GPLIP Council and Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT)

GPLIP Council and Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT)

GPLIP Council

The GPLIP Council will strive for diverse representation of members on it. This includes diverse sectors, geographic representation, diverse immigrant representation, and diverse opinions. Council will be made up of between 15 and 19 members representing a combination of immigrants, community sector representatives (health, education, social services, justice, ethno-cultural groups), employers/business, local funders, municipal and immigrant service providers.

Members on Council would be expected to connect with all their groups and circles of influence, both locally and beyond, to ensure they bring various perspectives to Council, and take information back to the community.

Complete a GPLIP Council application here to join as a member.

GPLIP Mission:

The GPLIP Council will provide strategic leadership to the Local Immigration Partnership in Grande Prairie. The Council is responsible for ensuring the Community Action Plan outcomes are achieved, championing the work of the Immigration Partnership, enabling system and strategic planning, advocacy, and governance of the Immigration Partnership. The overall objective of the Council is to promote shared awareness and leadership and create enabling environments for collective action.

GPLIP Council Members

Member NameGPLIP PositionOrganization
Karna Germsheid2023-2026 ChairGrande Prairie Regional Sports Connection
Yad Minhas2022-2025 Vice-ChairMinhas Group
Leah Holler2023 Past ChairWomen Building Futures
Silvi Roses-DechantGPLIP CoordinatorCity of Grande Prairie
Ainsley MillerCouncil MemberCity of Grande Prairie - Economic Development (RRS Program)
Beverley Lavender-MarshCouncil MemberGovernment of Alberta - Alberta Jobs, Economy & Trade

Breanna Kluczny/ Alex  Racine/ Avery Brooks

Council Member(s)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Cecilia MzvondiwaCouncil MemberGovernment of Alberta/ Alberta Health Services/ One Point Law Office
Denise CarlsonCouncil MemberThe Work Place
Donat MpungaCouncil MemberGrande Prairie Centre for Newcomers
Gaitane Gilje/ Tinisha ZennerCouncil MemberGrande Prairie Family Education Society
Genevieve SavardCouncil MemberACFA régionale de Grande Prairie
Helen MacDonaldCouncil MemberSt. Joseph Catholic Church
Henri ChauvetCouncil MemberGrande Prairie Catholic School District
Hetti HulsCouncil MemberCounty of GP- Economic Development (RRS Program)
Isha SharmaCouncil MemberRBC Bank
Janine KozlowskiCouncil MemberUnited for Literacy
Kofi WareCouncil MemberATB Financial
Laura CaseleyCouncil MemberGrande Prairie Council for Lifelong Learning
Laurie Nirwal SinghCouncil MemberBengtsson Immigration Consulting 
Maureen EdomwonyiCouncil MemberGrande Prairie Intercultural Association
Nicole Bowes/ Wendy Knox/ Sarah WestfallCouncil Member(s)Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP)
Shawn GrahamCouncil MemberRCMP
Shelly DachukCouncil MemberOdyssey House
Solomon OkhifohCouncil MemberCounty of Grande Prairie
Tenille HolmCouncil MemberGrande Prairie Public Library
Wendy BoschCouncil MemberGrande Prairie City Council

 

Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT)

The IAT is working group solely made up of immigrants who are representative of the Grande Prairie community. Since integration is a two-way process that encourages adjustments on the part of both immigrants and the host Canadian society, it is important to engage immigrants to learn first-hand of the successes and challenges that they face when they arrive in Canada. Ultimately, the goal is to support them to become fully engage in economic, social, political and cultural life of Canada.

Complete a IAT application here to join as a member.

IAT Members

Member NameIAT PositionOrganization
Vacant2023-2026 ChairCommunity member
VacantPast Chair:Community member
Conor Coney (2021-2024)2021-2024 Vice ChairCommunity member
Silvi Roses-DechantGPLIP CoordinatorCity of Grande Prairie
Fatima GueyeGPICC AssistantCity of Grande Prairie
Atirek (Rickey) GoelIAT MemberCommunity member
Christian Dela PenaIAT MemberCommunity member
Gurdeep BindraIAT MemberCommunity member
Isabel Gaume BoyneIAT MemberCommunity member
Kanon ShahIAT MemberCommunity member
Kashmine ShahIAT MemberCommunity member
Maria MartinezIAT MemberCommunity member
Satbir BaidwanIAT MemberCommunity member
Shashi GoelIAT MemberCommunity member
Sheila Halushka IAT MemberCommunity member
Simran NagraIAT MemberCommunity member
Smitha PrakashIAT MemberCommunity member
Solomon OkhifohIAT MemberCommunity member
Tony NwamarahIAT MemberCommunity member

 

Click here for the GPLIP and IAT Terms of Reference