Speakers
Elder Andy Anderson
Pinaymootang First Nation
Chief Larson Anderson
Norway House Cree Nation
Larson Anderson is the Chief of Norway House Cree Nation, where he was born, grew up and has raised his own family. He has extensive experience in Economic, Financial and Business Management. His recent activities include being elected as the Chief of the Norway House Cree Nation, working with the Northern Authority to improve Child and Family services in the North, and managing the Kinosao Sipi Multiplex to improve economic development in the community of Norway House.
Larson Anderson was elected Councillor for Norway House Cree Nation in 1994 to 1998, operated a local business to create employment and economic development and was hired as the Manager for the Kinosao Sipi Multiplex. Larson then became interested in pursuing his Education at the University of Manitoba and completed a Bachelor of Arts Program.
He and his wife Lisa live in Norway House and have four daughters, son-in-law and grand-daughter.
National Chief RoseAnne Archibald
Assembly of First Nations
Click here to view National Chief RoseAnne Archibald’s biography.
Doris Bear
CFNHM, Health Manager, Peguis First Nation
Frank Bighead
Director of Housing and Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council
Frank Bighead is a Member of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation near Prince Albert Saskatchewan. Frank has tickets as a Fire Prevention & Inspection Officer, Fire Investigations, Building Operator “A” in Facilities Maintenance, Class-1 Building Inspector and is Journeyman Carpenter.
Frank has been the Director for the Prince Albert Grand Council Housing & Technical Services since January 2010. Frank started work with the Prince Albert Grand Council in 1979 and has worked for the Grand Council for 43 years.
Frank has also represented Saskatchewan on a number of Housing Boards, Facilitated under RFSO agreement with CMHC to deliver Training Courses Technical Training including Mold Remediation, Indoor Air Quality and Basic Home Maintenance.
Frank has presented to the Senate of Canada’s Aboriginal People’s Special Committee on First Nation Housing and Infrastructure and represented Saskatchewan at the AFN CCOHI, Joint Chiefs / Technician Committee on First Nation Housing & Infrastructure.
Clayton Bird
Housing Circuit Rider Trainer, Housing and Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council
Clayton Bird (Woodland Cree) is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), situated in Northern Saskatchewan.
Clayton previously worked in the LLRIB Housing Department for 19 years and he retired early as the Housing Manager in 2021. Clayton came out of retirement to become a Housing Circuit Rider Trainer with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), in 2022.
As a trainer, he works with 12 PAGC Northern First Nations and their housing staff to help improve the community’s capacity in their housing departments with their day-to-day operations and best practices. Support comes in the form of Training, Mentorship and providing advice on any housing-related issues, including Administration and Management. Clayton has 6 adult children and 7 beautiful grandchildren.
Marcel Brascoupé
Project Manager, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation
Marcel Brascoupe is a native living in the Algonquin First Nation community of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg located approximately 140 kilometers north of Ottawa, Ont.
Marcel is today a certified general contractor specializing in the installation of radon mitigation systems since 2009. Marcel is also a bilingual C-NRPP national certified trainer offering radon measurement, mitigation and CRNCH courses throughout Canada including in First Nation communities.
Marcel first got involved with radon back in 2008-2009 with a major radon measurement project in his own community which involved the measurement of radon in 424 homes built in the community at the time. Following the measurement of those homes, Marcel became project manager for the corrective work necessary in over 180 of those homes and public buildings which were found to have high levels of radon. Following that experience, Marcel travelled to the USA to get certified in radon measurement and radon mitigation through the US National Radon Proficiency Program and brought that certification back to Canada where he along with several other colleagues across Canada got together and formed the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) and has been an active member of the association since then.
Since 2010, Marcel has been an active participant in the development of our own Canadian certification programs for Radon along with the development of (2) CGSB Standards for radon mitigation in existing buildings and new constructions. Marcel has also participated in or co-authored several scientific papers on radon mitigation.
David Cooper
Housing Inspector/ Building Official, Housing and Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council
David Cooper is a housing inspector for the Prince Albert Grand Council. His first role at the Tribal Council was to assist, train and provide maintenance support for Health Facilities.
During his time at the Health and Social department, he constructed the framework for maintenance program development for the twelve First Nations communities.
In 2011, David obtained his Licensed Building Official designation and moved over to the Housing and Technical Service department where he has been since.
As a proponent of continued education, he is currently enrolled in the First Nations Housing Professional certification program.
Marion Crowe
Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Health Managers Association
Marion is a proud member of the Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan and was the founding Executive Director, now Chief Executive Officer of the First Nations Health Managers Association.
Assisting community members in the development of professional development opportunities and certification has always been a passion for Marion, as she was a founding Board of Director for the Saskatchewan Chapter of AFOA Canada.
