Item - 2021.CA26.3

Appointees' biographies:

Cynthia Bell-Clayton

I am a member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Odawa, Ojibway and Pottawatomi ancestry, functional speaker of Odawa/Ojibway, moved 9 years ago to Toronto with 3 children. I have extensive knowledge with both living on and off reserve. I was Cultural Programmer in Wikwemikong for over 15 years supporting the community to reclaim our language, culture and history. Since being in Toronto, I helped youth create their own agency to support their growth to healthy independent living.

Leonard Benoit

Leonard Benoit is Qualipu Mi’Kmag First Nations from the territory of Newfoundland and Labrador. His spirit name is Circling Wolf, and he is Wolf Clan. He has a valid Ontario Nursing license and has been practicing for the last 21 years. He also holds certification in the Community Worker Program, he has completed Palliative Care Certification through Seneca College, and he is also a Death Doula. Currently he is finishing a Thanalogy program at Centennial College.

Nora Boyer

My name is Nora Jane Boyer. My spirit name is Spring Water Spirit Women. My roots derive from North and South America. My clans are eagle and condor for which I take great pride. I have worked in urban and rural community in non-profit and for multiple government positions for approximately 2.5 decades beginning at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. I have great passion to foster healthy relations with all nations and to be a strong mentor for my two beautiful children.

Isaac Crosby

Isaac Crosby comes from a small farming community 30 minutes south of Windsor, ON called Harrow, ON. He is proud of his Ojibwa/Black Canadian heritage and looks forward to sharing their histories. He studied Landscape Horticulture Tech at Humber College and currently leads urban agriculture programming at Evergreen Brick Works, now virtually! He incorporates his education and traditional First Nations farming to grow great crops, to teach others, and to do his part in saving the Earth.

Chris Lefebvre

Originally from Northern Ontario, and a member of Mattagami First Nation, Chris is a graduate of the University of Ottawa. Throughout his career, he has never wavered in the focus and attention he puts toward Indigenous economic development. This includes his work at Shell Canada, Scotiabank, as well as in his home community of Mattagami. When he’s away from work, Chris maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys mountain biking, paddle boarding and golf.

Christine Luza

As a speaker, researcher and consultant, Christine advises educators, governments, and institutions on how to improve relations with Indigenous peoples.She has more than 15 years of experience in Toronto supporting cultural renewal,innovative programs,research and development in Indigenous agencies.Christine has impacted more than 5,000 people through Indigenous education and training. She has advised the Canadian Senate,and draws inspiration from the leaders in her community in all of her work.

Saige McMahon

Saige McMahon is queer Anishinaabekwe (she/her) settler mix originally from Treaty 3 Territories, Rainy River First Nations. Saige has always found a passion in learning about and upholding the rights of others while working directly alongside community. Currently residing in Toronto, Saige is the Manager of Harm Reduction and Programming at 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations.

Patricia Pettigrew

I am a member of the Algonquins of Pikwaknangan First Nation. I have been involved in the Toronto Indigenous Community for over 50 years. I am the founder and Executive Director of Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society. TWHLS is the first Indigenous Healing Lodge in Ontario for Indigenous women leaving Canada's correctional institutions. I am dedicated to the advancement of First Nations, Metis, Inuit and 2SLGBTQ+ people across Canada.

Tristen Schneider

Tristen is an Anishinaabe-Dene facilitator, advocate, and entrepreneur from Shawanaga First Nation Ojibway Territory. She is a forthcoming young woman distinct in various trilateral political advocacy work for First Nations Youth focused on Mental Health & Life Promotion initiatives in previous networks; the Independent First Nations, Ontario First Nations Young People’s Council, Feathers of Hope, Chiefs of Ontario, and Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.

Suzanne Stewart

Dr. Suzanne L Stewart is a member of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation. She is a registered psychologist and Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at U of T, where she is an Associate Professor in the Division of Social and Behaviour Health Sciences. Research and teaching interests include Indigenous health and healing with specializations psychology, homelessness, and Indigenous knowledges methodologies.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 14, 2022:

Cynthia Bell-Clayton

Leonard Benoit

Nora Boyer

Isaac Crosby

Chris Lefebvre

Christine Luza

Saige McMahon

Patricia Pettigrew

Tristen Schneider

Suzanne Stewart

2. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (November 25, 2021) from the Director, Indigenous Affairs Office remain confidential as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals who are being considered for appointment to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee.

