District Council
District Council of
Medicine Hat Métis District 2
Our district council for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is responsible for representing Métis community members within Medicine Hat, advocating for their rights and interests, supporting local initiatives, and promoting Métis culture and traditions. We serve as a bridge between the community and the provincial government, organize local events, address community concerns, and work to strengthen Métis identity and well-being in their area.
Heather Seale
District Captain
Heather Seale (née Schnell) is a proud Métis woman born and raised in Medicine Hat, where she and her husband raised their three daughters—the seventh generation of her family to live here. Her deep roots trace back to 1765 through Métis families including the Johnson, Bray, McKay, Sinclair, Cocking, and Favell lines.
A dedicated mother and community volunteer, Heather is known for her volunteer work with youth sports, seniors’ country pet visits, and equine hippotherapy programs that support youth speech development. She is passionate about preserving and sharing Métis culture, especially traditional harvesting, natural medicines, and land-based knowledge. To Heather, family is at the heart of what it means to be Métis.
Heather is honoured to serve as the Medicine Hat Métis District Captain with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and is eager to represent her community, safeguard Métis traditions, and advocate for resources and opportunities for all Métis citizens. She is deeply grateful for the trust placed in her and for the opportunity to represent the citizens of Medicine Hat District.
April Aaker
Secretary
April is a devoted individual and proud mother of one daughter. She is a Metis Artisan and enjoys creating different aspects of the Metis Culture. She enjoys camping and relaxing with friends in the wide-open spaces. April has lived her entire life within the Medicine Hat Métis District 2, and her family has a rich history within Medicine Hat, dating back generations. Her Métis ancestral names include Aaker, Gladu, Boyer, Pinay and Cayenne. Her family was a huge part of the Metis Community known as Saratoga Park.
After completing her Office Administration Program at the Medicine Hat College, April established a successful career with the City of Medicine Hat in the Finance Department for the past 21 years. Committed to giving back to her community, April sits on the board of the local Firekeepers Women’s Society and volunteers her time with the Medicine Hat College in helping with the Annual Round Dance and other Indigenous ceremonies held at the Omahksipiitaa facilities at the Medicine Hat College
Her connection to her Métis heritage has been a great part of who she is, and she is excited to pay it forward. She is proud to be part of Medicine Hat Metis District Council to support and empower others in the Métis community.
Pat Aaker
Treasurer
Pat Aaker is a Councillor for Medicine Hat Métis District 2 and a lifelong advocate for Métis community growth and connection.
Born in Winnipeg, Pat is the third born to Walter Gladue and Margaret (Mitchell). Family names are Gladue, Vivier, Hogue, Desjarlais to name a few. Pat’s family moved to Alberta in 1967 where Pat finished her schooling and Business Administration Diploma from Medicine Hat College. Pat spent 27 years in the broadcast industry, advancing to Traffic Manager for two radio stations and one TV station.
A long-time member of the Métis Nation, she helped establish local offices and community spaces, and now serves as Chair of the Firekeepers Women’s Society, partnering with Medicine Hat College to promote truth, reconciliation, and cultural pride.
Pat and her husband Henry have been married since 1972 and are proud parents of two and
grandparents of four.
Laurie Oulette
Council Member
Laurie Oulette identifies as Red River Métis and Rocky Cree. Her documented family history spans 170 years, including over a dozen ancestors who participated in the Battle of Batoche. Notably, her great-great-great-great-grandfather joined the conflict at the age of 93 to advocate for future generations. Motivated by this heritage, Oulette pursued a role as district councillor to advance self-governance initiatives. The term ‘Otipemisiwak signifies collective self-determination and identity.
Oulette holds an Indigenous Social Work Degree from Kainai First Nations Red Crow College, where she is recognized as the Dancing Social Worker. She serves as Artistic Director of Sunworks Arts and Cultural Society, which now operates under the Matriarch Movement Foundation. Oulette actively promotes Indigenous culture through dance, acting, and storytelling. She has produced, directed, and written ‘Strength of the Métis,’ available on YouTube. In her work, she honours her late father, Raymond Oulette, and his Métis and Cree heritage. Oulette is engaged with the Métis Nations of Alberta and Otipemisiwak governance, representing and addressing the concerns of Métis people in the region.
Her commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices and fostering artistic expression makes her a truly exceptional figure in her Metis community.
Catherine Schnell
Citizens Representative
Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Catherine Schnell proudly serves as the Citizens Representative for Medicine Hat Métis District 2 under the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. Her Métis roots run deep through the Johnson, Bray, McKay, Sinclair, and Cook families.
Catherine’s diverse career has included administration, judicial services, and small business, as well as work as a massage therapist and Equine Canada–certified Western Riding Coach. A lifelong volunteer and proud member of the Firekeepers Women’s Society, she is passionate about preserving Métis culture, music, art, dance, and language.
She and her husband enjoy country life with their animals and love hosting gatherings for their three children, their spouses, and nine grandchildren.
“It’s an honour to serve our citizens and strengthen the connections between our history, our families, and our shared future as we continue forward on our self-government journey.”