Marion has been awarded achievement milestones, such as: A Health Canada Deputy Minister’s Award of Excellence; A Centennial Leadership Award from the Province of Saskatchewan; and the AFOA Canada – Xerox Canada National Award of Excellence in Aboriginal Leadership in 2015. Marion was also the first person in Canada to receive her CAFM, CAPA and CFNHM designations, from AFOA Canada and FNHMA.
On June 21, 2017 Marion was appointed as the first Indigenous person to The Ottawa Hospital, Board of Governors and currently sits as the Vice Chair of the Quality Committee. Marion is also a member of the Leadership and Governance Technical Committee with the International Health Standards Organization. In May 2018 Marion attended the Harvard Business School and completed ‘Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities’ certificate.
Most recently, Marion has been appointed as the first Indigenous person to the Ottawa Hospital Health Research Institute, Board of Governors and currently sits as the Vice-Chair.
Brooke Duggan
Housing and Wellness Program Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Christine Edward
Specialist – Client Solutions, Indigenous and Northern Housing Solutions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Christine joined CMHC in August 2022 as a Specialist on the Client Solution’s Saskatchewan and Manitoba team within the Indigenous and Northern Housing Solutions Division. As a Specialist based in Winnipeg, Christine works with Indigenous communities and organizations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to share information on, support access to and assist in submission of applications to CMHC programs for on and off-reserve affordable housing initiatives.
Before joining CMHC, Christine worked as a municipal planner in the Metro Vancouver region focusing in the areas of land use planning, rezoning and development, transportation planning, and parks planning. She has also worked as a researcher for an Indigenous environmental non-profit organization completing projects in and with First Nations on issues such as climate change impacts to winter roads and supporting sustainable initiatives in First Nation communities.
Christine is passionate about the work that she does with Indigenous communities to support in delivery of projects that create homes for our people.
Scott Flamand
Consultant, Flamand Management Services and Member of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
Scott is a consultant who specializes in On-Reserve Housing as well as Financial Management. His services include Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Policy Development, Home Ownership and training, as well as community consultations. He is a First Nation Member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island in Ontario.
His extensive experience in housing, finance and accounting allow him to provide expert advice to clients on such topics as CMHC Section 95 management, setting up housing authorities, financing large housing projects, home ownership and property management. He also provides CMHC workshops on property management and administration, as well as consulting for First Nations Market Housing Fund.
Mr. Flamand resides in Wiikwemikoong with his family and enjoys the outdoors in his spare time.
Guy Gosselin
CFNHM, Executive Director, Ginew Wellness Center
Guy Gosselin is a Certified First Nations Health Manager CFNHM and the Executive Director of the Ginew Wellness Center located on Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation in Manitoba.
Guy has over 25 years experience in Health management and administration. He has successfully overseen six building management projects related to health, and implemented three Electronic Medical Record EMR systems with multiple sites.
As a team, the Ginew Wellness Center achieved Accreditation status through Accreditation Canada. His experience spans between a Regional Health Authority, Manitoba Health and several years of on reserve health management.
Guy has also worked eight years in Africa with a Nongovernmental organization collaborating with the Senegalese government on Health and literacy projects. Guy enjoys spending time with his wife, five children their spouses and twelve grandchildren.
Roxanne Harper
FNHP, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member
Roxanne is Mi’kmaq from the Eel Ground First Nation in New Brunswick.
Roxanne is a founding Board member of the First Nations Housing Professionals Association (FNHPA). She is a partner in Turtle Island Associates Inc, an Aboriginal business committed to supporting the efforts of First Nation communities by providing housing advisory and training services.
Roxanne has worked on Aboriginal housing issues for over 30 years and has extensive experience moderating workshops and facilitating community consultations. Roxanne has co-developed several adult educational curricula (e.g. Enhanced Arrears Management, Portfolio Management by Housing Tenure) and facilitates sessions to First Nation clients across the country.
Roxanne holds a certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University, N.S. and is a certified FNHP.
Saad Jalili
Senior Environmental Public Health Officer, Manitoba Region, Indigenous Services Canada
Saad Jalili is the Senior Environmental Public Health Officer with Indigenous Service Canada – First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. Saad is a certified public health inspector with over 8 years of experience working with First Nations communities.
He is currently with FNIHB – Environmental Public Health Division working on the healthy housing team. Prior to working at the national office, Saad was a field officer providing environmental public health services to First Nations communities in Manitoba region.
John Kiedrowski
Project Manager, First Nations National Building Officers Association
Mr. Kiedrowski, has been working in the area of First Nations for the past 30 years. For many of these years, he continues to work with FNNBOA as their project manager. His focus these days are on authority having jurisdiction, the development of Indigenous Building Knowledge Exchange, and what this means for Chief and Council and the construction of homes, building codecompliance. John was also the executive producer for the FNNBOA’s podcast series called “home on the rez” that was played on your local radio stations. They just finished three seasons.
