Our Board
James Lavallée
James is Métis and a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation’s Bison local. Born and raised in Winnipeg, James grew up paddling on the Red and Assiniboine rivers. In 2017, James proudly wore his Métis sash on the podium after winning three medals for Team Manitoba at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg. Growing up, James struggled with dyslexia and found school to be nearly impossible. At age 11, he discovered kayaking and for the first time, could see himself improving in something. Since then, James has represented Canada internationally at various kayak competitions. In 2016, James was named to Canada’s national canoe-kayak team. In October 2017, he received the national Tom Longboat Award presented to the top Indigenous male and female athletes of the year and was recognized as one of CBC Manitoba’s Top 40 Under 40. In 2019 James was presented with an Indspire award in the category of Métis youth. Today, James is active in his community and strives to create opportunities for more Indigenous youth to connect with their culture through community lead paddling programs. In the fall of 2020, James will be starting his degree at Concordia University where he plans to major in management and minor in political science.
Denis Lavallée
Denis is Métis and a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1978 with a Bachelor of Commerce and achieved his CPA designation in 1981. He has held senior financial positions with various private, public, and government organizations throughout his career. Denis is married to Wanda and is very proud of his two children, Josée and James. Denis has seen the extraordinary benefits that come from participation in paddling by watching his son James' career in the sport. James and his teammates have traveled the world to train and compete - along the way learning so much about themselves as athletes and teammates. James' participation in paddling and his work as a Metis mentor and leader led to an invitation to speak at a United Nations forum on Indigenous languages in 2019. The seed that was planted at that UN conference has blossomed at Waterways.
Samuel Anthony
Sam was first introduced to canoeing during a week-long backcountry expedition in northwestern Ontario at 3 years old. A childhood of canoe expeditions led to Sam starting Twin River Travel, a backcountry canoe outfitter in 2016. From there he expanded into Polar Bear guiding in Churchill Mb, running youth canoe programs for schools across Manitoba, and working for Spirit North as the regional coordinator for outdoor recreation programs in Indigenous communities across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Sam is passionate about the importance of outdoor recreation and excited to help Waterways offer high-quality wilderness experiences to youth. He is currently living in Montreal pursuing a law degree at McGill University.
Dené Sinclair
She acknowledges her traditional homeland around Selkirk, Manitoba (St. Peter’s Indian Band). She is a member of Peguis First Nation and a proud Ojibwe-Anishinaabekwe. Today, Dené lives in Winnipeg and works as a business management consultant specializing in strategic planning, communications and non-profit development. She is a committed student of the plants, lands and waters throughout our region, as well as a life-long learner of Anishinaabemowin.
Dené has a Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Royal Roads University (2019) specializing in Intercultural Communications, Tourism Management & Indigenous Studies, as well as a Diploma in Public Relations from the University of Winnipeg (2013). In 2018, Dené was counted as Canadian Traveller Magazine’s Top 40 under 40. She was recognized as a Finalist for the YM-YWCA Women of Distinction in 2016 as well as being included in 2016's CBC Manitoba's Future 40.