Matriarchs RisingMatriarchs Rising Consulting Co.
Indigenous Women Leading Nationally — Strategic Planning, Leadership, Gatherings, Organizational and Community Transformation
Indigenous Women Owned and Operated. Part of a rising generation of Indigenous women leading change across Canada.
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Who We Are
Matriarchs Rising Consulting Co. is an Indigenous women-led firm grounded in matriarchal leadership and community accountability. Co-founded by Tamara Bernard alongside a private co-founder, we partner with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and companies to deliver strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational transformation rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and relational ways of being.
We believe strong organizations are built the same way strong communities are — through respect, reciprocity, and leadership that centres the wisdom of women and matriarchs. Our approach blends rigorous strategic and research expertise with deep cultural grounding, helping the organizations we work with build capacity that lasts and leadership that reflects their own values and self-determination.
Braiding Indigenous Knowledge. Growing Movements.
When Indigenous Women Lead, Nations Rise
Across Canada, Indigenous women are stepping into leadership at every level — in First Nations governments, in policy rooms, in courtrooms, in universities, and in community. Matriarchs Rising exists inside that movement, not apart from it. Our team's work has shaped national conversations: contributions to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Ontario's first Indigenous Death Review, and Canada's National Autism Strategy — alongside decades of work directly alongside First Nations, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous organizations from coast to coast.
We don't just consult on leadership — we practice it, in relationship with the communities and nations we serve.
"When Indigenous women lead, communities rise."
Our Commitment
Social Impact Fund
At Matriarchs Rising, every contract, partnership, and project creates impact beyond the work itself.
A portion of every engagement is reinvested directly into Indigenous women, families, and communities through our Social Impact Fund. These contributions may include donations to Indigenous women's shelters and transitional housing programs, grants and bursaries for Indigenous women pursuing education, support for community-led initiatives, and investments in other opportunities that strengthen Indigenous women and future generations.
We believe that success should be shared. Our work is not solely measured by revenue, but by the positive change we help create. As an Indigenous women-owned firm, we are committed to lifting up other Matriarchs across Canada while recognizing the ongoing national crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people.
When you choose to work with Matriarchs Rising, you are doing more than hiring a consulting firm—you are becoming part of a movement that invests in Indigenous women, strengthens communities, and creates lasting social impact.
For us, this is what meaningful reconciliation looks like: transforming partnerships into opportunities for Indigenous women to thrive, lead, heal, and shape the future.
Why Leaders Partner With Matriarchs Rising
The judgment of executives, researchers, and subject-matter experts who have built and run these programs themselves — scaled to your file and budget.
Our team's standing with First Nations, governments, funders, and Indigenous organizations across Canada.
MMIWG inquiry contributions, Ontario's first Indigenous Death Review, $16M+ in secured grant funding across our team's careers.
You work with Matriarchs Rising directly, and we bring in the right expert for your specific file.
How We Can Help
We design our services around the outcomes leaders actually need — plans that get used, policies that hold up, and programs that work for the communities they serve.
Facilitated planning, governance-ready plans, and leadership and government advisory for First Nations, Tribal Councils, and government partners.
Evidence-based policy, Indigenous research methodologies, and evaluation frameworks.
Training and mentorship grounded in matriarchal leadership, for boards, staff, and emerging leaders.
Program design, protocol development, and subject-matter expertise built on the ground.
Culturally grounded, neurodiversity-affirming program design and training.
Grant and report writing, funder relations, board development, communications strategy.
Land-based knowledge, seed sovereignty, and climate resilience planning rooted in traditional ecological knowledge.
Curriculum design, land-based learning, and reconciliation education.
Oral history, producer and interview-based research, and knowledge mobilization.
Who We Work With
First Nations Governments & Chiefs · Tribal Councils · Indigenous Organizations & Non-Profits · Companies & Institutional Partners
Our Team
Every member of our team brings direct, hands-on experience — not just credentials.