John has another life where he works as a criminologist and his main areas of study is in First Nation policing and other related Indigenous policing issues. He has published in these areas and much of his work has been referenced by various federal and provincial committees.
Linda Larcombe
Associate Professor, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Dr. Linda Larcombe is an Associate Professor in the Rady Faculty of Health Science at the University of Manitoba.
Her research interests include medical and molecular anthropology, infectious diseases in contemporary and ancient human populations, cultural resource management and determinants of health.
She partners with First Nations to investigate the social, biologic, environmental and genetic risk factors for health and illness. In partnership with the northern Manitoba Dene, this work has particularly focused on the need for culturally appropriate housing, engaging youth in traditional knowledge and on land-based practices and health.
Claude Lawrenson
Consultant, First Nations National Building Officers Association
Claude is a retired Professor of Architecture in the School of Engineering at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Prior work experience includes both construction project and facilities management in the building and design fields. Claude offers a wealth of experience in building inspection, reporting and technical building research work; including published papers for CMHC and the Canadian Institute of Quantity.
Claude has been involved in the home inspection sector since 1987. He has served in various capacities at both the provincial and national level as an education representative in the home inspection sector.
Claude authored and co-produced online training for the Humber College Home Inspection Program. He also updated courses for Inspecting Existing Dwellings, Rehabilitation of Existing Dwellings and Energuide for First Nation Inspections.
Nancy Pine
Senior Projects Officer, First Nations Marketing Housing Fund
Nancy Pine has been a Senior Program Officer with the First Nations Market Fund for nine years.
The Senior Program Officer is responsible for assessing a First Nation application, concluding with a recommendation for a First Nation approval to participate in the Fund’s Credit Enhancement Facility and/or Capacity Development Program.
A champion of advancing Indigenous relations and well-being, Nancy’s career path is one of many roads travelled to hundreds of First Nation communities; into remote parts of every province and territory and twice to the United Nations.
She’s been a Communications advisor with Canada’s Truth & Reconciliation Commission; Assembly of First Nations National Chief and the Residential Schools apology; Parliamentary Press Secretary to a federal Indigenous Affairs Minister, as well as a seasoned news video journalist.
Being a homeowner, she shares: “you too can be mortgage free faster – with an accelerated payment plan.”
Nancy resides on the ancestral traditional, unceded, territory of the Algonquin peoples.
Shane Prevost
Vice President, Bison Modular Homes
Shane is currently Vice President of Bison Modular Homes.
He has a long history with Norway House Cree Nation. He passionately pursues answers with community leaders to help First Nations solve problems.
Shane’s past work history includes construction, and he has been able to use this experience to help several First Nations across Canada for advising, consulting, and working along with the leadership to find the best answers to building solutions for their communities.
Shane is driven to build better futures for First Nations and is determined to do his part to make it happen.
Harmony Redsky
Roots and Rights Media, Owner and Principal, Creative and member of the Wasauksing First Nation
Harmony Redsky is Anishnaabekwe/Haudenosaunee/Ukrainian from Wasauksing First Nation. Currently a DBA Candidate at the Paris School of Business, Harmony’s research is focused on sustainable management, Indigenous trade knowledge and climate change. Harmony holds a Master’s Degree in Business at Simon Fraser University with a specialization in Aboriginal leadership and governance. Harmony’s education also includes Loyalist College (Journalism) and Athabasca University (Communications). Harmony has worked as a strategist, catalyst and divergent thinker for political territorial organizations and government across Canada focusing on health, education, Indigenous rights, Traditional Knowledge, and governance. Harmony has experience leading health governance, negotiation, systems and policy development for Indigenous nations utilizing decolonial approaches and Indigenous ways of knowing. Voted as one of Canada’s most influential women in Chatelaine Magazine, Harmony founded SPIRIT Magazine, Roots & Rights Music compilations, Sweetgrass Film Festival, and the Bodewadminkwek Arts & Craft Collective. Harmony hosted the SUN TV/APTN show When the Music Speaks and has reported, directed, and produced for television, film, radio, and web platforms.
Seetta Roccola
Interlake Reserves Tribal Council and Director, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Seetta is a member of the Pinaymootang First Nation; Treaty 2 Territory in Manitoba. She has a Business Administration Diploma from Red River Community College and has been involved in various aspects of First Nation housing for over 30 years.
Seetta’s housing journey began at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in 1987. During her 10 years at CMHC, she worked in the delivery and administration of Non-Profit Housing specializing in Urban Native and On-Reserve Housing Programs. While there, she took several courses to increase her knowledge in the housing industry including all the course requirements for the Certified Property Management (C.P.M.) program.