Candidates' biographies:

Cynthia Bell-Clayton

I am a member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Odawa, Ojibway and Pottawatomi ancestry, functional speaker of Odawa/Ojibway, moved 9 years ago to Toronto with 3 children. I have extensive knowledge with both living on and off reserve. I was Cultural Programmer in Wikwemikong for over 15 years supporting the community to reclaim our language, culture and history. Since being in Toronto, I helped youth create their own agency to support their growth to healthy independent living.

Leonard Benoit

Leonard Benoit is Qualipu Mi’Kmag First Nations from the territory of Newfoundland and Labrador. His spirit name is Circling Wolf, and he is Wolf Clan. He has a valid Ontario Nursing license and has been practicing for the last 21 years. He also holds certification in the Community Worker Program, he has completed Palliative Care Certification through Seneca College, and he is also a Death Doula. Currently he is finishing a Thanalogy program at Centennial College.

Nora Boyer

My name is Nora Jane Boyer. My spirit name is Spring Water Spirit Women. My roots derive from North and South America. My clans are eagle and condor for which I take great pride. I have worked in urban and rural community in non-profit and for multiple government positions for approximately 2.5 decades beginning at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. I have great passion to foster healthy relations with all nations and to be a strong mentor for my two beautiful children.

Isaac Crosby

Isaac Crosby comes from a small farming community 30 minutes south of Windsor, ON called Harrow, ON. He is proud of his Ojibwa/Black Canadian heritage and looks forward to sharing their histories. He studied Landscape Horticulture Tech at Humber College and currently leads urban agriculture programming at Evergreen Brick Works, now virtually! He incorporates his education and traditional First Nations farming to grow great crops, to teach others, and to do his part in saving the Earth.

Chris Lefebvre

Originally from Northern Ontario, and a member of Mattagami First Nation, Chris is a graduate of the University of Ottawa. Throughout his career, he has never wavered in the focus and attention he puts toward Indigenous economic development. This includes his work at Shell Canada, Scotiabank, as well as in his home community of Mattagami. When he’s away from work, Chris maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys mountain biking, paddle boarding and golf.

Christine Luza

As a speaker, researcher and consultant, Christine advises educators, governments, and institutions on how to improve relations with Indigenous peoples.She has more than 15 years of experience in Toronto supporting cultural renewal,innovative programs,research and development in Indigenous agencies.Christine has impacted more than 5,000 people through Indigenous education and training. She has advised the Canadian Senate,and draws inspiration from the leaders in her community in all of her work.

Saige McMahon

Saige McMahon is queer Anishinaabekwe (she/her) settler mix originally from Treaty 3 Territories, Rainy River First Nations. Saige has always found a passion in learning about and upholding the rights of others while working directly alongside community. Currently residing in Toronto, Saige is the Manager of Harm Reduction and Programming at 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations.

Patricia Pettigrew

I am a member of the Algonquins of Pikwaknangan First Nation. I have been involved in the Toronto Indigenous Community for over 50 years. I am the founder and Executive Director of Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society. TWHLS is the first Indigenous Healing Lodge in Ontario for Indigenous women leaving Canada's correctional institutions. I am dedicated to the advancement of First Nations, Metis, Inuit and 2SLGBTQ+ people across Canada.

Tristen Schneider

Tristen is an Anishinaabe-Dene facilitator, advocate, and entrepreneur from Shawanaga First Nation Ojibway Territory. She is a forthcoming young woman distinct in various trilateral political advocacy work for First Nations Youth focused on Mental Health & Life Promotion initiatives in previous networks; the Independent First Nations, Ontario First Nations Young People’s Council, Feathers of Hope, Chiefs of Ontario, and Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.

Suzanne Stewart

Dr. Suzanne L Stewart is a member of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation. She is a registered psychologist and Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at U of T, where she is an Associate Professor in the Division of Social and Behaviour Health Sciences. Research and teaching interests include Indigenous health and healing with specializations psychology, homelessness, and Indigenous knowledges methodologies.

The report recommends the appointment of 10 public members to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee.