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1 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING June 15, 2023 980 Cassells Street, North Bay, ON PIB 4A8 (705)472-2811 RECEPTION@NBIFC.ORG WWW.NBIFC.ORG
2 Mission Statement The mission of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre is to improve the quality of life for First Naon, Mes, and In-uit people in the urban environment of North Bay by supporng self-determined acvies which encourage equal access and parcipaon in society and which respects Indigenous culture disncveness. The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre provides a wide array of programs and ser-vices to support Indigenous people of all ages. An important part of our mandate is to serve as a gathering place for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people. The Centre is a place where Indigenous culture is celebrated, friendships are made, knowledge and skills are shared and good mes are enjoyed.
3 Before You Become a NBIFC Board Member Dues: - You must be voted in - You must qualify under the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre’s By Laws - You must aend 1st Board meeng immediately following the AGM to elect the Exec-uve Commiee (President, Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary) - You must provide an All-inclusive CPIC with vulnerable sectors check. - Sign Condenality agreement - You must aend Mandatory Board Training Responsibilies: - Aend monthly meengs (3rd Monday of each month) beginning at 4:00 p.m. - Sit on at least one subcommiee, and aend monthly commiee meengs - If you are elected to the Execuve Commiee you will be required to be available up-on short noce for cheque signing, hiring, and short lisng. - Conduct yourself in a manner that reects the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Cen-tre’s Mandate and follow Board Governance Policy and Procedures Manual and Code of Ethics. Thank You for serving your Community!
4 NORTH BAY INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRE GOVERNANCE AND OPERATING DOCUMENTS GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT __________________________________________________________________________ POLICY The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre is commied to providing a safe and healthy working envi-ronment by promong respect, civility, safety, responsible cizenship and service excellence. A posive work and cultural climate exists when all sta, community members and visitors feel safe, comfortable and accepted. The standards of behavior outlined in the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre Code of Conduct shall apply to all sta, managers, directors, volunteers, clients, visitors, contractors and members of the community: • on Friendship Centre property; • while traveling in any vehicle that is owned by the NBIFC or that is under contract to the NBIFC; • in o-site NBIFC-sponsored acvies; or • in circumstances where engaging in an acvity will have an impact on the NBIFC climate. STANDARD OF BEHAVIOR All members of the NBIFC community are expected to: • Refrain from any form of real or threatened violence, aggression, harassment, bullying, or disrupve behavior; • Not bring or use alcohol or non-prescripon drugs on NBIFC property; • Not possess weapons of any kind while on NBIFC property or parcipang in NBIFC acvies; • Respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws; • Demonstrate honesty and integrity; • Respect dierences in people, their ideas and opinions; • Treat others with dignity and respect at all mes, and especially when there is a disagreement; • Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, cizenship, gender, gender identy, family status, marital status, sexual orientaon, creed (faith), socio-economic status, same sex partnership status, age or disability;
5 • Respect the rights of others; • Show proper care and regard for NBIFC property and the property of others; • Take appropriate measures to help those in need; • Respect the needs of others to work in an environment of learning and caring. • Abide by all relevant policies and procedures of the NBIFC. NOTES: Addional standards of behavior for sta are outlined in the NBIFC Personnel Policy. Standards of behavior for Directors are outlined in Board governance policies CONSEQUENCES Breaches of the code of conduct may result in various intervenons and consequences to address inappro-priate behavior. Intervenons and consequences may include: • Discussion with a sta person, Program Supervisor or Execuve Director; • In the case of youth, parental contact and involvement in applying an appropriate remedy; • Loss of privilege to parcipate in specied NBIFC acvies; • Peer mediaon; • Wrien or oral apology; • Community service; • Restorave jusce pracces through appropriate channels; • A direcve to leave NBIFC property; • Police intervenon; • Being banned from the Centre; • Temporary or permanent loss of membership privileges. NOTE: Sta breaches of the Code of Conduct and other forms of unacceptable behavior are addressed under NBIFC Personnel Policy.
6 Suspension Behaviours for which the Execuve Director or designate may consider suspending or temporarily barring someone from the Centre include: • Uering a threat to inict serious bodily harm on another person; • Acng in a manner that is highly disrupve to the funconing of the Centre and causes sta or others to feel threatened or uncomfortable • Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs; • Being under the inuence of alcohol; • Swearing at a sta person; • Comming an act of vandalism that causes damage to NBIFC property; • Bullying; • Willful destrucon of NBIFC property; vandalism causing damage to NBIFC property or property locat-ed on NBIFC premises; • Use of profane or improper language; • The; • Aid/incite harmful behavior; • Physical assault; • Being under the inuence of illegal drugs; • Sexual harassment; • Racial harassment; • Fighng; • Possession or misuse of any harmful substances; • Hate-movated violence; • Extoron; • Distribuon of hate material; • Inappropriate use of electronic communicaons/media; and/or • An act considered by the Execuve Director to be a breach of NBIFC Code of Conduct.
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8 NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS 2023/2024 There are four (4) Board vacancies, one (1) Youth Board representative vacancy and four (4) current Board members with one (1) year left of a two (2) year term One Year term - Year 2 of 2 Maurice Switzer Joyce Shortt-Lavigne Aaron St. Pierre Amanda Mathias-Mizzi Two Year term - Year 1 of 2 VACANCY VACANCY VACANCY VACANCY YOUTH VACANCY
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17 Maurice Switzer PRESIDENT’S REPORT NBIFC President’s message for 2023 Annual General Meeng Aanii/Boozhoo/Wachay/Sekon/Greengs kina waya! Bnesi ndizhnikaaz, Wazhashk doodem Michi Saagig Anishinabek, Wakkwa:ho Kanien’keha:ka Haudenosaunee; Alderville ndoonjibaa. North Bay endayaan. Anishinabek ndaw. To whomever is reading these words, I welcome your interest in the important contribuons being made in this city by the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. The most notable of these is the opening of Suswin Village, our 30-unit transional housing building across the street from our Centre, which is the most signicant North Bay response to the local homelessness crisis. It is heartwarming to see how much our rst residents appreciate their “nest”, which is providing them a broad range of wraparound services that we hope will equip them to be healthy and producve community mem-bers. Through their dedicated service to parcipants in three dozen NBIFC programs, Execuve Director Kathy Forn and every single one of our 40 employees have given our Centre a reputaon for excellence that gave funders the condence to support the largest single project in our 49-year history. Your volunteer board members have done our best to make the Centre a supporve “nest” for our sta during all the challenges associated with the pandemic. Despite the pressures of the pandemic and runaway inaon, we not only accomplished all the objecves of our three-year strategic plan, but recorded some addional achievements, such as the successful launch of Niizhwaas Asiniik Skoonweh Kahn -- Seven Stones Learning Centre -- located a few doors down from the Suswin site. In May we said our last goodbyes to board member and long-me volunteer Shirley-baa Renaud at a well-aended memorial in the gym. Her service was typical of the hundreds of hours of their precious me donated by board members to ensuring that the Centre funcons with a clear and caring vision. Inaonary pressures connue to contribute to higher levels of sta turnover than would be ideal, but we nev-er blame any employee who seeks to beer their family’s nancial situaon, and can take pride whenever their NBIFC training and job experience makes them good candidates for posions with other organizaons. Status Indians working for more than 100 Friendship Centres across Canada – 29 in Ontario – do not enjoy the same income tax exempon as those who work on reserve or o-reserve for chiefs’ polical organizaons. Looking ahead, our priories include increasing our eorts to develop Centre acvies that engage youth, a focus that was echoed by all groups who parcipated in this spring’s strategic planning process. We are con-dent that the cultural “nest” approach that is typical of the friendship centre movement will help us accom-
18 plish what other communies have not been successful in doing. It is everyone’s obligaon to encourage and support the young people who will be tomorrow’s leaders. Later this year a ceremony will be held to ocially unveil our Miskwaadesi project, an Indigenous learning site in the heart of North Bay. The site features a large petroform Painted Turtle that appears to be emerg-ing from a creek that runs through the city, and is the result of a partnership with the North Bay-Maawa Conservaon Authority. The locaon provides an ideal seng for environmental and Indigenous learning. Miskwaadesi features a agpole over which, for the rst me in North Bay’s history, banners will y every day of the year to signify the presence of First Peoples in this treaty territory. As we enter our 50th year of service to our community, the ag of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Cen-tre will be a constant reminder of our ongoing contribuons to making this city a beer place for all who choose to make this their home. Miigwetch/Nia:wen/Thank you. President’s Report Connued The 5th Annual Indigenous Art Show at the WKP Ken-nedy Gallery on Main Street, North Bay was a popu-lar event in 2022. The theme was “The Things We Make in this Place”. It was well aended.