After leaving CMHC to pursue other options Seetta accepted the position as Housing Advisor for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
In 1998 a position became available in the housing department of Interlake Reserves Tribal Council which Seetta saw as an opportunity to provide services to her home and neighboring communities. She has been there ever since. During this 20 plus year period, Seetta worked for the Tribal Council as a NISI Inspector, prepared housing proposals for CMHC and ISC, assisted in policy development and training and many other areas of housing and capital for the member communities. She has also served as the Manitoba Representative for the First Nations National Building Official’s Association since almost the beginning of this organization. During this time, Seetta worked as an independent housing advisor for other First Nations and also spent two and a half years juggling her own job and the Housing Manager position at the Fisher River Cree Nation.
Currently, Seetta is the Technical Services Manager at IRTC and works with programs such as Housing, Climate Change, Emergency Management and others.
Diane Saramaga
Specialist – Client Solutions, Indigenous and Northern Housing Solutions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Diane has been with the Indigenous and Northern Housing Solution’s team since September 2018. Diane primarily supports First Nations and Indigenous Non-Profits in Manitoba, on behalf of CMHC, to work together to achieve housing goals.
Blake Scott
Senior Environmental Public Health Officer, Environmental Public Health Services, Manitoba Region, Indigenous Services Canada
Blake is a certified Public Health Inspector who has worked in the Public Health & Environmental Public Health profession for over 33 years. During his career he worked as a Public Health Inspector/ Environmental Public Health Officer for the City of Winnipeg Health Department, The Province of Manitoba Health Protection Unit and currently with the First Nation Inuit Health Branch – Environmental Public Health Services unit in the Manitoba region.
Blake spent most of years of service as a field/community Public Health Inspector/ Environmental Public Health Officer where he responded to a wide range of Environmental Public Health and housing related issues. Blake has always taken up the challenge to help out community residents who have reached out for assistance on public health concerns. Since joining the First Nation and Inuit Branch Blake has enjoyed the opportunity to work and partner with First Nation Communities to provide an Environmental Public Health service to community members. Blake has always considered his work as a public service and a way to help other through his Environmental Public Health profession.
Travis Seymour
Acting Executive Director, First Nations Marketing Housing Fund
Travis Seymour is a Mohawk from the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne. He is a FCPA, FCGA with Certified Public Accountants of Ontario. He currently serves as the Acting Executive Director for the First Nations Market Housing Fund, which now has their head office located in Akwesasne. Since 2018, Travis has served as the Director of Finance and Administration for FNMHF. Prior to working for the Fund, Travis worked for First Nations across Canada through various jobs he has held. Travis has worked for organizations such as MNP LLP, First Nations Financial Management Board, Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. Travis also holds the designations of Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager from AFOA Canada, as well as the Certified Government Audit Professional from the Institute of Internal Auditors. Travis currently lives in Akwesasne and enjoys outdoor activities such as camping and fishing.
Trevor Thomas
Vice President Business Development, Bison Modular Homes
Vice President and Chairman of the Board for Bison Modular Homes, Trevor Thomas is a proud member of Norway House Cree nation, and a family man who currently works for his First Nation.
Addressing universal truths, and challenges faced by Indigenous peoples, Trevor believes that communication amongst each other is key to real change.
Born in 1980 and raised in a small town where his parents still reside, Trevor moved to Winnipeg to figure it out like many young people before him. His sight was set on a career where he could make an impact. This led him to a mentor, and that’s where things started to change.
Through his mentor, Trevor met a woman with her sights on Assembly of First Nation (AFN) regional Chief for Manitoba. Trevor was a cornerstone in her successful campaign and stayed on as her Executive assistant. Within this period of time, Trevor learned that his Great Aunty Gene Folster was one of the first women Chiefs and this had a profound effect on him. To this day, Trevor feels that the path that he travels with Norway House Cree Nation is for a profound reason, larger than himself.
Christine Toulouse
Education Program Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Pam Warkentin
Executive Director, Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists
A founding member of CARST and a C-NRPP certified measurement professional, Pam Warkentin is the Executive Director of both CARST and C-NRPP, and Project Manager of the Take Action on Radon (TAOR) Program. Pam works closely with the CARST Board of Directors, the C-NRPP Policy Advisory Board, and all CARST committees. She also coordinates with Health Canada and radon stakeholders across the country.
Chief Evan Yassie
Sayisi Dene First Nation
Chief Evan Yassie is the current Chief of the Sayisi Dene First Nation at Tadoule Lake, MB. He is an ambitious community advocate providing opportunities for youth and being a role model has always been important for Chief Yassie.
In 2013, Evan began working with the University of Manitoba as a Research Associate and cultural liaison for a housing and health study. He has made presentations about research projects at the University of Manitoba and at a national conference in Ottawa hosted by the Canadian Institutes of Heath Research.
Chief Yassis was a Trustee for the Sayisi Dene First Nation Relocation Trust Foundation before being elected Chief where he worked along side consultants and other Trustee’s making critical decisions about the future of the community.