of Alberta and experienced firsthand the culture, pride and honour in being a part of the policing in seven different First Nations communities across Alberta.
Keith’s operational and investigative policing experience includes both front line uniform policing, and plain clothes duties in specialized units which included postings as a General Investigation/Major Crime Investigator, Federal Drug Unit Investigator and Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) Investigator and Supervisor, Detachment Commander, Emergency Response Team Leader and Professional standards.
Chief Blake is invested in advocating for First Nations Policing, raising awareness and supporting solutions related to the challenges and triumphs of Indigenous Policing across our Country and he remains truly humbled to serve the visionary people of the Tsuut’ina Nation.
Brittany Ouellette
Brittany Ouellette, was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and her family comes from Kinonjeoshtegon Chippewa First Nation, while she also acknowledges her strong family roots within Treaty 7 and Metis Region 3. Sharing her life journey with her best friend Jamie and two sons, Brittany takes great pride in being an Indigenous woman who is actively participating in changing perspectives within the Justice System.
Brittany Ouellette began with the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service in 2015, and currently holds the role of Executive Officer. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and continues to pursue education through the University of Victoria, Masters of Community Development Program while actively advocating alongside other resilient community members to pave the road for future generations of Indigenous peoples in Alberta. With a strong commitment to Tsuut’ina Nation, Brittany continues to immerse herself in all aspects of the community and culture, which results in stronger community connections for the police service.
Insp. Quinn Jacques joined our Service in 2016. Prior to joining the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, Quinn served 25+ years with the Calgary Police Service – retiring as the Staff Sergeant in charge of the Guns and Gangs Unit. This unit was, and is, instrumental in combating gang activity in Calgary.
Quinn’s work experience includes assignments in the Criminal Intelligence Unit, the Drug Unit, the Integrated Response to Organized Crime Unit (IROC), the Gang Suppression Team and the Strike Force Unit. Quinn has spent the majority of his career either investigating, or managing gang, drug or organized crime offenses.
Marcia Gonder
In January 2022, Marcia Gonder joined the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service as the Manager of Strategic Services.
Prior to joining Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, Marci spent over 19 years with the Alberta Sheriffs Branch resigning at the rank of Assistant Chief. During her career Marci spent time in a variety of different units including, Protection Services, Court Security and Transport Services, and the Executive Protection Unit. Upon concluding her career with the Sheriffs, she was the first female to serve as Acting Chief, Assistant Chief and Superintendent.
She is the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, the Government of Alberta Leadership award as well as the Deb Jolly Leadership award. She is a proud member of the Alberta Women in Public Safety Committee (AWIPS) where she serves as the vice chair of the executive. AWIPS consists of large group of women leaders who work towards empowering and connecting women to assist in creating opportunities. Marci is extremely grateful to be a part of the progressive and innovative culture of Tosguna and the way in which the members serve and are a part of the Tsuut’ina Nation community.
Sizi Theresa Bohler at’a
Tunsi
My given name is Wapus meaning Rabbit in Cree. Although my Family and I have called Calgary home for over 20 years, I descend from a remote community – Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Northern Alberta.
I started with Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service over 16 years ago, and I am indescribably humbled and thankful for the people of this community who have welcomed me in as a colleague, friend and family! My role as the Information Manager /LRA (access control) involves maintaining the security of information whilst regulating the flow of records management. The role is integral to the Members as the rate at which work can be completed is dependent on the rate at which information can be transmitted to them. To rapidly and accurately disseminate information to the Members whilst ensuring data integrity and maintaining security is critical for Members and the community we serve.
When not in the office, I enjoy spending time with Family. I come from a Family of musicians and love music, although I can’t sing or play any instruments I am a very enthusiastic dancer.
Jolene McKinnon moved to Alberta from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 2015. She had the pleasure of beginning her career with Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service just a couple years later in July of 2017. Over the years she has taken on numerous roles within the service such as Administrative Assistant, Court Liaison and FOIP Disclosure Specialist, and her most current role of Operational Support Clerk.
Jolene is passionate about serving our community, and our members by assisting with legal proceedings, Police Information Checks, and other administrative duties. Prior to working with Tsuut’ina Police, Jolene gained valuable experience during her employment with the Nova Scotia Commissionaires. She prides herself by being a detail-oriented team player with strong, strategic, critical, and analytical thinking skills applied to risk management and task prioritization.
Jolene loves working for the Tsuut’ina Nation, where she has had the opportunity to learn more about First Nation culture, and traditions. She is determined to continue to support our members and looks forward to further building relationships here on Tsuut’ina Nation.
Rob Skolrood has been a Police Officer for 31 years'. His policing career is diverse, the scope of which covers duties related to the protection of the Prime Minister (PM) of Canada and his family, Emergency Response Team (ERT) Tactical Operations, Public Relations (Musical Ride), International Training and General Duty (GD) Policing.
Cpl. Skolrood has extensive international experience, foremost as a Team Leader (TL) of the Prime Minister's Protective Detail (PMPD) from 2011-2020, and as an ERT Team Leader (1997-2011). Internationally, he was deployed to locations in Asia, Africa (including Libya), Europe, North American, South America and the Middle East (Afghanistan / Jordan). Cpl. Skolrood has comprehensive leadership experience and excellent problem solving and decision-making abilities that were utilized in these fluid and challenging environments.
With over 25 years of expertise as a Police Trainer, he was deployed to Jordan in 2005 to instruct at the Jordanian International Police Training Center. Furthermore, he was also in charge of the Prime Minister’s Protective Detail (PMPD) training cadre from 2011 -2015, delivering role specific, advance tactical training to the members of PMPD. Proudly, Rob Skolrood joined the Tosguna family just over one year ago and is now the officer in charge of the training profile.