19 Kathy Fortin EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Aniin, kwe kwe, Mino giishigad Once again, it is hard to believe that we are meeng for our Annual General Meeng; the me has passed so fast. As you have seen in our beauful newsleer that goes out to you each month, the NBIFC has been very busy, with many acvi-es and programming happening, This AGM marks my 9th year as Execuve Director and 23rd year as part of the Friendship Centre family. It is hard to believe that in 2015 at the beginning of my journey as Execuve Director, we had 1 building, 26 programs 32 sta. Currently, we have 3 buildings, 208 acres, 49 sta and 35 programs; who says we are not growing? The last year consisted of many events and landmark projects this is just to name a few: The compleon of the Suswin Village building is outstanding and something you should be very proud of. We were able to complete this building on budget, and we can now house our lost warriors and give them a place to call home. We hosted the biggest Indigenous event within our city, our 15th Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow the turnout was outstanding, and this could not have happened without the dedicated sta we have here at the NBIFC. As a leader, I am proud to say I have a GREAT team. Indigenous Day: was another successful event held last year; we are planning and organizing this year’s Indigenous Day event, which will be held June 21, 2023, here at the NBIFC. The Miskwaadesi Project: In partnership with the North Bay Conservaon Authority and the NBIFC, we created a tur-tle terraform along the Chippewa Creek Eco path. On March 31, 2023, there was a so opening of the project, in-cluding a ceremony with Grandmother Lorraine Liberty. Once the project is nished, you will be able to enjoy perfor-mances and acvies, there will be amphitheatre seang, and programs and performances can be delivered for schools, the NBIFC, and the public at this beauful locaon. The start of our Youth Council has been very successful, and they are planning some great learning experiences for the upcoming year. The Community Acon Circle has connued to forge relaonships with other organizaons and provide cultural educaon opportunies for them. As well we are working towards forming the Giisook Council, a coalion of Indigenous organizaons working together for the beerment of our people within the city. Opening the Niizhwaas Asiniik Skooonweh Kahn (Seven Stones Learning Centre) in partnership with the Near North District School Board, located at 1009 Cassells St, is a major success we achieved, as being able to control the envi-ronment in which our people can learn was important. The school has a welcoming environment; in no way does it have an instuonal feel. Sta and students can smudge, engage in cultural pracces freely, and learn in an environ-ment where they feel at home. The NBIFC also completed its Three (3) year strategic plan; as you know, we hope that 2023-2025 will be approved at this AGM. The Strategic Plan is an essenal document created from input from Board, Sta, Membership, Communi-
20 ty, and outside agencies. With mes changing so fast, as well as the rising Indigenous populaon of North Bay, we want to ensure that we provide the most ideally targeted services possible; the strategic plan will help us do so. As these are just a few of the events that the NBIFC has had over the last year, at this me, I would like to give a big shout-out to the sta of the NBIFC who work relessly to make sure that we improve the quality of life for all people who come across our paths. I would also like to say Chi Miigwetch to a dedicated Board of Directors for the support you have given to the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre; your eorts and energy contribute so much to the well-being of the NBIFC. I hope you all have a wonderful Summer and take care. Baamapii Execuve Directors report, connued Suswin Village, despite facing the challenges of construcon during a pandemic, which created delays, the building was completed within budget and was opened in February 2022.
21 Wacheay, wacheay! Welcome to our 2023 AGM. My name is Bertha. I’m from Moose Factory Is-land and a member of the Moose Cree First Naon. I’ve lived in North Bay since 2017. I’ve been working at the NBIFC since August 2020, and I’ve been in my current role as Human Resources Coordinator since December 2022. The work of HR varies each day; from recruitment and selecon to health and safety, performance management as well as employee relaons. I enjoy my work and especially am very proud and supporve of our sta who do so much for our urban Indigenous populaon. I especially enjoy joining in on ac-vies that display our tradional cras and praccing our ceremonies when I have the opportunity to do so. The NBIFC has hosted several events here at the Centre and it’s always amazing to see our teams come together to make these events a success. There’s a lot of knowledge and talent here and I’m happy to be part of the team. I’ve aended two job fair events this year and will connue to do so throughout the year. These events are not only to recruit but also to promote our organizaon on what we oer to urban indigenous and nonindigenous within our various programming and services. Our Suswin Village Transional House is almost fully staed. We’ve added anoth-er full-me Night Client Care Worker, which I am currently recruing for. As well, our youth programs – Waaban, Bertha Sutherland HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATOR Lori Anne Stanger EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kwe Kwe, I am grateful to work for a dedicated community-based organizaon like the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. Its Sta and volunteer Board of Directors work so hard to bring you supporng and enriching culturally relevant programs and services; and it is my honor to support where I can. One of last year’s most recent accomplishments was the successful applicaon for oper-ang funding for our 30-unit homeless transional home. I am humbled every me I look across the street and know the lives that “Suswin Village” is going to change and indeed save. I am looking forward to another year of working to support your Board, Execuve Director and sta any way I can. Thank you for reading! I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable summer. Kindest Regards, Lori Anne Stanger
22 Ruth Rozicki BOOKKEEPER Aanii! Good day, My name is Ruthie Rozicki, this is my tenth Annual General Meeng as part of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (NBIFC). My husband and I recently bought our rst home to-gether. We moved out of the big city to enjoy a quiet life surrounded by nature. Since mov-ing I feel very grounded and closer to The Creator. 2014 is when this incredible journey started. First as a placement and summer student work-ing with the Bookkeeper. Then, in early 2016 I was oered the opportunity to be the NBIFC’s full-me Bookkeeper. I am very honored to be a part of the behind the scenes of NBIFC; it paints a full picture of just how much amazing work the NBIFC sta as a whole does for our community. At NBIFC it is a family of peers and a second home to many community members. I am grateful during this me to be able to connue working with all the NBIFC family. The Centre has proven to be an invaluable part of the North Bay community; we are constantly growing and improving our programs to suit all needs. As of April 2023, the NBIFC has a total of 33 dierent programs to serve the needs of our urban community. Earlier in 2023 the transional housing pro-ject was complete. Tenants started moving in as soon as the rooms were set up. The Suswin Village Transion House is located at 981 Cassells Street, the corner of Cassells and Fih, directly across from the Friendship Centre. The atmosphere here, in the NBIFC, connues to be posive, friendly and welcoming. I connue to look forward to what the future holds. Chi-miigwetch! Ruthie Rozicki Ruthie Rozicki, PCP NBIFC Bookkeeper Youth Life Program, Children’s Wellness – are not yet lled, along with our short-term maternity leave contract posi-ons. I connue to conduct and schedule interviews upon receiving qualied applicants for our vacant posions. Go-ing forward, I hope to see all our vacancies lled and our programs grow to meet the needs of the people we serve. Chi Miigwetch! Respecully submied by, Bertha Sutherland, Human Resources Coordinator Human Resources Coordinator, connued Just a lile ny bit before the city limit sign is the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre billboard sign. We wanted to be the rst to welcome everyone!
23 Sandra Thorkelson COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Terry Kebokee BOOKKEEPER ASSISTANT Wachey, My name is Terry Kebokee recently hired in April as a Bookkeeper Assistant for the North Bay Indigenous Centre. I am a Cree originally from Kashechewan First Naon on the James Bay Coast. I just recently moved my family to North Bay from our hometown of Aawapiskat First Naon. I am very thankful that I was given the opportunity to be working alongside Ruth the Bookkeeper and as well as with the very hard-working North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre team or family I should say. As the centers vision statement where Urban Indige-nous culture is celebrated, friendships are made, knowledge, skills are shared, and good mes are enjoyed I am happy to be a part of this mandate. I am eager to learn and hopefully can get to know everyone here at the friendship center and be part of the growing and hard-working family. Meegwetch, Terry Kebokee Aniin boozhoo, Working for an organizaon like the NBIFC is an incredible experience that I never imagined having, but the pandemic had a funny way of changing career trajectories for many of us. Now in my second year here, I see rst hand every day how my co-workers are so dedicated to their community, and it inspires me constantly. I am a truly lucky individual. Our Communicaons within the city of North Bay are an ever evolving process, and really, are all about nurturing relaonships with other organizaons and individuals. As an example, a big part of my work is compiling the newsleer, and creang the electronic edion to circu-late online so we can save a few trees and stay in touch with people who may be away from home, and provide a snapshot of who we are to the world wide audience. Because we are indeed worldwide. Our online newsleers have been opened as far away as Poland, France, Chile, Germany and even Australia. In total since January, our e-newleer has reached over 19 500 people. I would just like to say chi-miigwetch to all of you for your support and encouragement, and the input that you’re so kind to share at events when you see me. This all makes a dierence in the eecveness of my work, and your input is incredibly helpful. I look forward to connuing and seeing what 2023/2024 brings! Warmest Regards, Sandra Thorkelson
24 Ethan Thorne CUSTODIAN I’m really enjoying being the Custodian here at the NBIFC. From Collingwood, On-tario, I lived in Magnetewan for years, and spent a great deal of my me shing. I sll love shing; when I’m not working, that’s probably where you’ll nd me, out in the bush somewhere. I’m enjoying working here at the NBIFC, I couldn’t ask for nic-er co-workers. Victorian Tomagatick COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT My name is Victorian Tomagack, I am Muskegowuk Cree from Aawapiskat First Naon located on western James Bay. This is my rst Annual General Meeng; I am a Communicaons Assistant at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. I’ve been in this posion since February 2023. My role as a Communicaons Assistant is creang and publishing content, overseeing oce acvies, brainstorming ideas and developing newsleers and other publicaons. Chi Meegwetch! Chris Mathias RECEPTION/ADMIN ASSISTANT I am a member of Temagami First Naons and spend a lot of me on Lake Temagami where our coage has been since the 80’s. I started the receponist posion here at the NBIFC in August of 2022. In this fast-paced environment I manage incoming calls, mail, shipping/receiving, space rental requests, email inquiries and other administrave dues. I’m the rst contact for vising clients and potenally new clients and direct them to the appropriate program heads. I connuously learn new things each and every day due to the diversity of programs, departments, clients and events. This is a very posive and ambious work culture which I am very proud to be a part of and look forward to contribung to the organizaon’s future.
25 Hello, my name is Amanda Curran, it is an honor for me to serving as the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre's Addicons and Mental Health Navigator. The program was developed to promote healthy lifestyles, culture-based programming and healing in order to reduce family violence and en-courage a healthy state of well being. A lile about me: I was raised with rural morals and values that emphasized the importance of help-ing and supporng our community because I come from a small rural community. I've always wanted to help people, but like many young adults, I didn't know what my gi was or how to use it. Many trips, falls, and outright falls on my face occurred during my wandering years. It also included my two handsome boys, who are my greatest blessings. I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, and an aunt in my community; helping my fam-ily and my community is my greatest passion and what inspired me to become a social worker. The eects of addicon on my personal life led to the development of my professional career. My personal experience inspired me to learn more about illness and how I can help those who are engaged in similar conicts. My need to learn brought me to Canadi-an Career College, where I began my educaon journey in the Addicon Intervenon Program. I later enrolled in Granton Universi-ty's Holisc and Complementary Therapy program, where I studied various all-natural alternave pain management strategies. I most recently received my Bachelor of Social Work from Nipissing University and became registered with the College of Social Ser-vices Workers and Social Workers. If you've been considering making signicant changes but are unsure of where to begin, come sit down with me so that we can discuss the opons. Together, we'll create a plan that can build your best life. Miigwetch, Amanda Curran BSW, RSW (she/her) Addicons and Mental Health Navigator Oce: 705-472-2811 Ext. 213 Email: amhn@nbifc.org Amanda Curran ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR The 2022 NBIFC Indigenous Winter Market in December 2022 was an unprecedented success for our local Arsans. The North Bay Lions Telethon actually opened their telethon here at the NBIFC and spent me looking around and promong the event. Having events like these help support our arsts, and support the economic well being of our community.
26 Andrew Smith URBAN ABORIGINAL HEALTHY LIVING KIDS PROGRAM Hello, my name is Andrew Smith, I am from across Canada, living in Toronto, Van-couver, Sarnia, Cold Lake, Oawa, and Calgary. I have been the UAHLKP coordinator for the past seven years. During this me, I have done a variety of programs with the youth in our communi-ty. We are geng ready for our Summer Programing, where I teach and help the youth with Canoeing, Kayaking, and Fishing days. We will also hopefully go out for a camping trip; it just depends on ming and sta availability. During the Winter months, I run program 4 out of the 5 days a week. From Pre-school gym to Jiu Jitsu, and two dierent cooking classes, covering both youth ages 6 to 12 years, and 13 to 18 years for Teen Cooking. If you have any quesons about the Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Kids Program. Please feel free to contact me. uahlkp@nbifc.org Facebook: Uahlkp Nbifc High School is a special and memorable me for many, and UAHLKP Pro-gram took a group of youth on a graduaon raing trip to celebrate their success.
27 Annette Manuel PRENATAL NUTRITION PROGRAM We did it! You did it! I did it! We all did it again; we are true resilient people, we made it through a pandemic. We made it to the other side; I am so very proud of us. As I introduce myself, I take the me to reect on who I became aer working along side of so many of our good people and sharing the journey of a large number of pregnancies and the joy of welcoming so many lile spirits into the program, into our Anishinaabe way. I am grateful for all who have taught me to be a strong Anishinaabe Kwe. Aniin, hello and welcome. My name is Annee Manuel and I am a proud Algonquin Indigenous woman regis-tered with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Naons of Golden Lake. I have been employed at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for 24 years this fall, with the majority of the me spent as a Prenatal Nutri-on Worker. I am the mother of three wonderful adult children with their partners as my bonus children and I am a Nana to six beauful grandchildren, both gis that I do not take for granted. My Anishinaabe name is Ma’iingan kwe , translated into English language is “Lile Wolf Women”. “It takes an enre community to raise a child”, I am proud to be included in this important statement. The In-digenous Prenatal Nutrion Program aims to provide prenatal and postnatal support and enhance parenng skills. Probably one of the most important areas to address in dealing with parents is their outlook to the future and to empower them with necessary teachings, in areas that result in self-suciency. Goal seng is denitely the most important prerequisite to future development. As we establish a parcipant/worker relaonship with our parcipants; we connue to ensure all areas of the medicine wheel are being nurtured ie. spiritually, mentally, emoonally, and physically. A success story for the program would include this year’s Women’s Wellness Day, The theme this year was “A Time of Change.” Keeping life in balance and ulizing the wellness wheel involving our four dimensions; men-tal, emoonal, physical and spiritual embraces women as a whole. The Prenatal Nutrion and Family Support welcomed facilitators to educate and bring awareness about sensive women’s issues. The various topics in-cluded Menstrual Cycle Awareness, also known in the Indigenous teachings as “moon me”, health during pre-natal, and post-natal periods- covering topics such as post-partum depression, cultural teachings on the Berry Fasng, and Moon-Time Teachings, as well as a Ribbon-skirt fashion show. The parcipants got moving with Zumba with our Friendship Centre’s Healthy Living worker. Our Grandmother is at the Centre of the event, as she carries the wisdom and encourages all women to carry the teachings. We always enjoy having our Grand-mother Lorraine Liberty open our event and provide a tradional teaching and the event is always closed in the Anishinaabe way. No one ever leaves without closure. Self-care is the key to a healthy mind, body and spirit. We must connue to remind our women, the young and the not-so-young, of their worth. The program oers programming on the following days: Monday morning, we are oering Musical Babies and Tots from 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Monday aernoon, 1 pm – 3 pm is our walking program “Take a Hike”, Tuesday
28 aernoon is open to home and hospital visits, tradional cras is oered Wednesday morning 9:30 – 11:30 am, Prenatal Class is oered Wednesday aernoon from 1 -3 pm, Mom’s and Muns is oered on Thursday morning at 10– 11:30 am and Friday mornings we oer Drop-in from 9:30 – 11:30 am. If you are pregnant or have a baby under the age of 1 year old and and would like to join our program, please email me at apnp@nbifc.org or phone 705-472-2811 ex 212. In closing, I’d like to say chi-miigwetch to the sta, to our parcipants, to our Grandmothers Lorraine Liberty and Katherine Sarazin for their guidance and encouragement to learn the culture, to Lori Anne Stranger for going over and beyond their dues to support the program and to the rest of the supporng sta who helped to make our program a success.. As well as chi-miigwetch to the Execuve Director Kathy Forn, who once again directed and supported her sta. Have a safe and happy summer. Prenatal Nutrion, connued Annee has been a part of the NBIFC for almost 24 years and now is seeing the babies that she started her program with, re-turn as they become parents themselves. Its truly a beauful thing to see.
29 Bernice Koosees & Wendy Favreau (LLC Driver) LIFE LONG CARE Hello Wachay, my name is Andrew Sutherland. I am a Swampy Cree from the James Bay area, and my community is Aawapiskat First Naon. I am a father of three and a mooshoom to three beauful grandbabies. Currently, I am en-rolled in the Indigenous Wellness and Addicons Prevenon (IWAP) program at Canadore College, and I will be starng year two this September. I enjoy hunng, shing, hiking and playing the acousc guitar in my spare me. So far, my me at the Suswin Village has been a great learning experience and I look forward to my new posion as a Healing and Wellness Coordinator. Having experienced my own hardships when dealing with addicons, my new role is rewarding because it has given me the opportunity to help others in a posive way. For that I am humbled, and I express gratude daily to the Creator for pung me on this new path. Andrew Sutherland HEALING AND WELLNESS Wachey missaway! My name is Bernice Koosees. I’m a Cree from the northern community called Kashechewan First Naon located in the James Bay coast. I relocat-ed my family to North Bay back in 2006, North Bay is my second home. I started my posion here with the Lifelong Care Program in January 2011. I have served the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for 12 years. I work with seniors, disabled adults, children and the chronically ill, the pro-gram oered medical transporta-on, social gatherings, friendly visits, congregate dining, security check, aboriginal support, social & indigenous support and advocacy. I’m uent in my Cree language. I love translang for my Cree el-ders in the program and I love speaking the language. I teach my clients what I know about my tradional culture and knowledge. I love sharing cra ideas with my clients and creang beauful cras together. The seniors in our program learned how to make
30 miens, moccasins, mukluks, lanyards, medallions, brooches, shawls, ribbon skirts and ribbon shirts etc. My wish for them is they connue to learn and one day, they will pass on the knowledge they received here to others. Our goal is to make sure all Lifelong Care clients have access to quality health care within our community and have a support sys-tem available for those that are uent in the language. Provide and promote tradional cultural acvies and teaching Life Long Care connued The Life Long Care program provides many levels of pro-gramming for our elders, as well as those with special needs. Some of the most memorable events are oungs out to the NBIFC land for acvies like a nice picnic lunch, or the Christmas Gala, that the LLC puts on each year for the program members. As always, there is also a lot of craing and learning going on.
31 Beverley Peler, Anishinaabe-kwe, from Wiikwemkoong Un-ceded Territory, stepped into the role of Indigenous Youth Educaon Coordinator for NBIFC July 2022. The Indigenous Youth Educaon Coordinator role is to en-hance learning opportunies for urban Indigenous learners with the goal of having accreditaon granted for parcipaon in tradional knowledge transference while strengthening pathways between Indigenous and public educaon systems. The parcipatory nature of a culturally immersive educaon program will contribute to the connuity of tradional knowledge/skills, language and Indigenous student well-being within urban Indigenous communies by supporng the strengthening and reclamaon of Indigenous idenes. Sequenally, increasing recognion of Friendship Centre's for their experse in providing culturally infused programs and support. Beverly Peltier INDIGENOUS YOUTH EDUCATION Cindy Guilbeault PNP/FSW ASSISTANT My name is Cindy Guilbeault and I work as the Prenatal/Family Support Assistant here at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. I am a mom to two boys and a nana to a lile girl who is turning 8 in Sept. I idenfy as non-status Algonquin with strong es to Micmaq from New Brunswick. I started here at the centre on September 1, 2022. I love my job here at the centre. The goal of the Indigenous Prenatal Nutrion Program is to improve the health of Indigenous mothers and their babies up to 1 year of age that live in an urban community. The Prenatal Nutrion program does counseling, support, advocacy, educaon and provides resources and referrals to other services to at-risk pregnant women. The goal of the Indigenous Family Support Program is to strengthen families and communies, to support community develop-ment and to facilitate healing. The design of the Family Support Program is to provide support to urban Aboriginal families with children 0-6 years of age through the provision of holisc and preventave services. Services are to be available in a culturally based methodology, which targets the preconcepons, prenatal, postnatal, infant, toddler and early development and learning years of the child. Being the assistant of the Indigenous Prenatal Nutrion and Family Support Programs I work directly under the direcon of the Prenatal Nutrion and the Family Support Worker and I ulmately responsible to the Execuve Director. I assist the Prenatal Nutrion Program and Family Support Program in delivering acvies, workshops and programs as directed., assist in the facilitaon of “Good Life Teachings”. I also help in assisng to provide direct services and support to single parent families with respect to issues such as child development, infant smulaon, role modelling and discipline. Providing childcare in a safe, educaonal and culturally relevant environment is also very important.
32 Christine Lajoie WASA NABIN Dan Desrochers KIZHAAY ANISHINAABE NIIN Hello, my name is Daniel Desrochers, I have been the Kizhaay worker for approximately 7 years & I have been employed at NBIFC for 12 years. The Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin program can be challenging at mes but very rewarding at the same me, it has been a great pleasure to be the coordinator of such a great program & look forward to helping those who are need or are required to parcipate in the program. Take care & stay safe Daniel Desrochers Good day, my name is Chrisne Lajoie I am the Wasa-Nabin worker, although I am sll fair-ly new to the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, I was the Wasa-Nabin worker In Cochrane at Ininew Friendship Centre, since the program began in 2008. The Program is designed for Urban Indigenous youth who are the ages of 13-18 years. The goal of the program is to provide youth with the support, tools and healthy acvies which build upon their ability to make healthier choices and improve their quality of life. Wasa-Nabin provides one to one support to clients based on individual needs as well as group acvies and recreaon for parcipants. Since starng in November 2021 here at NBIFC I have partnered with a few of our pro-grams for some joint programing and connue to do so. Most recently I have networked with local high schools, and Endaayaan Awejaa for some community programming. I plan to connue this on and add more to the list for future pro-gram collaboraons. This year's programs included Regalia and Ribbon skirts/shirt making, youth drop-in basket-ball at the centre, youth council, youth sewing, youth drop in beading at local high schools, art program and acvies at Arbour house monthly, 5-week youth kick boxing, shing, cross country skiing, Dungeons and Dragons nights, youth cooking, and Equine Therapy at Horse Ability. For my upcoming programs, I will connue to join forces with all the programs we have to oer at NBIFC, for such things as drop-ins at local High Schools, Pow Wow trips and mentoring programs. And any new programing opportunies that come our way. I will
33 George Hughie HEALTH OUTREACH Wachay everyone, it been another excing year for me with dierent challenges providing services for the clients and community members, networking with dierent agencies and planning events with the other programs within the Friendship Centre. PROGRAM GOALS & OBJECTIVES The goals & objecves for the AHOP it’s to provide various services that will promote healthier lifestyles, vio-lence-free families and insll empowerment program for clients and parcipants within Urban Aboriginal Community. Other services are peer counselling, referrals, advocacy, translaon services, community visits and linkages with other Aboriginal cultural resources, agencies and mainstream health providers. Networking, Events, Commiees For this year, the cultural events Men’s sharing circle monthly, and Cree Language circles bi- monthly throughout the year. And our annual events are Powwow in June, Men’s wellness day in October and Fall Health Fair will be in August this year, I will connue to provide Cree translaon and support services for the clients during their case-conference meengs and response to their crisis mes. I have also assisted clients in compleng their travel reimbursements and non-insured benets program for there out of town appoint-ments. And I will connue to provide transportaon once a month for the clients that need to renew their status cards at Sudbury Northern Indigenous Services Canada. Meegwetch
34 Jacob Lavoie CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTIONS WORKER Jacob Dayfox EENJAMONJADING—A PLACE TO GATHER PROJECT Aaniin! My name is Jacob Dayfox and I’m Anishinabek from Sheshegwaning First Naon on Manitoulin Island, and I am the A Place to Gather worker at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. I provide the knowledge that I have been gied by my elders to teach everyone who wishes to learn and tell the stories and teachings that I was told on my journey. My posion here at the center is to provide cultural land-based acvies that work on revitalizing our indigeneity and create safe spaces for those who want to learn about tradional knowledge. The NBIFC has a piece of land out near Riding Stable Road where we do cultural acvies meat smoking, hide tanning, re sharing circles, sweats, and many other cultural land-based acvies. My name is Jakob Lavoie, and I am a Child and Youth Mental Health and Addicons Worker. I was born and raised in the small town of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. I started working at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre in July 2022. Prior to working here, I completed my Indigenous Social Work degree at Laurenan University in Sudbury, Ontario and graduated in June 2022. While compleng my post-secondary studies from 2018-2022, I got my rst job in the eld as a Child and Youth Worker in a residenal group home in Sudbury for youth in-volved in the child welfare system. Once the pandemic hit and my in-person classes were cancelled, I decided to make the move to North Bay to complete the remainder of my studies online and pursue new employment opportunies. Aer making the move to North Bay, I quickly started looking for a job working with youth and ended up working at the North Bay Detenon Centre. During my me at the Detenon Centre, I had the opportunity of working with youth that were involved in the juvenile jusce system. The North Bay Detenon Centre ended up shung down in March 2022 due to funding issues and the pandemic. I took the next couple months to concentrate on my studies and gradu-ated from my program with honors. I started job searching near the end of my studies and came across a posng at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and started working here a couple months later. The thing I love most about my job is that I learn new things every day and faced with new challenges. I am very passionate about working with youth and oering them support during mes of need. I am a self-movated, dedicated individual that takes pride in my work, which is reected through my eorts supporng youth in our community. I am thankful to be a part of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and I look forward to connuing my learning journey and supporng at risk youth in our community. There are several dierent things I do in my program: - Direct and supporve counseling to children, youth and families
35 Jennifer Seguin AKWE:GO ENHANCED - Facilitang groups for children, youth and families - Needs and strengths-based service and planning - Crisis and brief intervenon services - Specialized psychosocial and needs based assessments - Support of Elders and other cultural resource people to ensure culturally safe service - Educaonal workshops and support groups for parents, caregivers and service providers - Evidence-based contemporary mental health and addicons services including harm reducon strategies, school-based screening, addicons assessment and treatment services Childrens Mental Health and Addicons Worker, Connued I am Jennifer Seguin a member of Nipissing rst Naon, I am a mother, and grandmother, I have been working as a s eld for 22 years working with youth and children and their families. I have been the Akwe:go Enchantment worker for the last 15 years at the NBIFC. I have been honored to be able provide supports and knowledge to the Clients and their families on their journeys, and for the me they are a part of the program. Watching them grow and build skills before my eyes. This year we have been fun and busy. The program is a culturally based program that has ve objecves social support, Health and physical development, instuonal support, Children in care, and FAS and other disabilies. The Program has spots for 20 urban aboriginal children ages 7-12 that are at risk or high risk. We provide programing weekly and monthly acvies, including regalia, jujitsu, dance, healthy cooking Special workshops and events such as sewing ribbon shirts and making hand drums, and presentaons on home safety and internet safety, march break camps. Healthy food supports when needed. In the summer we get to get out and have fun in community We go shing, swimming, doing volunteer work in the community, medicine picking, aending pow wows, horseback riding, weekly road trips to explore the surrounding ar-ea, and vising local aracons. The children get to have fun while developing social skills and cultural knowledge. Make new friendships and gain and sense of belonging in the NBIFC community. Child and Youth Program-ming is always emphasised here at the NBIFC, wether it be making regalia and danc-ing, or going high tech and designing robots. We are supporng the next genera-on of strong Indigenous people.
