Rena Squirrel

Rena Squirrel is Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson, NT, Canada) located on Treaty 11 territory, and a beneficiary of the Gwich’in Tribal Council. Her mother is Rene Firth from Teetl’it Zheh and her father is Doug Squirrel from Lidii Kue (Fort Simpson, NT, Canada). Her grandpa on her mother’s side is Ben Firth from Teetl’it Zheh and her grandma on her mother’s side is Joanne Charlie, who is Vuntut Gwich’in from Old Crow, Yukon, Canada. Rena currently resides on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, AB, Canada with her two sons, Riel and Nateyaa Dosedel, and her partner Dennis Dosedel.

Rena graduated from the University of Alberta with a combined degree, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and Bachelor of Secondary Education with a Native Studies major. She brings years of experience working and volunteering with Indigenous communities and governments throughout the Northwest Territories. She began work as a Project Coordinator with Gwich’in Council International in 2021, focusing on renewable energy and food security. She is excited to work with Gwich'in communities and people around the world to protect the environment and strive towards sustainable development solutions.