MATAWA FIRST NATIONS MANAGEMENT WELCOMES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DR. SHARON L. NATE
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MATAWA FIRST NATIONS MANAGEMENT WELCOMES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DR. SHARON L. NATE
THUNDER BAY, ON – Today, on behalf of all citizens in the Matawa region, the Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM) Board of Director President Rosemary Moonias, on behalf of the MFNM Board of Directors, proudly announced the appointment of Dr. Sharon L. Nate, Hon. B.Ed, Hon. EdD, as the MFNM’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Nate replaces former CEO David Paul Achneepineskum, who after serving in this role for 25 years in total, has opted to enter into semi-retirement.
Dr. Nate brings over 20 years of experience in education, leadership, teaching and advocacy for Indigenous youth and communities. Most recently serving as the Executive Director of Education with Matawa Education, she has led major initiatives including the construction of the Matawa Education and Care Centre and the development of the Matawa Waka Tere Language Revitalization Program. Her work has focused on strengthening supports for students, building culturally relevant programming, and advancing Indigenous-led policy changes at both the federal and provincial levels. Dr. Nate was awarded an honorary Doctorate by the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC) in recognition of her leadership in Indigenous education and language revitalization and received her Honours Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University.
President Moonias stated, “We welcome Dr. Nate to this new role, we are confident that she will lead the organization with vision, humility and dedication.”
New MFNM CEO Dr. Nate stated, “My beginnings in Eabametoong First Nation and working closely with the community helped me understand the unique needs of our youth and families,” says Dr. Nate. “That foundation guided my path in Education and has given me the insight to now apply this knowledge across all departments within Matawa. While there’s always room to grow, there is so much to celebrate—and I look forward to building on our successes together.”
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For more information please contact Charnel Anderson, Communications Generalist – Matawa First Nations, at (807)621-9405 or by email at canderson@matawa.on.ca.