Inspector Healy has been with the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service for over sixteen (16) years. Previous to his time at Tsuut’ina, Inspector Healy started his career with the Siksika Nation Police Service, and then the Blood Tribe Police Service. With a wide exposure to different First Nations policing models, Insp. Healy has taken a significant leadership role within the TNPS.
During his time with the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, Inspector Healy has spearheaded major investigations, conducted high-level interviews, and been in charge of several patrol units.
Inspector Healy is currently in charge of the Operations Section of the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service. Inspector Healy is a proud member of the organization and dedicated to serving the Tsuut’ina Nation community.
Nancy Farmer joined the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service in April 2021, as the Senior Manager of Operations and has since transitioned to the Sergeant in charge of Operations.
Prior to joining Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, Nancy served 24.5 years with the Calgary Police Service retiring at the Inspector rank. Notably, she held the position of the Inspector in command of the Support Section; the only female in history. This section housed the Tactical Unit, Canine Unit, Air Services Unit, Mounted Unit and the Crisis Negotiations Unit.
Nancy’s policing experience is diverse and includes; Professional Standards Unit, Community and Youth, General Investigations Unit, Behavioral Sciences Unit, Duty Inspector, District and Tactical Commander. She held certification as a Crisis Negotiator, and was a Nationally Certified Critical Incident Commander.
In 2018, she received the Calgary Police Service, Chief’s award for Leadership having been in command of resources and tactics during a 33 hours hostage taking. Since 2019, she has proudly held an executive position with the Alberta Women in Public Safety Committee (AWIPS). AWIPS is a growing group of women leaders in public safety working to improve opportunities and outcomes for women. She is proud to say that their logo includes the morning star as a part of traditional creation teachings, for many nations. She is a born, adopted and raised Calgarian, she is married and has one daughter, four horses (for now) and two cats. She is extremely proud to work alongside the men and women of Tosguna and to serve the Community of Tsuut’ina Nation.
Danit’ada,
Corporal Jon Prystayko is from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has been policing for 10 years, in the Northwest Territories and Alberta with some special postings in other places. He enjoys outdoor activities, running, fixing things, and travelling. He is proud to work for the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service because they care about the community and are encouraged to do what is right, not what is fast or easy. Encouraging staff to do right by all people regardless of the difficulty is the method the service uses. Jon's Tsuut’ina nickname, given to him by the kids at the Junior Senior High School, is Dich’uzha Tsicia which means “chipmunk”.
Naniyistsoni.
Danit’ada
Constable Thomas BLAKNEY joined Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service in March of 2022. Prior to joining Tsuut’ina, Thomas spent fifteen years with the Alberta Justice Department (Strathmore Youth Development Centre and Calgary Young Offender Centre), seven years with the Calgary Police Service working in areas such as: General Investigations, Serious Habitual Offender Program, Fugitive Apprehension and Major Crimes. Thomas also served the RCMP for thirteen years with postings in Sicamous and Revelstoke, BC. Thomas was exposed to rural policing, including snowmobile, ATV and marine patrol. Thomas is a graduate of Police Science Studies from Mount Royal College. Thomas enjoys participating in sports, with hockey being one of his favorite past-times. Constable Thomas Blakney is eager to serve the people of Tsuut’ina and proudly represent the Tosguna.
Siyisgaas
After spending 12 years with the RCMP, Dawn joined the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service in 2010.
Dawn-Lyn was promoted to Cpl. in 2016 and has been actively involved and instrumental in the creation and development of the Community Response Unit (CRU) of the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service.
While in her position the unit evolved to three officers and one civilian who represented the Crime Prevention Coordinator position. Dawn-Lyn has been the driving force behind the TNPS’ community programs over the past eight years, in addition to her successful work as the inaugural Community Youth and Family Liaison Officer, a position created to build relationships with the youth in the community.
In 2017, Dawn-Lyn was promoted to Sgt. Where she is currently the NCO i/c of Operations. As part of her duties, Dawn provides oversight to all High Risk file investigations within the Service. Dawn-Lyn has investigated the majority of Major Crimes Investigations on the Tsuut’ina Nation since her arrival and is the primary interviewer for our major crimes investigations.
In 2017, Dawn-Lyn was the recipient of “Officer of the Year Award” from the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association and was presented her award in April 2017, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and in true fashion, was an excellent ambassador of our Service.
Dawn is presently Administrative Assistant for at Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, where she gladly handles the responsibilities of ongoing clerical support to the Community Impact & Innovation Section and the day-to-day operational needs of the Office of the Chief. She is constantly on the path of continuous learning: “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.” -B.B. King.
Born in Williams Lake, BC, adopted at young age and after many years of tireless searching for her biological ancestry: Cree (Driftpile FN) & T’exelcemc (people of Williams Lake First Nation, kindred of the Secwepemc Nation) and is now First Nations Status, registered with Driftpile Cree First Nation.
Dawn grew up in a non-aboriginal family (who are incredible!), but had no real knowledge of her ancestry, culture, or traditions. After moving to Calgary, she had the help of amazing people who helped her find her biological family, and she became “traditionally adopted” onto the Tsuut’ina Nation by numerous families, who have taught her much about the traditional knowledge she holds today and passes on to her children. She and her daughter just completed: ‘Basic Nehiyawewin’, this being a beginning of many steppingstones to learning their Cree language.
Dawn holds strong values and traditions of an Indigenous woman and hopes that her own children and younger generations are on the path of to being proud, strong, resilient Indigenous Peoples. “Children learn from what they see. We need to set an example of truth and action”.
Ninanaskohmohn!