36 Jennifer Simpson HEALTHY BABIES HEALTHY CHILDREN Aani, My name is Jennifer Simpson, and I am the Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program Worker. I am Bear Clan and come from Anishinaabe of Wauzhushk Onigum in Kenora, Ontario. I am a Sixes Scoop survivor , so connecng to culture, building resili-ence, and strengthening families has been paramount in this work with young families, especially those at risk and involved with Child and Family services (CAS). The Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program provides Indigenous families healthy opportunies for the development of their children (0 – 6 years of age) through educaon and role modeling during home visits, service coordinaon and referrals. It is a voluntary program inclusive of early intervenon and prevenon services. Culturally appropriate and wholisc, the program oers opportunies for healthy childhood development through home visits and parcipant-based program acvies. IHBHC is funded through the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy. Home visitors deliver early educaon and support to families where they are—in their homes and on their terms. Through home vising, families can be educated and brought up to date on new informaon about health, child development and school readiness. The Home Visitor is like an “aune” to the family. They have experience and knowledge on children, and they know how to connect the family to supports in the community Home vising is a bridge that links the resources of the community with the safety of the home environment, empowering even isolated parents to build a beer future for themselves and their children. This past year included a variety of group program acvies. During the summer families met weekly at Shabogesic Beach for Beach Days. Nutrious and delicious lunches were provided, and the children loved playme together in the sand, swimming and playing in the park. Parcipants had special oungs to Leisure Farms for strawberry picking in July and to the pumpkin patch in October. Larger events like the Halloween Haunt and the Christmas Party with Santa were fun and entertaining for children, youth and par-ents. Cultural content for programming throughout the year included ribbon skirt making, medicine picking, making shakers and learning to make infant moccasins. Throughout the year the program has supported families by oering seasonal food hamper de-liveries, milk vouchers and infant supplies on a monthly basis. In an economy where the cost of living has increased, and household nances stretched any provisions have been a welcome supplement. It has been my pleasure to work closely with young families in the North Bay community!
37 Leo DeLoyde IN-HOUSE CONSULTANT I have been an acve member of the NBIFC for several years and very much enjoy friendship and cultural learning op-portunies. My earlier volunteer work focused on the Community Acon Circle Reconciliaon North Bay. Over the past 6 years, I have assisted in the organizaon of the annual summer Indigenous Art Show hosted by the Kennedy Gallery. I assisted the NBIFC in securing the lands opposite the IFC for the 30-unit Suswin Village transional Housing Project, securing municipal approvals, and contribung to its design and development. More recently, I am helping organize monthly Community Acon Circles to promote improved agency services and jusce for Indigenous peo-ples. I also provided input into the new Miskwaadesi Turtle project on Chippewa Creek Eco trail near Hammond Street. Over the last 5 months, I have been working closely with sta and the Board in preparing an updated Strategic Plan to guide decision-making between 2023 and 2025. Lori Hatch FAMILY COURT WORKER Aanii, Tansi, Hello, My name is Lori Hatch, and I am the Indigenous Family/Youth Court worker with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. I am Mes with roots from the Red River Valley area in Manitoba where much of my family sll resides. I have been with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for almost 10 years. In August 2012 I started as the Abo-riginal Best Start Co-Ordinator as a part-me employee. Within the year the Indigenous Healthy Babies program be-came available, and I transioned from a part-me posion to a full-me posion within the centre. In July 2017, I had the opportunity to change my role as an employee and started as the Indigenous Family/Youth Court worker and have connued in this role to this date. Since I began, the Indigenous Family/Youth Court program has been busy. It has pro-vided me with the opportunity for new challenges that have aided in my professional and personal growth. It is an hon-or to be able to support and advocate for families in the areas of child protecon, family, and youth court. The mandate of the Indigenous Family/Youth Court work Pro-gram is to assist, support and advocate for youth charged with a criminal oense under the Youth Criminal Jusce Act, sepa-rang couples, and parents involved in child welfare maers to beer understand their rights, opons and responsibilies when appearing before the courts and ensure that they receive fair treatment under the law. Thank you, Lori Hatch The Miskwaadesi Project
38 Natalie Wiseman SEVEN STONES ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL NIIZHWAAS ASINIIK SKOONWEH KAHN, EDUCATION COORDINATOR Marilyn Johnson FAS WORKER/COMMUNITY SUPPORT I have been in this posion since the end of September 2019, and I am a member of the Nipissing First Naon. My Spiritual name is, “Daughter of the Winter Moon”, and I belong to the Blue Heron Clan. It has been grafying to work with the FASD client families as well as other sta members of the NBIFC. This last year was a me of recovering from COVID-19 restricons and we were able to have indoor programming at the NBIFC. There was more collaboraon between programs especially with family events i.e., Indigenous Day, Halloween, Christmas events or the Pow Wow. Cultural programming was well aended. Generally, all events were overwhelmingly aended by community members, and in some cases, the public who want to learn more about Indigenous issues. Food security has been a serious issue for community members. When NBIFC had one-me funding for a complete food box with meat, vegetables and fruit, I delivered a few boxes to FASD/CN clients and one mother broke into tears because she was so grateful for the assistance for herself and her 3 children. Recipes have been oered, cooking classes, and shopping ps to enhance the North Bay Food Bank trips. Presentaons were made to Nipissing University students who were anxious to hear about the work that the NBIFC Program work-ers provide to Indigenous People. They didn’t want to hear about more “theory” but how we problem solve with limited resources. These students are potenal workers for Friendship Centre's. As always, I take this opportunity to say, “Migwetch!” to the Execuve Director, board members, and the Elder, for all their support and guidance. I am grateful for the support given by the ED and to know that her door is always open. A big Congratulaons! to all involved in the Suswin project across the road from NBIFC. Overall, for the FAS/CN program, it has been grafying to assist clients with support by telephone, in home visits, with food, and acvies. It demonstrates that sta care about the NBIFC community members. My name is Natalie Wiseman. I am originally from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. I relocated to North Bay in 2001 with my husband and two sons for a temporary military posng. 22 years later we have decided to make North Bay our home. I have been employed by the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre since January 2020 as the Family Support worker. In January 2022, I transferred to the Indigenous Secondary School Educaon Coordinator posion. The Alternave Secondary School Program (ASSP) is a partnership between the NBIFC and local school board. The pur-
39 pose of the ASSP is to address the needs of urban Indig-enous students and help them complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The ASSP aims to incorpo-rate cultural teachings and learning approaches as students prepare for workplace readiness, skills development and training, or for transions to mainstream high schools or post-secondary educaon instuons. The ASSP incorporates cultural informaon, resources, and materials into the program’s design, as well as acvies to facilitate students’ learning processes. The program provides a safe, trauma-informed learning environment which promotes a sense of belonging for learners. The ASSP incorporates self-esteem building intervenons into its service delivery to promote mental and emoonal well-being for the students in the program. This ensures that services are geared towards emphasizing wholisc wellness and student success. The ASSP incorporates culturally appropriate as-sessments and evaluaon tools into its design to provide a culturally based educaonal program. Through these fac-ets, the ASSP provides students with the necessary resources to gain credenals towards compleon of OSSD. Our program is structured and standardized to correspond with the following components: · Oers standard Ontario secondary school curriculum · Oers cultural programming (cultural credits) · Promotes Indigenous student success · Provides an alternave learning environment for Indigenous learners wishing to obtain their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) The cultural curriculum component allows for students to be introduced to a dierent way of learning, through an Indigenous pedagogical model which encourages crical thinking, innovave problem-solving and independence. This approach seeks to improve Indigenous students’ success at the secondary level, to increase graduaon rates of stu-dents and to posively impact the well-being of Urban Indigenous learners. This program model facilitates a safe learning environment for Urban Indigenous learners within Friendship Centre environments. We are honored to announce the naming of the school was ociated by our Elder, Richard Assinewai, Niizhwaas Asi-niik Skiinweh Kahn/Seven Stones Learning Centre. We celebrated our Grand opening in September 2022 and accepted our rst students in October 2022. I am grateful for the opportunity to facilitate the Indigenous Secondary School Edu-caon Program. I enjoy learning and connecng with the students. I am looking forward to connuing to provide qual-ity, nurturing and compassionate support to students entering the program. Miigwetch, Natalie Wiseman Educaon Coordinator, connued
