Our Staff
Melanie Osmack
Acting Director
Melanie Osmack is a 3rd generation settler of Northern European descent with Cree ancestry on her mother’s side. She lives with her family as a guest on the unceded and continuously occupied territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, also known as Vancouver B.C. She has a strong connection to her family and nature, spending her free time connecting with her loved ones and exploring the outdoors.
In her role as acting director, Melanie supports our board of directors and leads our staff team. She is dedicated to our strategic priorities: acting as a support mechanism for Indigenous physicians, residents, and students; advocating against anti-Indigenous racism; strengthening the association through capacity building; and advancing the health of Indigenous nations, communities, and individuals. You can contact her at melanie.osmack@ipacamic.ca
Tom Lindsay
Membership and Mentorship
Tom is mixed European and Cree from One Arrow, Saskatchewan, but has lived in Ottawa for most of his life with the exception of spending most of his twenties in China. Since completing his degree in biology he has worked in the area of Indigenous health in various forms in policy analysis, Indigenous engagement, and in Indigenous data governance to name a few.
He is very passionate about everything related to science, and loves science-fiction, so feel free to geek out with him if you have the chance.
He enjoys biking, swimming, and playing and gaming with his two sons Chayton and Kanen.
Ariel John
Administrative Manager
Ariel’s Inuvialuk name is ikilanna and her name ênêhiyawêwin (in Cree is) mahkêsis iskwêw. Her mother is from Tuktoyaktuk, NT and her father is from Onion Lake Cree Nation, SK. Ariel has a Bachelor of Education: Secondary Route from the University of Alberta where she focused on both Biology and Cree as a Second Language.
Ariel has a wide range of life and work experience — the latter including twelve years with the Canadian Armed Forces, a summer with the Canadian Coast Guard in one of their Arctic Programs, and, more recently, time spent teaching junior high & high school in two different Indigenous communities. After work, Ariel can be found spending time with her nieces and nephews, working out at the gym, or hunting with her dad.
Since joining the team at IPAC, Ariel has provided administrative, technical, communications, and event support to both Staff and Board.
Kayla Knelsen
Finance and HR Manager
Kayla is Métis from Manitoba. She grew up in a small rural community 35 minutes south of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She now lives in St. Malo, Manitoba, which is located on Treaty 1 Territory, in the rural municipality of De Salaberry with her husband, two children and two dogs.
Kayla has worked in the health care field as a health care aide and as a support worker to adults with intellectual disabilities. For the last 9 years she has worked in finance for both a non-profit organization and a for-profit company. She is excited to join the IPAC team as Administrative and Finance Coordinator.
In her free time she enjoys watching racing, camping and participating in ATV derby’s with friends and family.
Rochelle Mathieu
Event and Administrative Coordinator
Rochelle is mixed European descent from Calgary, Alberta. After several moves around British Columbia and Alberta, she currently resides with her partner in Strathmore, Alberta where she is grateful to live, work and play as a guest on unceded Treaty 7 Territories and Region 3 Métis land of Southern Alberta. Rochelle has a certificate in Medical Office Administration; Social Work: Policy, Practice and Procedure; and Event Planning and Management. She has a background in caregiving, and as a family service support worker for both adults and children with diverse needs. In the past several years she has gained both experience and education in event planning and coordination, as well as general management and event management. In her spare time Rochelle likes to travel, cook, and spend time with family.
