Maurice Switzer – President
Aanii/Boozhoo Niijii.
Bnesi ndizhnikaaz. Wazhashk ndoodem Anishinaabek, Okwaho Haudenosaunee..Alderville ndoonjbaa, North Bay endayaan. Greetings friends!
My priorities as a member of your board of directors are informed by what I have learned as a member of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, director of communications for the Assembly of First Nations and Union of Ontario Indians, and as a journalist for many years in the daily newspaper industry and writing for First Nations publications.
As a board member, I try to increase community awareness about Indigenous peoples, in general, and, in particular, about the excellent contributions being made by Friendship Centre staff that help make North Bay a better place for everyone who lives here.
Across Canada, some 80 percent of Indigenous people live in urban centres. Of 70,000 people living in the North Bay area, some 9,000 are Indigenous.
This population growth means services provided by Friendship Centres are becoming increasingly important, and we want to continue to provide programs that grow our membership and benefit more participants of all ages.
It has been my privilege to help establish Reconciliation North Bay, a process that is bringing together people from all walks of life in North Bay to learn more about Indigenous peoples and issues, and that had its origins as a committee of the centre’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
Our board always welcomes your ideas about how to improve our programs and services, and we thank you for your support.
Joyce Shortt-Lavigne – Secretary
Joyce Shortt-Lavigne, a member of Nipissing First Nation, has been a long time supporter of the urban Indigenous population of North Bay. A mother, and grandmother, Joyce has been a presence here at the NBIFC for many years, bringing her work experience as a Social Worker, as well as her past experiences at other organizations as a board member to support the financial department as best she can. Her dedication and love of volunteerism are very much appreciated, and we are so happy to have Joyce on the BoD once again.
Ken Brown
I have been an NBIFC member since 2016 and have been happy to be on the Board of Directors for the past four years. It means a lot to me to be part of the Centre, as there is always a lot going on to help Indigenous people within our community and are a contributor to our local economy. The NBIFC was there to help us with our Granddaughter years ago, and for that reason, I’m only too happy to give back and serve on the Board.
The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre isn’t just a building, it is a community and a family.
Amanda Mathias-Mizzi –
Amanda Mathias is excited to join the NBIFC Board of Directors. She is a proud Anishinaabe Kwe, member of Temagami First Nation and a lifelong resident of North Bay. She and her two children value the Friendship Centre events and activities. Amanda and her family spend most of their free time on Lake Temagami or in the Arts & Culture scene. Music festivals, powwows, art shows and time in nature are favourites.
As an Educator (OCT), Amanda works to support Indigenous Education and Equity Initiatives. Her priority is in working toward more equitable outcomes for Children & Youth. This also includes supporting school communities to enhance their knowledge, understanding and awareness of Indigenous culture, worldview, historical truths & contemporary issues. She has been working as a Lead Educator & Program Coordinator with the Near North District School Board for well over a decade. Within this time, she also worked with the Ministry of Education, Indigenous Education & Wellbeing Division. She works directly with First Nation communities, local partners, and with school communities supporting shared priorities and visions. Amanda is greatly involved, both professionally & personally, in local Equity and Social Justice Circles as a volunteer or working group member.
Amanda is thankful for the opportunity to learn alongside the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre Team as a member of the Board. Miigwech!
Aaron St.Pierre
Biography Coming Soon!
Vanessa Brosseau
Vanessa has made it her mission to create awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S) through art and voice. Vanessa is also an ethical artist and is passionate about sharing her work through her business Resilient Inuk Creations.
Vanessa is registered as a proud Inuk with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI). Her maternal family is from Sanikiluaq, Nunavut which is named after her great-great grandfather. Vanessa has experienced gender-based violence since the young age of 2 months old. She has attend intense therapy to be able to fight back against her perpetrators and seek justice and change.
Vanessa share’s her story as well as her sister Pamela’s story on her verified Tik Tok account “Resilient Inuk” where she has over 152,000 followers and on Instagram where she has over 98,000 followers. Vanessa is currently working on writing her first book “Becoming Resilient Inuk” and in the planning stages of a documentary.
Vanessa has had many speaking opportunities such as with the Governor General, Her Excellency Mary Simon, Senate for Bill C-11, Buffer Festival, schools, hospitals and many First Nation communities. You can also find Vanessa on the Pow Wow trail as a craft vendor every summer. Vanessa loves to give back to her community and has been recently recruited as a board member with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.