Council of Directors

Lori Flynn

Secretary

Lori Flynn is Anishinaabekwe from Hiawatha First Nation.
​Bio coming soon. 

Meri Saunders

Treasurer

Meri Saunders, (Wahsontanoren) is a Wolf Clan woman of the Wahta Mohawk territory, a mother, and a grandmother. Meri retired after a successful, 40-year career in finance and management roles, most recently as Director of Finance and Administration at the Ontario
Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC). In her role at OFIFC, Meri provided 18 years of effective financial leadership for the organisation; as well as training and support for member Friendship Centres to develop their capacity in non-profit finance, management and governance. Since retiring, Meri has kept busy serving on the Board of Trustees at Ross Memorial Hospital
and providing ongoing counsel in financial management for Ontario Native Women’s Association, Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, and Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre.

​Ishkenikeyaa Waawaashkesh (Marjolaine Lapointe)

Speaker

Ishkenikeyaa Marjolaine LaPointe (Anishinaabe) is a member of Ardoch First Nation. An educator for over 20 years, Marjolaine is currently one of 2 Indigenous Education Consultants for KPRDSB, with curriculum support, Anishinaabemowin, Indigenous-Centred Trauma-Informed Education and Indigenous-Centred Restorative Practice as portfolios. Marjolaine is passionate about language, culture, and culturally relevant and restorative education, and has a 2 decades-long relationship with Niijkiwendidaa.

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Erin Hayward

Director

Erin Hayward (Kwe Ekoowaandang Beka Minidoowaabo) is a mixed ancestry urban Indigenous Kwe. She is Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) and German on her paternal side and mixed European (Irish and British) maternally. Erin was born and raised in Scarborough Ontario. Erin's roots come from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.  Erin is passionate about Indigenous science, Kanyen’keha (The Mohawk Language), hunting, fishing, and tending to Haudenosaunee seed and community relationships.

Erin holds an M.Sc in Environmental and Life Sciences, specializing in Aquatic Ecotoxicology. She currently teaches in the Department of Indigenous Studies at Fleming College and volunteers her spare time to supporting Urban Indigenous organizations such as NASC and the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre.

​Rae Gibeault

Director

Rae Gibeault (Anishinaabe) identifies as an Urban Indigenous Kwe whose roots come from Wasauksing First Nation, Mkwa Clan. Rae grew up in the Durham Region-area & with the support of her adopted family (60s Scoop) was able to re-connect with her traditional home & family as a young adult. Nogojiwanong has been her home-base for the last two decades as she works for Trent University: Office of the Registrar, specializing in the field of Enrollment Services. Rae is passionate about Indigenous Arts, Language, Drumming & her urban Indigenous community.

In addition to working, Rae has volunteered with the following organizations: Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Trent University Alumni Association: Indigenous Representative, OPSEU Steward/Indigenous Circle, Peterborough Native Learning Program, Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society: Foster Parent & Cultural Speaker, Host Family for Northern Youth Abroad Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Indigenous & Political Studies, as well as a post-graduate degree in Human Resources Management. Proud of her work, academic & volunteer accomplishments, Rae values her role as Mom as her greatest achievement.

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Annual General Meeting

Information about the next annual general meeting can be found by clicking the button below.

AGM Info