Chiefs of Ontario
Creating a Healthy & Loving Society
for our Children Forum
This website will be updated regularly. Please check back frequently for updates.
This event has ended.
The Chiefs of Ontario hosted the Creating a Healthy & Loving Society for our Children Forum on May 19 & 20, 2021!
This 2-day virtual forum was an opportunity to discuss Bill C-92 (An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Children, Youth, and Families) Implementation in Ontario and Traditional Indigenous Law and Teachings about Child Welfare.
Presentations: Please see below for presentations from the Creating a Healthy & Loving Society for our Children Forum
Important notice: Please continue to check back regularly as this site will be updated with important documentation leading up to the forum.
Day 1 - Presentations
Ontario’s Mandate through the Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy and Child Welfare Redesign
By: David Remington, Michelle Braakman, Ian Langlois
Youth Perspective & Youth Toolkit - Bill C-92
By: Winter Lipscombe & Kayla Morrison, Grand Council Treaty #3
Day 2 - Presentations
Liability Considerations for First Nations Governments Relating to Child and Family Services Laws
By: Hnatiw & Matas
Funding - Transition to FN Jursidction - Indigenous Services Canada
By: Catherine Lappe and Catherine Thai
Transforming First Nations Child & Family Wellbeing - Ontario Special Study, Final Report Overview
By: INDsight Consulting
Creating a Healthy & Loving Society for our Children Forum: Speakers Biographies
Cindy Blackstock, PhD
A member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Cindy is honoured to serve as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work.
David Remington
David Remington joined the Ontario Public Service in 2007, working with both the former Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) and former Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) as a Program Supervisor, Community Program Manager, and Director of East Region.
Catherine Thai
Catherine Thai joined Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) in 2017, and is currently the Director of Child and Family Services Reform and Transformation for Ontario Region.
Catherine Lappe
Catherine Lappe is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Child and Family Services Reform, Indigenous Services Canada, since April 2021.
Sarah Clarke
Sarah Clarke was called to the bar in 2009 and commenced her practice in commercial litigation at a multinational Bay Street firm.
Michelle Braakman
Michelle Braakman is the Director of the Child Well-Being Branch in the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Bob Goulais
Bob Goulais, an Anishinaabe from Nipissing First Nation, is a well-known speaker, traditional teacher, facilitator and Master of Ceremonies, providing cultural context, history and traditional knowledge to diverse audiences across Canada.
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald of Taykwa Tagamou Nation is a calm, respectful and heart-centred leader, who has over 25 years of experience in First Nations politics.
Victor Linklater
Victor Linklater is currently the Deputy Chief of Taykwa Tagamou Nation, formerly New Post First Nation [2017 with a 4-year term].
Kayla Viau
Kayla Viau is a Cree family law lawyer and family mediator in training raised in her community of Taykwa Tagamou Nation.
Raina Wanakamik
Raina Wanakamik is a grade 10 student. She is from the Whitesand First Nation. Raina is inspired by artists and paintings. She is proud of living this far when she couldn't have.
Judith Rae
Judith Rae is a Partner at OKT LLP. In addition to being a lawyer, Judith also has a Masters in Social Work. Her focus areas include governance and child & family services, among others.2
Alex Kitakijick
Alex Kitakijick is a 16-year-old who is currently in foster care. Her birthplace is a small town called Whitesand, a place she notes she has never visited. Her favourite accomplishment was when she was able to come out of a hard spot she was in for years. She is inspired by art, the stores one tells, dancing and the vibrations of the ground.
Kiaunna Lesage
Kiaunna Lesage is a 22-year-old Chinese Indigenous advocate who grew up in the foster care system.
Jama Maxie
Jama Maxie is a member of White Bear First Nations. He is of dual heritage- Indigenous and Afro Black Canadian. Jama was a former Extended Society Care youth with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto since the age of 12.
Dr. Helaina Gaspard
Dr. Helaina Gaspard is a researcher, advisor, teacher, and convener. Her work focuses on the state institutions that incentivize and govern the behaviour of actors, influencing the performance of organizations and public policy outcomes.
Ian Langlois
Ian Langlois is the Manager of the Indigenous Systems and Negotiations Unit in the Child Well-Being Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Winter Dawn Lipscombe
Winter Dawn Lipscombe is a member of Wauzhusk Onigum Nation in Treaty #3 territory. Winter Dawn serves as Grand Council Treaty #3’s representative to the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council (OFNYPC) and is the Ontario Female Alternate to the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council (AFNNYC).
Stan Cloud
Stan Cloud is from Kettle & Stony Point First Nation in Southwestern Ontario located on the shore of Lake Huron.
Gillian Hnatiw
Gillian Hnatiw is the founder and principal of Gillian Hnatiw & Co., a boutique feminist litigation firm in Toronto.
Sara Mainville
Sara Mainville has been called to the Ontario bar since 2005. Sara has a Management degree (Lethbridge) and a LL.B. (Queen’s).
Sinéad Dearman
Sinéad Dearman is an associate at OKT. Her focus is on promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous children, youth, and families.
Bobby Narcisse
Bobby Narcisse is from the Aroland First Nation. He has been involved in Social and Community Development for the past 20 years.
Adrienne Peltier
Adrienne is an Anishinaabe Kwe from Wiikwemikoong Unceded Territory. She is a part of the Rain Dance Lodge and considers them her family. Proud Grandmother of 5 grandchildren.
Support Contact Information
All inquiries and support requests can be emailed to meetingsupport@coo.org
Contact information for Chiefs of Ontario Directors can be found here: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/directors