Brandon Maracle
Executive Director
Brandon Karonhyatatye Maracle is the Executive Director of Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest. Prior to his time with KNCLN, Brandon gained valuable experience in the non-profit world working in supportive housing and shelter environments and through his legal work in both clinic and firm environments where he took particular interest in areas of law including human rights, Landlord Tenant Board matters, prison law, and Aboriginal law. Brandon is a passionate advocate for language revitalization and community empowerment.
Brandon is Kanyen'keha:ka from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. He holds his Juris Doctor as well as a degree in linguistics from Queen's University, and he lives in Odessa, Ontario with his family.
Taylor Arndt
Alternative Secondary School Program Coordinator
Taylor Arndt (Tye) is the Alternative Secondary School Program Coordinator for the River Program at Katarokwi Learning Centre, where she focuses on fostering culturally relevant, inclusive education tailored to the unique needs and strengths of Indigenous youth in our urban community. With Ojibwe, Celtic, and French-Canadian heritage, Taylor walks with two-eyed seeing, holding reverence for both Anishinaabe and Celtic teachings. Raised in Kingston, she finds deep inspiration in the land and community that shaped her, grounding her commitment to creating safe, empowering spaces for youth. Taylor holds a BA (Honours) in English and French and a BEd from Queen’s University through the Indigenous Teacher Education Program. She is currently pursuing a Master of Education in the WISE program, with research centered on how cultural art forms support student wellbeing and engagement.
As an educator, Taylor brings a trauma-informed, holistic, land-based, and strength-based methodology to her work, integrating arts and community collaboration into her trans-disciplinary approach to curriculum development. Outside of school, she is a beadwork and multi-media artist, having led community workshops at venues like Modern Fuel and the Kingston School of Art. She is happiest when paddling the stern of a canoe somewhere in the bush, happier still when with her pup.
Taylor is grounded in her belief that education must tend to the whole student—mind, body, heart, and spirit—and is grateful to work alongside a team equally committed to nurturing educational environments that share this belief.
Molly Cassiano
Indigenous HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) Home Visitor
Molly is passionate about helping children and families succeed and supporting parents as they become strong teachers of their children. Molly, who hails from Kingston, brings both educational and practical experience to her role with the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program. She holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Social Work, has worked in daycares and kindergarten classrooms, and has taken specific courses focused on Indigenous culture and social work. She enjoys going outside for walks and hikes, refurbishing furniture, baking, and spending time with her family.
Laura Cybulski
Operations Manager
Laura supports the day-to-day functioning of the organization and helps foster a safe, welcoming space for community members to gather, learn, and connect. Laura’s Family roots are in Nunatsiavut (Labrador), and she carries with her a deep commitment to creating inclusive, community-driven spaces grounded in care and belonging.
Prior to joining KNCLN, Laura worked with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami in Policy Advancement, where she contributed to national initiatives focused on the wellbeing of Inuit communities. She continues to carry that dedication into her work in Kingston, ensuring that organizational operations reflect and respond to the needs of Indigenous peoples in urban settings.
Laura is grounded in her belief that behind every good program is a strong, caring infrastructure—and she is proud to be part of a team working collectively to build spaces that nurture safety, growth, and connection.
Lynda Gerow
Program Manager
Lynda is from the Tsil’Kaz’Koh Wet’suwet’en Nation in Burns Lake, British Columbia. Her teachings are mostly Anishinaabe and Mohawk. Mukade Miiagan is her spirit name which means Black Wolf. Lynda was one of the founding members of our precursor organization, the Kingston Indigenous Language Nest. Lynda’s education and professional experience are in social work, community programming, harm reduction and early childhood education. Lynda holds many positions of responsibility throughout the community, as a Firekeeper and Powwow Dancer, President of the local Ontario Native Women’s Association chapter, and is a member of the Katarokwi Grandmother’s Council. Lynda is a mother, a Kookom ( grandmother) and an Auntie both in her own family and in the community. Lynda’s vision for the Centre is that it becomes a safe place for the community to gather, grow, learn, heal and celebrate together.
Aidan Jeffrey
Articling Law Student
Aidan Jeffrey is an Articling Law Student with KNCLN, working under the supervision of Queen’s Legal Aid. He recently earned his law degree from Swansea University. Prior to his studies, Aidan, who has both Mohawk and Scottish heritage, was actively involved in supporting Indigenous communities in the Toronto area, including volunteering with the Toronto Police Aboriginal Walkabout Program. Aidan also plays lacrosse and hopes to launch a lacrosse camp in Kingston.
