The Power of Unity, The Dignity of Difference
Our Partners
Through our work, Matawa often coordinates with a number of partner organizations that specialize in providing services to our communities. This is done through informal and formal agreements (see Memorandum of Understandings at the end).
In many instances, we also have representation on their governing bodies and/or ad-hoc/permanent committees/councils. Our representatives ensure that the voices of different generations and groups within our communities are heard and considered.
Terms of expiry and method of selection varies amongst each of our partners (ie. some may be appointed by First Nations Chiefs and Councils, some may be by vote, some are based on regional locations or Tribal Council, etc.). Periodically, vacancies become available to Matawa members. These will be posted on our website here: https://www.matawa.on.ca/recruitment/career-opportunities/ under ‘Request for Proposals/Call for Expressions of Interest.’ They will also be advertised on social media.
We are currently working to update specific dates for term expiries—return back for further information.
For more information, contact: pcapon@matawa.on.ca
Representation by Our Community Members
| Partner | Representative | Term Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Kan-na-chi-hi Specialized Solvent Treatment Centre | Vacant | |
| Kenogami Environment Technical Table | Aroland – Ernie Gagnon, Sam Kashkeesh Constance Lake – Wayne Neegan, Bertha Sutherland Ginoogaming – Denan Kuni, Calvin Taylor Long Lake #58 – Horis Mansuri, Shelly Rahme |
|
| Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services (KKETS) Board of Directors | Nibinamik – Richard Roundhead Eabametoong – Lawrence Atlookan, Treasurer Ginoogaming – Lisa Echum, Vice-President Aroland – Eunice Magiskan Neskantaga – Dorothy Sakanee Constance Lake – Ron Wesley, President Webequie – Norman Shewaybick Marten Falls – Maria Baxter |
|
| Matawa Economic Development Committee | Aroland First Nation- Sam Kashkeesh Constance Lake First Nation – Kevin Proctor Eabametoong First Nation – Ron Missewace Ginoogaming First Nation – Henry Waboose Long Lake #58 First Nation – Robert Starr Marten Falls First Nation – Robert Moonias Neskantaga First Nation – Edward Moonias Nibinamik First Nation – Byron Wapoos Webequie First Nation – Glen Wabasse Matawa Representative – Tara Ingram |
|
| 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) Director Duane Wesley (Long Lake #58 First Nation) Director Ramona Sutherland (Constance Lake First Nation Director Denan Kuni (Ginoogaming First Nation) Director Chad Kashkish (Aroland First Nation) Director Stanley Oskineegish (Nibinamik First Nation) |
|
| Matawa First Nations Education Authority | Elder – George Whitehead Webequie Education Director – Ennis Jacob Aroland Education Portfolio Holder – Annmarie Majiskon/Magiskan Nibinanik Education Director – Mary Oskineegish Marten Falls Education Director – Susanna Baxter Eabametoong Acting Education Director – Leanne Whitehead Neskantaga Education Authority Member – Melanie Moonias Ginoogaming Education Director – Martha Taylor |
|
| Matawa Health Co-operative | Eabametoong Health Director – Melanie Waswa Aroland Health Director – Annabelle Mendowegan, President Ginoogaming Band Councillor – Calvin Taylor Constance Lake Health Director – Vacant Webequie Health Director – Jeffrey Jacob, Vice President Marten Falls Health Director – Evelyn Baxter Nibinamik Health Director – Johnny Yellowhead Neskantaga Health Director– Sharon Sakanee, Secretary/Treasurer Long Lake # 58 Health Director – Kristian Muckaday |
|
| (Matawa) Rapid Lynx Telecommunications Board of Directors | Aroland – Sam Kashkeesh Marten Falls – Robert Moonias (Treasurer) Eabametoong – Donald Meeseetawageesic Neskantaga – Edward Moonias Webequie – James Suganaqueb (President) Nibinamik – Matthew Sofea (Secretary) Ginoogaming – Henry Waboose Constance Lake – Kevin Proctor Long Lake #58 – Robert Starr |
|
| MOU Partner Steering Committee | • Matawa • PCL Constructors • EPCOR • Enterprise Canada • Enterprise Capital • Ontario Power Generation |
|
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Legal Services Corporation (NALSC) Board | Director: Lisa Echum (Ginoogaming) Alternate: Bertha Sutherland (Constance Lake) Elder: Sarah Waboose (Eabametoong) | January 20 2024 |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Police Services (NAPS) Board | Chief Rick Allen (Constance Lake) | |
| Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre | Cathy Therriault (Aroland) | |
| Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute | Mary Meshake (Aroland) | |
| Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Family Treatment Centre | Vacant | |
| Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority | Chiefs Committee on Health | Vacant | |
| Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre | Roy Spence (Webequie) | |
| Tikinagan Child and Family Services | Sonny Gagnon (Aroland) | |
| Wequedong Lodge | Wayne Moonias (Neskantaga) |
Representation by our Staff
| Partner | Representative | Term Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada | Nicole Gamble | |
| Confederation College | Negahneewin College of Indigenous Studies | Georgette O’Nabigon | |
| District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board – Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) Advisory Table | Vacant | December 2023 |
| Diversity Thunder Bay – Community Safety & Well-Being Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Action Table | Breanne Anderson | |
| EMO/IAO BEM 200 First Nations Revamp | Vacant | |
| First Mile Connectivity Consortium | David Paul Achneepineskum | |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Court Committee | Paul Capon | |
| Lakehead University | Faculty of Natural Resources Management External Advisory Committee | Sarah Cockerton | |
| Lakehead University | Ogimaawin Aboriginal Governance Council | Paul Capon | |
| Mamow Ahyamowen Partnership | Francine Pellerin, Paul Capon | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Band Representative Advisory Committee | Robin Larrett | |
| 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, Jason Beardy | |
| Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Health Transformation Joint Action Committee | Paul Capon, Jason Beardy, Frances Wesley, 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 NIHB Navigators Group | Elizabeth Wapoose, Cheryl Suganaqueb | |
| Seven Youth Inquest Recommendations (Main and #114 Youth Detox) | Brad Battiston, 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 Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee | Carol Audet | |
| Thunder Bay Anti-Racism & Respect Advisory Committee | Carol Audet | |
| Thunder Bay District Health Unit Prenatal Coalition | Nicole Gamble | |
| Thunder Bay Community Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Table | Paul Capon | |
| Thunder Bay Correctional Centre and Thunder Bay Jail Community Reintegration Planning Table | Paul Capon | |
| Thunder Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition | Paul Capon, Paul Magiskan | |
| Thunder Bay Released from Custody Table | Paul Capon | |
| VAW Local Services System Planning Table (NWO) | Francine Pellerin | |
| Vulnerable Persons Table of Thunder Bay | Paul Capon |
Memorandum of Understandings
Date modified: 03-19-2025