Misty Margaret Preshyon-Snook
Grounded in Culture, Guided by Compassion
CLASS OF 2025
For Misty Margaret Preshyon-Snook, community is not just something you belong to. It is something you build, nurture, and carry forward. Originally from Newfoundland, she has called Fort McMurray her home for over 25 years. She has rooted herself in the region and spent her time, heart, and energy on the people and cultures that shape it.
As the Employment and Training Coordinator with Athabasca Tribal Council, Misty’s work reaches across Nations and generations. With a background in Business Administration and Legal Studies, she brings both professionalism and heart to her role. What fulfills her most is the cultural revitalization woven into every connection she makes. “The most rewarding part of my role is engaging with Nations and students while contributing to cultural revitalization,” she says. “I value forming everlasting connections within the community through cultural events and volunteering.”
That deep sense of connection comes from her upbringing. Misty credits her family, especially her mother, for shaping how she walks through the world. “I have always tried to remain humble, guided by my mother’s teaching to love with your whole heart and to give back to those who help you along the way,” she reflects. Her family has stood beside her at events, supporting her both in spirit and in presence. Their encouragement has been the foundation of her service and success.
Before stepping into formal leadership roles, Misty was already showing up. She has volunteered at the Arctic Winter Games in 2023, the Alberta Winter Games in 2018, and Santas Anonymous through Mercredi High School. She also lends her support to Nation events such as Treaty Days and Christmas gatherings. What began as participation through her daughter’s involvement in the Noralta Skating Club became a lifelong commitment to community connection.
Her work with ATC created new opportunities to get involved, especially through cultural events like Orange Shirt Day, Missing, Murdered and Exploited Indigenous People (MMEIP), ceremonial gatherings, and one of her proudest accomplishments, coordinating the ATC Cultural Festival. The festival connected her with organizations across the region and sparked even greater collaboration. It also reinforced her belief that cultural events do more than celebrate identity. They restore it.
“Grounded in culture, guided by compassion, driven by community” are the words Misty uses to describe herself, and they reflect every part of her journey. Looking ahead, her goals are both personal and outward-facing. She wants to deepen her connection with her Mi’kmaq roots while continuing to learn from Dene and Cree culture. Passing on traditions to future generations is a responsibility she carries with pride.
Professionally, she is stepping into a new chapter with purpose. She hopes to serve as a trustee on the Catholic School Board to support staff and students and help create inclusive learning environments. In her evolving role with ATC, she plans to continue building employment pathways and developing meaningful programming. She believes this work strengthens both individuals and the region.
Misty approaches community challenges with honesty and hope. She is aware of the impact of addiction, mental health struggles, racism, and generational trauma. She believes healing happens through connection and shared experience. “Community events play a vital role,” she says. “They foster acceptance, build identity, and provide a sense of belonging that helps people reconnect with themselves, their culture, and their community.”
The Cultural Festival she helped bring to life is a clear example of her vision. It created space for people to gather, share meals, learn, and build bridges across cultures. As she steps into roles that influence education and opportunity, she hopes to continue strengthening those links.
At her core, Misty is someone who leads with humility and heart. “I choose to be part of something greater than myself and never take anything for granted,” she says. She strives to be someone others can turn to, confide in, and trust. In every space she enters, she uplifts others and strengthens the community around her.
Misty is both a carrier of culture and a creator of connection. She is helping shape a region where people feel seen, supported, and proud of who they are.