Dakota-Marie Oliver
Akwe:kon Coordinator
Dakota is Mohawk Bear clan. Born and raised in Kingston. Dakota loves making connections with community and providing supports where she can. Dakota has previously worked at and attended Queen's University, graduating with a BAH.
Dakota leads the Akwe:kon program, a children’s group for ages 7–12 at Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest. With Mohawk, Scottish, and Irish roots, Dakota brings creativity and cultural pride into every activity, often incorporating hands-on crafts that spark imagination and connection.
Passionate about community and the environment, Dakota takes part in the annual Water Walk ceremony, raising awareness for clean drinking water on reserves and honoring the life-giving movement of water by Mother Earth. Through Akwe:kon, Dakota creates a welcoming space where children can learn, grow, and celebrate culture together.
Susan Peters
Apatisiwin Program Coordinator
Sue brings a diverse background shaped by service, compassion, and dedication. She has previously worked as an Indigenous Liaison Officer and a Registered Practical Nurse where she supported individuals through culturally informed, trauma-aware, and strength-based approaches.
Sue is deeply committed to uplifting Indigenous community members as they pursue their education, training, and employment goals. She believes in meeting people where they are, honouring their stories, and walking alongside them as they build confidence, skills, and long-term career success.
With a strong sense of responsibility to community, Sue’s work is guided by respect, compassion, and cultural understanding. She is passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces where individuals feel valued, supported, and proud of their identity. Her goal is to help strengthen pathways to economic well-being while nurturing the gifts, strengths, and potential of every person she works with.
Yessica Rivera Belsham - Ocelopacihuatl
Care Support Worker
Yessica is a Registered Practical Nurse and a Teaching Artist with a diverse background in healthcare, education, and multidisciplinary arts.
Yessica has been involved with a wide range of communities of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds with hands-on personal care as well as providing healing through a multidisciplinary arts connection; predominantly drumming and singing. Her work has spanned across Turtle Island (North America), with a focus on Ontario, Canada; Hawai'i, USA; and Michoacán, México.
She is an avid Náhuatl language learner and has a love and appreciation for all languages and cultures. She remains deeply rooted to her cultural heritage, family, and community ties from the tail end of Turtle Island: México. One of her goals was to find a position that encompassed community, arts, culture, health, wellness, and she feels she has found that at Kingston Native Centre & Language Nest in the Life Long Care Program.
Kearstie Snary
Family Wellness and Mental Health Manager
Kearstie provides holistic and culture-based supports to be responsive to the needs of mental health and addictions for urban Indigenous individuals and families, with a focus on trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches. She provides support to individual and group services including peer counselling, sharing circles, and other traditional and land-based activities that support the achievement of a Good Mind. Kearstie is a graduate of the Child and Youth Worker program at St. Lawrence College, and holds certifications in Addictions, Mental Health, and Counselling.
Kearstie has a passion for working with people and supporting our community with a focus of navigating and maintaining our wellness and healing. She has been supporting the Kingston community for over 10 years in a variety of social services, school boards, early childhood education, and specialized programs. In her free time, you can find her at the lake, doing yoga, creating art, or writing poetry.
Deb St Amant
Elder in Residence
Deb St Amant (Bezhig Waabshke Ma’iingan Gewetigaabo) was one of the founding Grandmothers of the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest. Deb’s father was Métis from Penetanguishene (originally Drummond Islanders) and she, her sons, and her mother are members of Henvey Inlet First Nation (Ojibwe). Deb embraces both cultures. She was brought up speaking French, English, and Ontario Michif and, since 2015, has been learning Anishinaabemowin and Kanienkeha.
Deb was a French as a Second Language teacher for 30 years, retiring in 2012.
Deb was the first Indigenous person elected to the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO)’s provincial executive and in 2016 was made the first Indigenous Honorary Life Member of ETFO. She has been a governor of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, has served on the Canadian Teachers’ Federation’s Indigenous Issues Committee, and represented Canadian Teachers of Indigenous ancestry at Education International in Cape Town, South Africa.
Deb is a first-degree mide in the Minweyweygan midewewin lodge on Manitoulin Island.
Annie Wapachee
Kitchen Coordinator
Annie is a proud member of the Cree Nation of Oujé-Bougoumou, and is originally from the Eeyou Istchee region in James Bay, Quebec. Annie's culinary journey began in Toronto from 2015 to 2016, where she worked in catering and learned a lot about creating delicious and culturally rich meals including serving hot, nourishing meals at an elders' home.
She is also an experienced entrepreneur, having sold a curated selection of clothes, shoes, and other items, connecting with diverse communities and reservations and understanding their needs.
Community service is essential to Annie, and she finds fulfillment and purpose in helping KNCLN to grow and in using her skills and passion for community engagement to make a positive impact.