William Diabo
Board President
Magnetawan First Nation
old. He returned to Magnetawan in 1990, and has since been working for the people.
William brings a wealth of experience in health, governance, community, politics, information
technology management, police services, child and family services, and more.
William holds an Honours 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 and Training for seven years, and
Board Director and Finance Committee Chair for Aboriginal Police Services for eight years. Acting as Area Health Board Director for four years, William stayed very active in health and governance. He was also on the Union of Ontario Indians (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 is currently on his fourth term as Chief of Magnetawan and has served as Band Councillor for
one term.
Denise Restoule
Vice President
Dokis First Nation
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 worked in Dokis as Drug and Alcohol Prevention Worker and then the CHR position. Denise 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 has served as Health Director of Dokis First Nation.
Denise 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 five 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,
Denise was appointed by the Minister of National Defence as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel (HLCoL) with the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay.
Marnie Anderson
Treasurer
Wahnapitae First Nation
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
was a daycare worker for five years. She remains a strong advocate for children and families in her community. Grace is a mother of three adult children and has six grand children and three great grandchildren. She is very much involved in their lives and is a proud Nokomis!
Dale Copegog
Board Member
Wasauksing First Nation
Wawasquene n’dizhn’kaz, Migizi dodem, Wasauksing donjaba.
Dale has worked in the social field for many years at Wasauksing Administration office, focusing on the areas of Ontario Works, child welfare, youth services, restorative justice and
community wellness programming.
Dale has been a contributing member on many 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
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 spent five years as President of the Parry
Sound Friendship Centre Board, which she was involved with as a Board Member for 20 years.
She currently serves as Councillor in her 19th year of service, and was Chief of Shawanaga First
Nation for two years. 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 with community and family.