Real work. Real mentorship. Career pathways for the next generation.
IN THIS BLOG
- Meet the four Tsuut’ina Nation students now working across Taza in accounting, administration, sustainability, and community engagement.
- Hear from each of them about their goals, their work, and what this summer means for their futures.
- See how Taza’s commitment to creating employment pathways for Tsuut’ina youth shows up in practice, not just on paper.
Taza is one of North America’s most significant developments, guided by the Taza Leadership Team—a group that blends cultural integrity with disciplined execution. Their shared approach—partnership-first governance, intentional design, and long-term stewardship—moves Taza from vision to reality and demonstrates what’s possible when community priorities lead and strategy follows.
At Taza, we believe the strongest developments are built by and for the communities they serve. This summer, that belief takes shape in four exceptional Tsuut’ina Nation students. They are working across accounting, administration, land development, and community engagement. Each placement reflects Taza’s commitment to creating meaningful employment pathways for Tsuut’ina youth.
These are not just summer jobs. They are the beginning of careers. They are a direct investment in the people who will lead Tsuut’ina Nation forward. Meet Keegan, Josie, Charlize, and Ayvah. Read their stories and discover the futures they are building at Taza.
from ledger to legacy
Keegan Runner, Accounting Summer Student
Keegan supports the Taza finance team with invoice processing, accruals, and account reconciliations. He is enrolled in the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan. He is working toward his CPA designation and a Master of Professional Accounting. Taza gives him a place to put his education to work. The mentorship he receives from the team is sharpening both his technical skills and his professional judgment.
Growing up on Tsuut’ina Nation, Keegan always hoped to see economic development that respected the land. He wanted growth that honoured the cultural and spiritual significance of the territory. At Taza, he sees that balance in practice every day. This summer has confirmed something he already suspected: the Nation’s future is in good hands.
operations with purpose
Josie Eagletail, Office Administrator Summer Student
Josie is a mother of two and a proud Tsuut’ina Nation member. She is pursuing a Diploma in Indigenous Social Work through Maskwacis Cultural College. As Taza’s Office Administration Summer Student, she keeps daily operations running smoothly. Her work covers administrative coordination, meeting preparation, and office organization. She makes the office a welcoming place for everyone who walks through the door.
Before joining Taza, Josie was curious about what it takes to build a project of this scale. Her experience here has answered those questions directly. She has gained a clear view of the planning, collaboration, and care behind the development. She has seen how Taza integrates Tsuut’ina culture, language, and environmental values into everything it builds. That understanding deepens her commitment to a career in Indigenous social work.
where land and leadership meet
Charlize Littlelight, Sustainability Summer Student
Charlize is completing her final semester in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the University of British Columbia. Her passion sits at the intersection of environmental stewardship, Indigenous governance, and responsible development. For her, working at Taza is not just a summer role. It is an alignment of values.
As a Sustainability Summer Student, Charlize assists with sustainability documentation, presentations, land-use planning, and future parks and community spaces. This work has deepened her appreciation for how Taza balances economic growth with environmental responsibility. It reinforces that every decision at Taza is made with Tsuut’ina Nation’s values at the centre. This experience has strengthened her resolve to build a career in support of Indigenous communities.
amplifying the community’s story
Ayvah Crowchild, Community Experience Summer Student
Ayvah is completing her Marketing Certificate at SAIT. She plans to build a career in marketing. Her long-term goal is to support Indigenous people in the fashion and film industries. At Taza, she found a place where her skills and her community’s future connect.
As our Community Experience Summer Student, Ayvah supports engagement initiatives, programs, and events. Her work includes supporting cultural training sessions, facilitating the Youth AI Audio Project, and participating in meetings with Nation leadership and Elders. These conversations have given her a grounded understanding of the perspectives that guide Taza’s work. That perspective is something she will carry far beyond this summer.
A Commitment That Outlasts the Summer
Keegan, Josie, Charlize, and Ayvah each bring something distinct to Taza. They bring unique goals, lived experiences, and a shared connection to Tsuut’ina Nation. If you want to understand what Taza’s commitment to Tsuut’ina youth actually looks like, their stories say it best.
This is not a seasonal initiative. It is a long-term commitment. Taza’s role is to create opportunities that matter and to open doors that stay open. These four students will leave the summer with stronger skills and broader networks. They carry with them a deeper understanding of what Indigenous-led development can accomplish.
