Our Mawkim Team

Robin Thompson is Cree Métis from Treaty 1 Territory and a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Robin holds a business diploma, an Advanced major in Social and Criminal Justice from St. Francis Xavier University and a Juris Doctor from the Schulich School of law. She is a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barrister Society. In 2015 she was one of the ten participants chosen world-wide for the Indigenous Fellow Progamme with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in Geneva Switzerland. Robin has 20 years of senior management experience developing governance capacity within Indigenous communities and is a strong advocate for First Nation self-determination. Robin also serves on the non profit board of the Centre for First Nations Governance and is a Human Rights Commissioner for the province of Nova Scotia.

Erica Johnson is a Southern Inuit of NunatuKavut and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting from Mount Saint Vincent University. Before joining UNSM, as the Administrative Assistant for the Mawkim team, Erica worked for several years with the Canada Revenue Agency in the Audit Division. She brings her valuable experience in financial analysis and engagement within the public sector.

Outside of work, Erica is actively involved in the local equestrian community. She shows horses and volunteers her time at local horse shows, combining her love for animals with a strong sense of community and teamwork.

Muin Ji’j [moo-in jeech] is a Mi’kmaw scholar and a member of the Eskasoni First Nation in Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). He is the Special Projects Coordinator for the Mawkim team at the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq. In his role, Muin Ji’j coordinates various special data-related projects in the Atlantic Region. Muin Ji’j is a Saint Mary’s University doctoral student in the Executive Doctorate of Business Administration program. In addition, he graduated from the Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration program at Cape Breton University, and a Certificate in Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities from Harvard Business School. Muin Ji’j is well-rounded in various aspects of business and management.

Camryn is Mi’kmaw and a member of Eskasoni First Nation in Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia), with familial roots in Elsipogtog First Nation, NB. Camryn is the Outreach Coordinator for the Mawkim team at the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq. Her previous work experiences have given her a profound passion for Community and Leadership. Through her past work, she has seen community development at the international and national levels. Camryn has enjoyed community involvement in the past. Her drive for youth advocacy strongly impacts her beliefs. Camryn’s future goal is to bring the Mi’kmaw teachings to our youth today.

Zabrina Downton is a 2SLGBTQ+ Mi’kmaw scholar and educator of mixed ancestry, and a member of Wasoqopa’q First Nation. She is the Research Analyst for Mawkim, where she works with researchers, ethics boards, institutions, and Mi’kmaw communities to ensure research is ethical, respectful, and community-centred. Zabrina holds a BA Honours in Anthropology/Sociology and a Certificate in Social Research from Cape Breton University, as well as an MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies from Brock University.

Melissa (Nain, NL) is an Inuk from the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area and a Nunatsiavut Beneficiary member. She has been practicing in the field of Human Resources for the last 11 years. Recently realizing her natural passion for policy research and development, she joined UNSM’s Data Governance team as a Policy Analyst at the end of November 2024. She is driven by ensuring the Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia continue to have a right to own and govern their collective data and knowledge gifts as a self-determined, self-governing First Nations.

Shenayah [shen-aye-yuh] is Mi’kmaw and a member of Eskasoni First Nation in Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). Shenayah is the Projects Coordinator for the Mawkim team at the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq. In her role, Shenayah assists the governance manager with the preparation, deployment, monitoring, and dissemination of surveys administered by the Mawkim team.

Lauren Adams is a settler who grew up and is based in Nova Scotia. She is the Project Manager of the Regional Data Centre within the Mawkim Team at the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq. She holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. With a strong foundation in data and analytics, Lauren is dedicated to advancing Indigenous data sovereignty through approaches that are secure, culturally grounded, and community-centred. Guided by a project management approach rooted in collaboration and community priorities, she works to strengthen Mi’kmaw-led decision-making and ensure access to meaningful, reliable tools and information that support self-determination.