The Power of Unity, The Dignity of Difference
Our Partners
Through our work, Matawa First Nations Management collaborates with a wide range of partner organizations that provide important services to our communities. These partnerships are established through both formal and informal agreements (see Memorandums of Understanding below).
In many cases, Matawa has representation on the governing bodies, committees, or councils of these organizations. Our representatives help ensure that the voices, perspectives, and priorities of all generations and groups within our member communities are heard and reflected in decision-making.
Terms of appointment and selection processes vary depending on the organization. Representatives may be appointed by Chiefs and Councils, selected by vote, or chosen based on regional or Tribal Council representation.
When vacancies arise, opportunities for Matawa members are posted on our Careers page under “Request for Proposals/Call for Expressions of Interest,” and are also shared on our social media channels. For more information, please contact Paul Capon at pcapon@matawa.on.ca.
Community Representation
| Partner | Representative | Term Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Achieving the Dream Through Education Board of Directors | President: Ennis Jacob, Webequie First Nation Secretary: Annamarie Majiskon, Aroland First Nation Treasurer: Mary Oskineegish, Nibinamik First Nation Board members: Christopher Hill, Ginoogaming First Nation Susanna Baxter, Marten Falls First Nation Melanie Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation Vacant (no BCR), Eabametoong First Nation Elder: George Whitehead, Webequie First Nation |
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| Community Infrastructure Memorandum of Understanding Steering Committee (March 2020) | Signatories: Matawa First Nations Management PCL Constructors EPCOR Enterprise Canada Enterprise Capital Ontario Power Generation |
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| Ka-Na-Chi-Hi Healing Lodge Board of Directors | Secretary, Elizabeth Moore | |
| Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services (KKETS) Board of Directors | President: Ron Wesley, Constance Lake First Nation Vice-President: Lisa Echum, Ginoogaming First Nation Treasurer: Lawrence Atlookan, Eabametoong First Nation Board members: Richard Roundhead, Nibinamik First Nation Eunice Magiskan, Aroland First Nation Dorothy Sakanee, Neskantaga First Nation Norman Shewaybick, Webequie First Nation Maria Baxter, Marten Falls First Nation |
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| Matawa Development Corporation Board of Directors | President: Judy Desmoulin, Long Lake #58 First Nation Vice-President: Vacant Secretary/Treasurer: Sam Achneepineskum, Marten Falls First Nation Board member: Duane Wesley, Long Lake #58 First Nation Ramona Sutherland, Constance Lake First Nation Denan Kuni, Ginoogaming First Nation Chad Kashkish, Aroland First Nation Stanley Oskineegish, Nibinamik First Nation |
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| Matawa Economic Development Committee | Sam Kashkeesh, Aroland First Nation Kevin Proctor, Constance Lake First Nation Ron Missewace, Eabametoong First Nation Henry Waboose, Ginoogaming First Nation Robert Starr, Long Lake #58 First Nation Robert Moonias, Marten Falls First Nation Edward Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation Byron Wapoos, Nibinamik First Nation Glen Wabasse, Webequie Tara Ingram, Matawa First Nations Management |
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| Matawa First Nations Education Authority | Krista Bouchard, Aroland First Nation Nancy Waswa, Eabametoong First Nation Sheri Taylor, Ginoogaming First Nation Sandra Moonias, Marten Falls First Nation Tony Sakanee, Neskantaga First Nation Mary Oskineegish, Nibinamik First Nation Ennis Jacob, Webequie First Nation |
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| Matawa Health Co-operative Board of Directors | President: Annabelle Mendowegan, Aroland First Nation Vice-President: Jeffrey Jacob, Webequie First Nation Secretary/Treasurer: Sharon Sakanee, Neskantaga First Nation Board members: Melanie Waswa, Eabametoong First Nation Calvin Taylor, Ginoogaming First Nation Evelyn Baxter, Marten Falls First Nation Johnny Yellowhead, Nibinamik First Nation Kristian Muckaday, Long Lake #58 First Nation Vacant, Constance Lake First Nation |
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| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Legal Services Corporation Board of Directors | Director: Lisa Echum, Ginoogaming First Nation Elder: Sarah Waboose, Eabametoong First Nation |
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| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Police Services Board of Directors | Board member: Chief Rick Allen, Constance Lake First Nation | |
| Ojibway & Cree Cultural Centre Board of Directors | Vice-President: Cathy Therriault, Aroland First Nation | |