40 Pearl Sandy COMMUNITY JUSTICE My name is Pearl Sandy, and I am a proud member of the Moose Cree First Naon, born and raised in Moose Factory. I have lived in Southern Ontario since 1996 and returned back to North Bay in January 2021. I am honored to be an employee with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for the past 25 months (about 2 years) as the Indigenous Community Jusce Program Coordina-tor. The ICJP originally started with 2 main components: Pre-Diversion and Post- Diversion. Pre-diversion parcipants are referred to the ICJP by Police before being charged with a summary oence, successful compleon of the pre-diversion program will result in no charges being laid for the oence commied. Post-diversion parcipants that are charged with a less serious charge (summary oences) are referred to the ICJP by the Crown Aorney's Oce. Crown will Screen the charge and determine if the potenal parcipant would benet from Indigenous Diversion. Upon a successful compleon of the post-diversion program will result in the charges being withdrawn (dropped), stayed (put on hold for a year), or Crown could request an 810 Peace Bond (keep the peace order with condions) to follow the discharge of charges for 12 months. Recently the ICJP has been designated as an Indigenous Specic – Inmate Partner Violence Prevenon (IS-IPVP) program. The IS-IPVP program is an alternave to the mainstream Partner Assault (PAR) Program. What recognizes the IS-IPVP program as an alter-nave to the PARS and PIP program? The Kizhaay Anishnaabe Niin “I am a Kind Man” program is the main component of the desig-naon. Indigenous parcipants have a choice to aend PARS or aend the IS-IPVP program. The objecve of the program is to eecvely address the causes of harmful behavior in a meaningful and culturally appropriate manner through healing and ulmately reduce the risk of recidivism. The length of the IS-IPVP program is dierent for everyone, could be anywhere from 3 to 10 months with excellent support throughout their journey. I have worked in the legal eld since 2011 and the past 25 months (about 2 years) working as the ICJP coordinator has been the most sasfying; being involved in a posive way and helping make a dierence between our urban Indigenous community and the jusce system. I am very excited for this new journey, and I look forward to working with the IS-IPVP advisory commiee and our new partners. Life is a journey not a desnaon -Ralph Waldo Emerson Miigwetch, Pearl Sandy There have been incredible people who have stopped in at the NBIFC over the past year. Groups walking across Canada to raise awareness about parcular Indigenous issues like the unmarked Residenal School gravesites are one such group. The NBIFC sta try to sup-port our Indigenous people in what-ever way we can. Our Orange Bear that was gied to us on TRC Day joined these walkers who were heading to the East Coast .
41 Pamela Lennips IASSE ASSISTANT Samantha Cooper FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER My name is Pamela Lennips. I am the Indigenous Alternave Secondary School Assistant. I was born and raised on the Six Naons Reserve and am part of the Oneida Naon, Iroquois Confederacy. North Bay has been my home for 20 years. I feel at home work-ing in the Friendship Centre environment because everyone makes you feel welcome. I don’t get homesick as much. As the Educaon Assistant, I have a wide range of dues and responsibilies. First and foremost, I support and assist the IASSE Co-ordinator in the planning, organizing and coordinaon of a breakfast and lunch program, as well as an annual graduaon celebra-on and ceremony for secondary students. Secondly, I provide general informaon to the students, sta and the public regarding the IASSE program. Thirdly, I assist with the intake of secondary student applicaons. I treat the students with consideraon, open-mindedness and compassion. There are things in the oce that I take care of as well. I maintain an inventory of program supplies, and order supplies as required. I shop for program material supplies. Maintaining regular upkeep of classroom and equipment is a daily duty that I perform. I sani-ze all rooms, oces and areas as required. I perform general oce dues, and other related dues as directed by the IASSE Coor-dinator. During lunch hour I have conversaons with the students to make them feel welcome and comfortable in the classroom environ-ment. Aaniin, wachay, boozhoo my name is Samantha Cooper, I am the Indigenous Family Support Worker. I’m an Anishnabe-Kwe from Temiskaming Shores. My roots, and family from Bear Island, Teme-Augama Anishinaabe-Temagami First Nation. I moved to North Bay in 2010, and reside here with my two daughters ages 10, and 15. Moving to North Bay has been one of the best choices I’ve made, I’m grateful for the location, and its proximity to beautiful lakes, impactful children and youth program-ming, and opportunities I’ve taken to further my education. My educational back-ground is Social Services/Mental Health and Addiction, as well as Office Administra-tion. In my spare time I enjoy canoeing and camping at the surrounding lakes in the Nipissing area, and of course Lake Temagami. In the long winter months, I like cross country skiing with my family, and am starting to learn how to bead, and sew- it’s a process let me tell you. The Family Support Program was designed to provide support, guidance, and direction to Indigenous families with children aged 0-6 years. The objective is to provide holistic and preventive programs and services deeply rooted in the Indigenous culture. This approach targets the preconceptions, prenatal, post natal, infant, toddler, and early development and learning years of a child. This environment sets the stage for children to creatively learn through play and also supports and encourages parent/caregiver participation.
42 Our programs are structured and standardized to correspond with the following components: Culture Development and Retention Child Development and Nutrition Parenting/Caretaker Skills Community Development Here are a few examples of programs offered to families during the year: Dad’s and Little Bannocks Traditional Crafts Parent Relief Community Kitchen Nutrition Bingo Seven Grandfather Teachings Parenting Classes School Readiness program Family Drop In Musical Babies and Tots After School Program Visiting local attractions- Community Gardens, library, walking trails Home Visits Special Events such as, but not limited to: Valentines Luncheon, Women’s Wellness Day, Mother’s Day Picnic, Father’s Day Picnic, Easter event, Halloween Party, Christmas Party This past year has been so amazing to work alongside the other children’s programs and to be a part of the chil-dren’s, and families’ transition to a healthier socially connected atmosphere, and community after the pandemic. Some highlights of the year have been: Our trips to Leisure Farms- Strawberry Picking, and Pumpkin Patch in the fall; our Beach Days with Healthy Ba-bies Healthy Children, and UAHLK; Matthews Maple Syrup outing this spring Starting an After School Program with the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, and Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Kids Program Drum teachings, and making taught by our Cultural Resource Coordinator, and Infant Moccasin Making taught by Katherine Sarazin for the Family Support, Prenatal, and Healthy Babies Healthy Children Programs. Grandmother Water teaching- assisted with Prenatal Program to organize event for women in our community Women’s Wellness Day- Assisted organizing with Prenatal Nutrition Program-A Time of Change: Discussion re-garding the different stages of life with many wonderful, knowledgeable speakers During this past fiscal year, the Family Support Program has serviced 56 families/caregivers with children in their care, and/or working towards getting their children in their care. The biggest barriers families face whom we ser-vice is food insecurity. We were very fortunate to get some additional support in this regard from the OFIFC or-ganized by our Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Coordinator, Trina Rickard to give some of our families in need food boxes -three times this spring 2023. We have voiced our concerns to our Program Consultant of Public Family Support Worker , connued
43 Serena Koostachin AKWE:GO My name is Serena Koostachin and I work as the Akwe: Go Coordinator in the North Bay Indige-nous Friendship Centre. Program Goal / Objecve: The Akwe: Go program has been specically designed to incorporate tradional cultural teachings and values to encourage healthy lifestyle choices to Urban Aborigi-nal children between age 7 to 12 years of age. The program objecves include provision of social support, promote health and physical development, Instuonal intervenon, special needs support and outreach to children in care. Client services: Assessment of specic needs of children in school and at the centre with one-on-one acon plan for clients. The rst few months were focused on learning emoonal regulaon and triggers while discovering ways to do healthy self-care and emoonal management. The following topics will focus on healthy boundaries and asserveness skills to build self-esteem. Aerschool programming: Parcipang in outdoor acvies and events such as aer-school one on one tutoring, pow-wow jams, “Lil Chefs,” and cultural cras is ongoing with the addion of organized physical acvies for the kids in the gym. Every Wednesday, we’ve also provided Dungeons and Dragons and got a good reoccurring group aending. Workshops and Cultural Acvies: We’ve been having mothers come in and help their children with regalia-making every Mondays and Thursday. Our goal is to help complete them before our upcoming Pow Wow in June. We have helped clients create either their rst or another ribbon skirt, teaching them the tradions and knowledge behind regalia and skirts. Health Programs through Public Health Agency of Canada, and it’s a concern across the country. We are hoping to eventually receive additional funding through Public Health Agency of Canada to relieve some of this pressure. It’s a privilege to be a part of the children’s, and families’ lives and see the friendships blossom among the fami-lies. It’s bittersweet, but I will be changing positions in June to be part of the Apatisiwin Program, as Employment Counsellor alongside Steven Guilbeault. I will miss my amazing co-workers Annette (Prenatal), and Cindy (Prenatal/Family Support Assistant) and of course the awesome families and kids. I’m happy that I’ll be able to utilize my office administration, and counselling skills from my background to be of service to our youth and community members to gain, and/or sustain meaningful employment, further their edu-cation, and enhance their skills. Baamaapii, Samantha Cooper CAPC- Indigenous Family Support Worker Family Support Worker , connued
44 Shelley Boucher CRIMINAL COURT My name is Shelley Boucher. I am the Indigenous Criminal Court Worker. I became an employee of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre in February 2018 as the Community Jusce Worker for 1 year prior to moving into the Criminal Court Worker. Prior to my posion here, I resided in Grand Prairie, Alberta from 2001 unl 2017 and was employed with the Department of Jusce as a Correconal Ocer for 10 years before moving into the Probaon Oce where I remained for 8 years. Since graduang from Saint Francis Xavier Uni-versity in 1995 with an Advanced Degree in Sociology and Psychology then compleng a year in the Criminal Jusce Program. I have worked within the Department of Jusce my enre career. I worked in various posions throughout my employment which included working with both adults and youth. My main objecves are to provide supports to the Indigenous Community in conict with the Criminal Jusce System. By empowering and encouraging the direct service user to take full responsibility for their acons and to make posive changes in their own lives to avoid further conict. My primary funcons are to help my clients with regards to the following: - Aend court and work directly with the Direct service user; - Interpret and/or explain any legal terminology as needed, and procedures; - Liaising with the Crown, Duty Counsel, Lawyers, Mental Health Court Worker, Drug and Alcohol worker, Kizhaay An-ishnaabe Niin Worker, Healing and Wellness program, Cultural Resource Coordinator, Suswin Housing Navigator and addional programs as required; - Explain the decisions the court makes in various stages of the court processes; - Advocate for diversion when applicable; - Assist vicms of oences to understand their rights and refer them to the appropriate supporve services, provide there is no conict of interest with the accused person; - Meeng with and/or contacng all those involved with the direct service users upon request; - Aend jails in the area providing informaon and moral support Presently I sit on the Bail Commiee and HSJCC (Human Services and Jusce Coordinang Commiee). I believe that I am a self-movated dedicated individual who takes great pride in my work. My passion for my job is reected through my eorts with the direct service users and connecons and collaboraons made with colleagues and partners in the community to make this program and those involved successful! In Friendship, Shelley Boucher Red Dress Day, May 5, 2023.
