Teneya Gwin

Teneya Gwin is a sixth-generation Métis woman who brings heart, courage, and deep cultural knowledge to every space she enters. A member of the Cunningham Clan and descendant of the Michel First Nation, Teneya is a mother, partner, daughter, sister, auntie, and colleague whose life and work are rooted in the values of kinship, truth, and care. Her approach blends strong facilitation skills with a deep respect for Indigenous traditions, making her a trusted guide in the work of reconciliation and inclusion.

Teneya is the founder of Eleven Eleven Consulting, a Métis-owned firm that works with governments, health institutions, and private organizations to create meaningful change in Indigenous engagement, policy development, and education. She has worked with nearly every First Nation, Métis Region, and Métis Settlement in Alberta, with project experience spanning transportation, land use and community planning, traditional land use studies, Indigenous placemaking, and more.

What sets Teneya apart is her ability to hold space for honest dialogue—especially in complex or emotionally charged environments. She brings clarity, warmth, and insight to every session, creating an environment where people can ask hard questions without fear of shame or blame. As she often says, “I’m happy to answer any question, as long as it comes from a place of kindness.”

Teneya and Anne Harding first met through IAP2 early in their careers and have been close collaborators since 2017. Together, they have co-developed and delivered Indigenous awareness and engagement training across the country, for non-profit, government, and corporate audiences. Their friendship and professional partnership reflect a deep mutual respect, shared values, and an ongoing commitment to walking together through the complexities of reconciliation.

Teneya is also a gifted educator, co-facilitating learning sessions with her mother, Elder and Dr. Carola Cunningham. Their work has brought Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and history into institutions such as Covenant Health, where their teachings have transformed how healthcare professionals understand the past—and show up differently for Indigenous patients today. In these sessions, Teneya shares truth with compassion, walking participants through the impacts of colonialism, the Indian Act, residential schools, and the Sixties Scoop, while holding space for healing, hope, and action.

Through storytelling, ceremony, and lived experience, Teneya helps people see the world through a different lens—one that honours Indigenous worldview and natural law, while encouraging non-Indigenous participants to reflect deeply on their role in reconciliation. Her goal is not just to raise awareness, but to inspire humility, curiosity, and real change.

Teneya’s work is grounded in her identity as a Métis woman and the responsibilities that come with it. She leads with humour, honesty, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to shift mindsets and systems. Whether she’s consulting on a community plan, leading a workshop, or sharing teachings around a circle, Teneya Gwin embodies what it means to lead with both strength and heart.

As she reminds us:

“Truth comes before reconciliation. When we take time to listen—to really listen—we create space for something new to grow.”