Meet the Team

Kallie Wood is the President and CEO of the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) and is a proud member of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation located on Treaty Four Territory in Saskatchewan. Kallie was formerly the Senior Indigenous Advisor for the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan. She holds a Master of Leadership and Management studies degree and is a mother to four beautiful children and kokum to four grandchildren. As a foster parent, Kallie has many children who call her mom.  

Kallie has her feet planted firmly on Mother Earth and realizes that the Creator has blessed us with the gift of each day. She is a life-long learner with 35-years of experience in leadership roles with experience in organizational change, strategic planning, and program delivery with extensive experience in relationship building, reconciliation, and education.  Kallie also sits on several Board of Governors across the nation, sharing a voice for Indigenous engagement and building relationships.  

Having grown up in a small community surrounded by friends and family in agriculture, Kallie is excited about the journey in supporting First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples in sustainable agriculture and food opportunities through listening, learning, and implementing change. Bringing together voices and a community of partners through the sharing of agriculture practices and business knowledge from Indigenous leaders, geographical, intergenerational, and industry-wide representation to support business creation, advance capacity building through education and training, and connect Indigenous Peoples to valuable networks, resources, and funding opportunities while honouring their tradition, lands, and Mother Earth is a recipe for success in economic growth for the good of all.   

Kallie has received numerous awards for her time commitment to reconciliation, most recently awarded as one of the twenty-two most empowered and influential women internationally in 2023. She is a recognized and sought after keynote speaker and Indigenous Advisor on Indigenous issues. She is a recognized advocate, researcher and transformational change leader driven by harnessing the intrinsic value of every voice that fosters deeper conversations and a sense of belonging and appreciation in many contexts globally. She has a palpable ability to inspire and ignite a brighter future through Indigenous histories, stories, ways of knowing and being towards a better future for our children, grandchildren and those not yet born.  

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Kate Fraser is the Reconciliation & Capacity Specialist for the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food. I am a devoted mother to two toddler twins who inspire me everyday and wife to a wonderful Métis man. I am a proud alumnus of the University of Western Ontario and further enriched by career through agile project management certification.  

Agriculture has been an integral part of my life, having been raised on a farm in Southwestern Ontario. I have dedicated my career to serving the Canadian agriculture industry, which has spanned various sectors within our vibrant industry, from Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.  I am passionate about educating both the youth and the wider public about the origins of their food and the vital role of agriculture. It’s my goal to ignite a curiosity and appreciation for the journey from farm to table, fostering a well-informed and connected community. For the past six years, I have been dedicated to Farm Credit Canada, contributing significantly to both Marketing and Operations. 

I approach the path of reconciliation with profound respect and a deep sense of responsibility. I have a strong aspiration to support and empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, fostering greater engagement and enthusiasm within the industry that holds my heart. Together, we can build a future that celebrates the richness of Indigenous cultures. 

Terry Lerat is the ReconciliAG Advisor for the NCIAF and a lifelong resident of Cowessess First Nation, where agriculture has been an influential part of my entire life. As a devoted husband and father of three, I proudly serve as a Councilor of Cowessess First Nation. 

I began helping my father with his mixed farm operation at a young age and continued to farm with him into the late 1970s. I enrolled in many agriculture modules, earning approximately 20 different certificates through what is now Saskatchewan Polytechnic to learn more about agriculture production. During this time, I worked for 10 years as a pasture rider and was promoted to pasture manager for PFRA and then I had a custom grazing operation until 2012. In 1976, started my own cattle operation with support from the Saskatchewan Indian Agriculture Program (SIAP).  

I was a heavy equipment operator for approximately 15 years into the 1990s. Most of my career was spent with Double Bar D Farms in Grenfell, SK, from 1999-2018. They operate a large mixed farm with both purebred Red Angus and Simmentals. This is where I learned most about good farming practices and agriculture production, particularly cattle genetics and running a successful cattle operation. I also worked for the Cowessess Lands Leasing department in both 1999 and 2007. I retired from Double Bar D Farms in late 2018 to continue building my own cattle operation.  

With support of Cowessess Chief and Council, I founded 4C Farms on the Cowessess First Nation’s lands in 2007, launching a community-driven initiative to cultivate our agricultural heritage through cattle ranching and farming. This endeavor not only harnesses the potential of our lands but also revitalizes our community’s connection to agriculture. We started with 25 Angus cow-calf pairs in 2007 and in 2023, we had 260 cow-calf Angus pairs. From 2019-2023, I was the Manager of 4C Farms, bringing grain farming to our operation. In 2019, we started with 350 cultivated acres and in 2023 we increased to 5,600 acres.  

Through my role with the NCIAF, I want to help open the door of opportunities for First Nations across Canada. There are many facets to agriculture from the smallest honeybee to the large bison and everything in between. My goal is to bring the spirit and intent of the treaties by bringing farming to First Nations across Canada. First Nations should utilize their lands to be self-sustaining. In the next 5 years, I would like to see every First Nation in Canada involved in agriculture and working towards being independently owned and operated. Agriculture can be influential in healthy lifestyles for all community members and it’s important to involve the youth, so they know where their food comes from.  

Tianna-Lee George-Peepeetch is the Student Intern for the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF). As a passionate advocate for Indigenous development, I am deeply honored to work with the National Circle of Indigenous Agriculture and Food. As I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the First Nations University, I wholeheartedly support NCIAF's initiatives. I believe that true reconciliation involves creating equal, sustainable, and viable opportunities and collaborations for Indigenous peoples. 

I am a proud member of Zagime Anishinabek on Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan, and a mother to an adventurous and curious little boy. His boundless imagination has taught me the importance of dreaming big to shape our future. It's a lesson that resonates deeply with my work at NCIAF. 
The most rewarding aspect of my job is the genuine engagement and connection with Indigenous communities. It’s a journey of self-discovery and cultural immersion that I deeply value, especially coming from an urban upbringing. 

My journey into the realm of Indigenous agriculture and food began with a year-long tenure at the Ministry of Agriculture, where I worked in both the Indigenous engagement unit and communications branch. There, I collaborated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by the common goal of providing food security and sustainability to Saskatchewan families. It was during this time that I discovered the profound connection between culture, land, and sustenance. 

Throughout my internship at NCIAF, I am eager to participate in various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices, supporting Indigenous farmers and producers, and building something from the ground up. Through collaborative efforts with communities, stakeholders, and organizations, I hope to contribute to meaningful and ongoing efforts to reclaim, celebrate, and support generations. 

I am thrilled to be part of the NCIAF team and am excited to learn, grow, and make a positive impact alongside fellow advocates and allies.