45 Shelly Storie-Gregoire COMMUNITY LIAISON PROBATION AND PAROLE My name is Shelly S-Gregoire, and my posion at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre is the Probaon and Pa-role Indigenous Liaison. I have been in this posion going on eleven years. The Probaon and Parole Indigenous Liaison program promotes the healing and wellness of Indigenous clients by coor-dinang contemporary and cultural support services that encourage pro-social problem solving and making healthier choices through the parcipaon support services based on the individual’s unique needs and preferences. Also, pro-mote and engage clients to live a healthy, criminal-free lifestyle. The Probaon and Parole Indigenous Liaison develops a client service plan geared to rehabilitaon, including Idenca-on of problem (risk/needs issues), analysis of problem (risk/needs issues) and strategies to address the risk/needs. During the intervenon phase the Probaon and Parole Indigenous Liaison reports to probaon services as predeter-mined in consultaon. This includes clients progress and or non-compliance, monitor client’s aendance, level of par-cipaon, atude, behavior and response/growth. In addion, to alert probaon services of any deviaons or non-compliance with the client’s service plan, for the purposes of enforcement. SHELLY S-GREGOIRE Skye Bradshaw NATIVE INMATE LIASON (NILO) My name is Skye Bradshaw. I am the Nave Inmate Liaison Ocer (NILO) I became an employee of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre in March 2023 as the NILO. In this posion I work out of the North Bay Jail 4 days a week and one day at the Friendship Centre. Prior to my posion here, I lived in Barrie for 16 years. I graduated from Canadore College in 2008 with a Social Service Worker Diploma. My background in em-ployment includes Family and Community Services Worker for the Salvaon Army, Youth Outreach Counsellor for Youth Haven in Barrie and Indigenous Housing First Case Manager for Simcoe County for Empower Simcoe. My primary funcons are to help my clients with regards to the following: - Keep them connected to their spirituality by providing them with Sacred Medicines, smudging and teachings. - Oering learning opportunies. - Liaising with the Criminal Court Worker, Lawyers, Correconal Ocers, Friendship Centre, Mental Health and Addic-ons Ocer, Social Workers and families of the clients. - Run Indigenous Programming. - Advocate on behalf of the clients.
46 Steve Guilbeault APATISIWIN - Inform them of their rights and about Glaude leers. - Oer counselling in a group seng or one on one. My goal for my program is to make the individuals feel empowered, connected and heard. My hope is that by oering this program and connecng these individuals to outside resources for connuity of care, the rehabilitaon of individu-als will be higher. Skye Bradshaw NILO Worker, connued Aanii! Boozhoo! Wachay! Greengs NBIFC Members, Management, Board of Direc-tors, and Colleagues! My name is Steven Guilbeault, and I am the Apasiwin Program Coordinator/Employment Counsellor at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. I have been in this role since 2018. I am originally from Maawa Ontario and have lived in North Bay for almost 30 years. I have close es to the Mi'kmaq and Algonquin Naons. I have been happily married for 26 years and have a 22-year son. I am also a proud graduate of Nipissing University and have worked in the Social Services/Employment Counselling eld since 2005. In my spare me, I like to play guitar and paint with watercolor. The 2023-2024 scal year recently began and Apasiwin has hit the ground run-ning…again! Just 2 months in to our rst quarter of the 2023-2024 year and we have almost reached the total sponsorships approved in the last scal The increase in de-mand may be aributed to a variety of factors including: ever changing economic and labour market trends, emphasise on skills trades, second careers, and increased awareness/promoon of the Apasiwin Program. How do we plan to keep up with the demand? NBIFC will be hiring a second Employment and Training Counsellor. We are very excited about this and look forward to what the future holds. What does the Apasiwin Program hope to accomplish this scal year? · First and foremost, we will strive to engage with more youth and to provide one-on-one pre-employment training and career exploraon. · We will also connue to emphasize the importance of youth employment opportunies and grow our registered employer base by oering our on-the-job Targeted wage subsidy program to eligible employers; this will ensure that registered clients will receive proper training and guidance · The expansion of workshops, outreach, job coaching, and community building acvies will also be a goal of the program this scal year. · To oer job seekers connued support by providing access to computers, internet, telephone, and related resources. · Our employment services/resource room will also see a gradual expansion as more equipment and resources are added. · The program will connue to provide various support via our funded and non-funded intervenons.
47 Trina Rickard HEALTHY LIVING Wachay Misiwe, It’s been a great busy year providing services/acvies to our community members and clients.Here is a list of some of the acvies I have been doing. · Indigenous Chopped (Mystery Ingredient) · School visitaons providing Cultural teachings/cras · Nutrional Supports · Monthly Fitness Challenges (Walking/Running/Push up/Plank/Arm & Legs) · Cra/Tradional Teaching workshops · Suswin Village Quilt Project · Regalia Workshops · Chair Yoga/Zumba Mikwec Yours in health, Trina · To collaborate with community partners to ensure seamless wrap around services. · To connue to strengthen current community partnerships and to connect with future partners in the employment educaon, and training sectors The Apasiwin Program will connue to support our community and its members through a variety of services and intervenons. Our primary goal is to ensure that urban-Indigenous people have the tools, educaon, and skills necessary to nd and sustain meaningful employment. Miigweetch/Thank you Students from High Schools across North Bay came to learn how to make ribbon skirts.
48 Thaila Sarazin CULTURAL RESOURCES COORDINATOR My name is Thaila Sarazin, I’m part of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan rst naon, and I work in the Cultural Resource program. I previously worked at the NBIFC as part of the Children’s Wellness, and more recently, the Healing and Wellness program. Program acvies include a range of things, including partnership with other programs and acvies, however, my focus has been on educaonal workshops such as Cultural Safety and Grief, Drumming and singing pracce and cras such as Quill and Birchbark Medallions. Partnerships include things like Berry fast teachings, and Spring and Fall Fasng camps.