| Onigam Ashookaasata (formerly Kenogami Environment Technical Table) | Mark Bell and Jerry Shabogamik, Aroland First Nation Wayne Neegan, Bertha Sutherland, Roger Wesley, Carly John-George and Nelson Nakoochee, Constance Lake First Nation Calvin Taylor, Curtis Towegishig, Crystal Iserhoff and Shelly Rahme, Ginoogaming First Nation Michael Fisher, Long Lake #58 First Nation |
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| Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute | Board member: Mary Meshake, Aroland First Nation | |
| Rapid Lynx Telecommunications Board of Directors | Executive Board of Directors: President: James Suganaqueb, Webequie First Nation Secretary: Matthew Sofea, Nibinamik First Nation Treasurer: Robert Moonias, Marten Falls First NationBroadband Working Group: Sam Kashkeesh, Aroland First Nation Donald Meeseetawageesic, Eabametoong First Nation Edward Moonias and Gary Quisses, Neskantaga First Nation Bryon Wapoose, Harvey Yellowhead, Gershom Beaver, Nibinamik First Nation Glen Wabasse, Webequie First Nation |
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| Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Family Treatment Centre | Vacant | |
| Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority Chiefs Committee on Health | Sharon Sakanee, Neskantaga First Nation | |
| Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority Board of Directors | Director: Wanda Atlookan-Sugarhead, Eabametoong First Nation | |
| Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Board of Directors | Trustee: Roy Spence, Webequie First Nation | |
| Tikinagan Child and Family Services Board of Directors | Sonny Gagnon, Aroland First Nation | |
| Wequedong Lodge Board of Directors | Board member: Wayne Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation |
Staff Representation
| Partner | Representative | Term Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada | Nicole Gamble | |
| Confederation College Negahneewin Council | Carly Perras | |
| Diversity Thunder Bay’s Community Safety & Well-Being Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Action Table | Breanne Anderson | |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Court Committee | Paul Capon | |
| Lakehead University’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management External Advisory Committee | Sarah Cockerton | |
| Lakehead University’s Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council | Paul Capon | |
| City of Thunder Bay Mayor’s Task Force on Building More Homes | Paul Magiskan | 2027 |
| Mamow Ahyamowen Partnership Steering Commitee | Francine Pellerin and Paul Capon | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Band Representative Advisory Committee | Robin Larrett | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Band By-Law Committee | Paul Capon | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Committee on Health | Francine Pellerin | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Food Security Committee | Vacant | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation First Nation Community & Tribal Council Health Directors Advisory Committee | Francine Pellerin and Jason Beardy | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Health Transformation Joint Action Committee | Paul Capon, Jason Beardy, Frances Wesley and Francine Pellerin | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Community Health Transformation Working Group | Vacant | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Crisis Coordinators & Health Directors | Nicole Jacob | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Education Committee | Sharon Nate | |
| Noojmawing Sookatagagin Ontario Health Team | Paul Capon | |
| Northwest EM and SEM – SLFNA | Vacant | |
| Ontario Regional Addictions Partnership Committee | Francine Pellerin | |
| Regional Non-Insured Health Benefits Navigators Group | Elizabeth Wapoose and Cheryl Suganaqueb | |
| Seven Youth Inquest Recommendations (Main and #114 Youth Detox) | Brad Battiston and Stephanie Ritch | |
| Social Emergency Managers and Indigenous Affairs Ontario | Vacant | |
| Thunder Bay Aboriginal Inter-Agency Committee & Urban Aboriginal Strategy | Paul Capon | |
| Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Equity and Inclusion Committee | Carol Audet | |
| Thunder Bay and District Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee | Paul Capon | |
| Thunder Bay Anti-Racism & Respect Advisory Committee | Carol Audet | |
| Thunder Bay District Health Unit Perinatal Coalition | Nicole Gamble | |
| Thunder Bay Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Table | Paul Capon | |
| Thunder Bay Community Reintegration Planning Table | Paul Capon, Cheryl Suggashie, Terri Zoccole | |
| Thunder Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition | Paul Magiskan | |
| Transitions-to-Care Community of Practice | Cheryl Suggashie | |
| Violence Against Women Local Services System Planning Table (Northwestern Ontario) | Francine Pellerin | |
| Thunder Bay Situation Table | Paul Capon |