Tamara Bernard (Anishinaabe Kwe) is an Indigenous researcher, educator, author, and entrepreneur from Gull Bay First Nation. She partners with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, governments, and institutions to advance Indigenous rights, culturally grounded policy, research, education, and systems change. An award-winning advocate, TEDx speaker, and published author, she has contributed to the National Inquiry into MMIWG and Ontario's first Indigenous Death Review.
Tamara is a published author with the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) and co-led Ontario's first Indigenous Domestic Violence Death Review report. She has also led death review reports and frameworks in other provinces, with a focus on Indigenous intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and family violence case analysis.
Strategic planning and governance facilitation for First Nations, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous organizations
Design and review of GBV, MMIWG2S+, and child welfare policy and programming
Indigenous research, curriculum, and training development
Land-based knowledge, food and seed sovereignty, and climate resilience planning
Climate justice strategy and Indigenous ecosystem-based planning
Government and leadership advisory for First Nations and Tribal Councils navigating transitions and complex policy files
Indigenous Death Review expertise, including contributions to Ontario's first Indigenous Death Review
Our co-founder is an Indigenous business professional with more than 15 years of experience in Indigenous economic development, community engagement, governance, and strategic planning. She leads client engagements across energy, infrastructure, finance, and institutional reconciliation.
She is a Matriarchal Reconciliation expert, working across corporate, government, and community engagement, and is a traditional knowledge keeper and matriarchal leader. Grounded in Two-Eyed Seeing, she braids business acumen with social impact for Indigenous women.
Funding development and investment models
Philanthropist networking
Government and leadership advisory
Matriarchal governance models
Matriarchal reconciliation across corporate, government, and community engagement
Alana Morrison has spent 21 years specializing in Survivor Services. In 2020, she secured multi-year funding to build the Survivor Assistance Support Program. She testified as a Subject Matter Expert at the National Inquiry into MMIWG.
Design and audit of survivor and victim service programs
GBV protocol development for police, justice, and community safety partners
MMIWG-informed policy review and subject-matter training
Madison Arielle Hughes is a Registered Social Worker whose practice is grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches. She serves as part of Canada's National Autism Strategy and is the author of Growing Up Grayson: This Is Me and ASD.
Mental health program design for Northern and remote communities
Neurodiversity-affirming policy and service design
Crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and staff training
Trina brings community-grounded expertise in healing practices and language and culture revitalization programming.
A Mohawk language teacher and advocate, Trina is a trailblazer for Indigenous language learning, reclamation, and knowledge mobilization. She is also a voice actor and Indigenous language director for multi-media, with experience with APTN, and carries knowledge as a harvester, medicine knowledge keeper, and in ceremonial practice.
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Indigenous language teaching, reclamation, and revitalization program design
Voice acting and Indigenous language direction for multi-media and broadcast projects
Knowledge mobilization grounded in harvesting, medicine knowledge, and ceremonial practice
Tina holds an MSW (Aboriginal Field of Study) and brings 26+ years of experience across health, mental health, addictions, and social services in Northwestern Ontario, including 17 years of clinical practice and 13 years in leadership.
Community development program design and leadership in Northwestern Ontario
Clinical and organizational mental health and addictions expertise
Dr. Liz Akiwenzie is a Knowledge Keeper with nearly 40 years guiding learners across post-secondary, healthcare, and justice sectors, holding an honorary doctorate in law. She works in healing lodges and correctional wellness programs and is the author of two forthcoming books.
An educator, advocate, and trailblazer, Dr. Liz is a matriarchal leader and creator of Indigenous frameworks, culturally grounded workshops and training. As a facilitator, she leads gatherings of women that bring teaching, ceremony, and community together.
Traditional knowledge, ceremony, and cultural protocol guidance
Healing lodge and correctional wellness program design
Development of Indigenous frameworks and culturally grounded workshops and training
Facilitation of gatherings of women
Ryleigh is a creative arts executive with artistic, operational, and governance expertise. As Executive Director of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (2020–2025), she brought in over $500,000 in new funding within her first two years.
Nonprofit and arts governance, board development, and crisis leadership
Grant writing, funder relations, and revenue diversification
Want to Join the National Movement Today?
Boozhoo — we look forward to working with you.