49 Becky Mathies CASE MANAGER SUSWIN VILLAGE TEAM My name is Bernice Sandra Kataquapit, I am a Cree originally from Aawapiskat First Naon. I aended high school in North Bay many years ago and hung around the Friendship Centre during my high school years and have a lot of fond memories of the drop-in centre. There were two special ladies that worked in the IFC drop-in centre, Mary Jo and Bey. There was also another lady named Doris, she was also very welcoming, who was the custodian that had a laughter that was contagious. This was my earliest experience at the Friendship Centre. I moved back to Aawapiskat for several years for employment. I then returned to North Bay and aended Canadore College as an adult student and received a Diploma in Social Service Worker. I have almost 16 years of ex-perience within the Crisis Centre North Bay (Four Elms and Futures Residence). I also worked at the North Bay Recovery Home as a casual aendant/addicon worker for 10 years. I was a volunteer for Vicm Services of Nipissing District for 11 years. I am very thankful for the work and volunteer experience, as it will help me in my new posion as Case Worker within the North Bay Indige-nous Friendship Centre in the Suswin Village Transional Housing Program. I am excited to be a part of the Suswin Team, as a case worker. I am a mother of one daughter named Erica who is my pride and joy. We have a family pet that is a miniature schnauzer named Reader. I enjoy reading, walking, and watching movies. Aanii, Hello There, I am Becky Mathies and very proud to introduce myself as the Case Manager at Suswin Village by the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. Although from a small town in Southern Ontario, I have a passion for our community and have worked in the social service eld locally for over ten years. Suswin Village to me is a place of hope, it represents opportunity and provides elements which foster an individual's strength and sense of community. With caring, knowledgeable sta, diverse cultural resources and open spaces for residents to gather, learn, share and grow, Suswin Village is a safe, secure therapeuc place to heal from the past and transion into a future. Bernice Kataquapit CASE WORKER Kerry Hamilton CASE WORKER My name is Kerry Hamilton and I am one of the new Suswin Village Transion Home Case Workers. I recently relocated to the North Bay area from my home community of Elliot Lake. Elliot Lake’s populaon is much smaller than it was when I was growing up, however, it remained a great place for me to raise my family. I graduated from the Social Service Worker Program in 2001 at Cambrian College and have been working in the Social Services eld since prior to graduang, so am fortunate bring to the team 20 plus years experience working in supporng individuals of all ages with managing their mental health and addicons. A large por-on of my focus has been on trauma and trauma informed care. My job prior to joining this amazing team was working with Indig-
50 Boozhoo, I am Adrian Boast from Curve Lake rst naon reserve No.35 AKA (Buckhorn) the Ojibwe people in Peterborough known for Manoomin (wild rice). I work at the Suswin village transional house as a custodian/ maintenance worker (Suswin means Nest in the Ojiway Language. I love it! Every day is always something new, and we are all sll learning which is good for not just the cli-ents but all the workers as well. I plan on staying here for quite a while as I enjoy what I do plus seeing all the people grow with each other enous families as a Family Well-Being Worker. I have three wonderful adult children- a daughter and two sons and they connue to make me a proud parent with their dedica-on, spirit and personalies. My partner and I enjoy much of our me together outdoors (this winter has been a lile strange so far though, it’s been dicult to enjoy snowshoeing or get out on the slopes!), relaxing and being entertained by our pets (2 dogs and 3 cats) who have some fun personalies that never cease to keep us on our toes. I also enjoy various forms of art such as mu-sic, macramé and wire working. Miigwetch, Kerry Adrian Boast MAINTENANCE Cheryl Desrochers WLE PROGRAM COOK Good day here is a lile about me. My name is Cheryl Desrochers. I am a mother to three girls. Married to Dan, he has two children, we have 14 grandkids 7 girls and 7 boys. I was born in Burnaby BC and moved to Toronto when I was three years old. Then I moved to Longlac Ontario. Then Moved to North Bay in 2010. I have been in the cooking eld for about 30 years. I have been lucky to have been hired at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Center to work at the Suswin house as the WLE let’s Eat program cook. I will be teaching Residents how to cook healthy; I will also be teaching how to shop healthy when on a budget, prepare them to be able to go out on their own and be able to make it with healthy resources.
51 My name is Jade Chevrier, I'm from Kebaowek First Naon (Kipawa Lake). I have been employed at Suswin Village since March. I work full me evening/night shis. In my spare me I like to play guitar or spend me outside (swimming/shing). My name is Jusn Sackaney, and I call Fort Albany First Naon home. I have been living in North Bay since 2018, nishing up a Mas-ter of Educaon at Nipissing University. I'm also remotely employed with Indigenous Sport Wellness Ontario, coordinang youth sporng and leadership events throughout the Northeast region of Ontario. I try my best to live an acve life so I can keep up with my children, as they have been keeping me busy with their unlimited energy. I have been employed at Suswin Village since March, and I am enjoying my me there as everyone has welcomed me with open arms. Jade Chevrier CLIENT CARE WORKER Justin Sackaney CLIENT CARE WORKER Ken Perrier CLIENT CARE WORKER Hello, please let me introduce myself. My name is Ken Perrier. I've been recently hired as a Night Client Care person at the Suswin Village. I am looking forward to working with the Suswin team. I made some new friends along the way. Awesome people! and a great team. A lile about myself... I grew up in Oawa but was born in Temiscaming Qc. Prently I beside in Kebaowek Qc. I am a member of Kebaowek First Naon. I've worked mostly for Kebaowek for over 20 years in housing construcon and renovaons, public works and historical researcher land claims. Recently I've worked security at Crisis Centre, Low barrier and Northen Pines. I am gold, Cote Gold project in Gogama Ont. I enjoy being outdoors whether it be being on Lake Kipawa snowmobiling, sailing with friends + family on the pontoon. Always have a great me! Well, enough about me... I'm rambling on. hahaha. A new chapter and new beginnings in my life. Thank you NBIFC for the opportunity. The people living at Suswin Village have many supports to help them learn to live in a way that reects mino-biimadzwin. Houseplants are a nice homey touch.
52 My name is Mike MacDonald, and I am pleased to have joined the Suswin Village team as part-me Relief Worker with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. I am Aboriginal (Cree) born in Moose Factory but raised in nearby Moosonee. I am a member of the For Albany First Naon and have lived o and on in North Bay for 15 years. I aended Canadore College (Social Work) in 1997, then went on to study and graduated from Nipissing University (Criminal Jusce) for my B.A Honours (2003). I then moved to Oawa for a year (2004) to fur-ther explore my educaon (M.A Criminology) at the University of Oawa where my research was on restorave jusce. However, aer a year, I felt I needed to return home to work and support my family. Over the years I have been working in various capacies. I currently work with Aboriginal Legal Services as a Gladue Writer which I nd challenging yet rewarding. I have also worked in Mental Health, Educaon, Health, Government, Community & Social Services. I come from a large family, and I have two children and two grandchildren (Idencal twin boys). I enjoy music (musician), art (arst), outdoors, shing, hunng, company, dining, aending cultural events and mainstream concerts when I can. Overall, I am prey chill, professional and I enjoy humorous discussions. I feel I have a lot to oer, and I hope we get the opportunity to meet someme in the near future. Meeg-wetch Mike MacDonald CLIENT CARE WORKER My name is Taranpreet Singh. I was born and brought up in Punjab that is a province in India. I stayed there for 19 years before coming to Canada. I was born in a Punjabi joint family, and I come from a culture which is characterized by its rich heritage, joyful spirit, and sense of community. Language, Food, and dancing have great importance in our culture. I did my schooling in a private school locally where I opted for the humanies stream which included sociology and psychology. During this period, I got interested in the social service work eld and then I started exploring opons to expand my knowledge. So, the beer exposure and the varie-ty of programs available led me to choose Canada to start my new journey. I completed my 2 years of Social Service Worker in April from Canadore College, North Bay which gave me a beer comprehensive understanding of my subject. Outside of academic pur-suits, I am passionate about embracing the vibrant diverse culture and engaging in community acvies. I am very excited to work as a client care worker in Suswin Village, which I found is a great place to work to get well-rounded experience and knowledge. I found myself good in communicaon, acve listening and cultural competence skills which have helped me to give my best to every task I am assigned. In conclusion, my journey as a student from India studying in Canada is one of self-discovery, growth and cultural immersion and I am excited to embrace the opportunies that this community has to oer, forge lifelong connecons, and make a posive impact in both my academic and personal spheres. Taranpreet Singh CLIENT CARE WORKER Willie is one of the rst resi-dents of Suswin Village, and has embraced making this place his nest. Willie made a whole bunch of dreamcatch-ers to sell at the Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow.
53 1. 2023 AGM Opening Ceremonies 2. Opening Prayer – Richard Assinewai 3. Call to Order/ Roll Call (Board Secretary Joyce Shor-Lavigne) 4. Welcoming Remarks & Introducon of the Board - Maurice Switzer 5. Review & Acceptance of Agenda 6. Review & Approval of 2022 AGM Minutes 7. Presentaon by Special Guest Derek D’Angelo, KPMG Auditors 8. Review & Approval of Audited Financial Statements for Year Ended 2023 9. Appointment of Auditors for 2023/2024 10. Dinner is served 11. Presentaon from a Suswin Village resident. Willie 12. Naming of NBIFC Strategic Plan Presentaon by Richard Assinewai 13. NBIFC Strategic Plan Presentaon by Leo DeLoyde 14. Acceptance of 2023/2026 NBIFC Strategic Plan 15. President’s Report – Maurice Switzer 16. Execuve Director’s Report – Kathy Forn 17. Introducon of NBIFC Sta – each to introduce self and program years of service 18. Elecons and Nominaons 19. Adjournment 2023 North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre Annual General Meeng Agenda