Board of Directors
William Diabo
Board President
Board Member, Magnetawan First
William grew up in in Toronto, Kahnawake and Dunkirk, New York, until he was 18 years old. He returned to Magnetawan in 1990, and has since been working for the people. William brings a wealth of experience in Health, Police, Governance, Community, Political, I.T. Management, and Child and Family Services, and more.
William holds an Honors Management Certificate. For almost 20 years he served as Volunteer Board Member and Working Group Representative for Magnetawan First Nation. He has served as Board Director, Secretary, and for the past 11 years, and President of the Board of Shkagamik:Kwe Health Centre. William served as President of the Board of Gezhtoojig Employment & Training for 7 years, and Board Director and Finance Committee Chair for Aboriginal Police Services for 8 years. Acting as Area Health Board Director for 4 years, William stayed very active in Health and governance. He was also on the UOI Child Well Being Law Working Group from 2016-2018. William is still committed to the UOI Governance Working Group which he joined in 2016, and has also been Board Director and President on the Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services since then.
William served as Chief for 3 terms, and is current member of Council of Magnetawan First Nation.
Denise Restoule
Vice President
Board Member – Dokis First Nation
Denise has an extensive 30-year career in community health. She pioneered the Health Services for Dokis First Nation as a “Family Health Aide” which evolved into the “Community Health Representative” (CHR) Program. She was the Acting Interim CHR Co-Ordinator position for Ontario Region, spokesperson and a Keynote Speaker at the first National CHR Conference. She has also worked in Dokis as Drug & Alcohol Prevention Worker and then the CHR position. Denis coordinated, developed and negotiated for Dokis, Nipissing and Bear Island (Temagami FN) for the Transfer of Health Services from Canada, for the First Nations to assume administrative responsibility of their health services. She also was the Health Director of Dokis First Nation.
Denise also has an extensive political career, serving as Councillor over many terms, and in 2006 was the first female to be elected as Chief of Dokis and was re-elected for 5 consecutive terms until retirement in 2016, and later as Deputy Chief. As Dokis Chief, she oversaw development the Okikendawt Hydro Project, helped Dokis achieve the “Pollution Probe Award”, presented by the Premier of Ontario. In May 2018, Denis was appointed by the Minister of National Defense as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel (HLCOL) with the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay.
Marnie Anderson
Treasurer
Board Director – Wahnapitae
Marnie currently works at Laurentian University for the Aboriginal Children’s Health and Wellbeing Measure (ACHWM) where she shares it with communities across Ontario and Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education at Laurentian University, specializing in Health Promotion and Indigenous Studies, and achieved an advanced diploma in Physical Fitness and Leisure Management at Cambrian College. With several years of experience in planning, conducting, evaluating and implementing programs for First Nations in several different areas both on and off reserve, she is eager to participate and assist Wahnapitae with her knowledge, as it builds on her personal interest in Indigenous children’s health.
Grace Contin
Secretary
Henvey Inlet First Nation
Grace was a board member for the previous pre-designation agency Gzaa Gaah Naa Nig Child and Family Services for the entirety of their existence. In her home community of Henvey Inlet First Nation, she was the Child Welfare Prevention worker for 8 years and was a daycare worker for 5 years. She remains a strong advocate for children and families in her community. Grace is a mother of three adult children and has 6 grand children and 3 great grandchildren. She is very much involved in their lives and is a proud Nokomis!
Dale Copegog
Board Member
Wasauksing First Nation
Dale has worked in the social field for many years at Wasauksing Administration office, focusing in the areas of Ontario Works, child welfare, youth services, restorative justice and community wellness programming.
Dale has been a contributing member on a few committees/boards such as: Board of Manotsaywin Nanotoojig; a member on the Advisory Committee for B’sanibamaadsiwin Native Mental Health; a member of the Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association and, most recently, was involved with Waabnoong Bemjiwong’s development of a Child Well-Being Agency. Dale is looking forward to contributing as a board member during an exciting time for our nations as we work towards operating our own unique agency that meets the needs of our children and their families.
Patricia Pawis
Board Member
Shawanaga First Nation
Patricia grew up in Shawanaga First Nation. She holds a Social Work diploma from Confederation College in Thunder Bay, ON. Patricia contributed to the Parry Sound Friendship Centre Board for 20 years, and served 16 years in the capacity as a political leader in Shawanaga First Nation. She stays active and involved with many community committees and different boards. Patricia has been employed as Service Administrator at the Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre, and was involved with Gzaa Gaah Naa Nig Child & Family Services. Patricia takes great pride and fulfillment by being involved in my Community and with Family.