Aimee Bailey

Aimee is a Pikwakanagan citizen who has studied, experienced, and worked to reclaim her Algonquin Traditional Culture for most of her life. She holds an Honours Degree in the Humanities from York University and a Traditional Practitioner Post Graduate Certificate from First Nations Technical Institute. She was the first Executive Director of Omamiwinini Pimadjwowin, Pilwakanagan’s Cultural Centre, continues to be Spokesperson for The Circle of Turtle Lodge, an urban Indigenous Cultural group, is Elder-in- Residence at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, sits on the Board of Nigig Nibi Kiwin Gamig Pikwakanagan’s new Child Welfare Agency, and has been acknowledged as an Elder by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.

Patrick Aird

Pat is a citizen of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. He grew up living in Algonquin Park hunting and trapping with his grandfather until he was 18. During this time, they traveled from Blackfoot to Mi’kmaq to Cheyenne Territory, receiving knowledge teachings from Elders. After this he travelled the world with a career in mining. In 2001 Pat got his Diploma in Social Work through Loyalist College and worked at an alcohol and drug rehab program in Kirkland Lake before eventually settling in Petawawa. Pat is an Elder for Wakehi Lodge and enjoys working with young people and sharing his knowledge through Cultural Teachings.

Kerry Fortin

Kerry, of Oji-Cree heritage grew up not knowing much about his background until starting to follow the path in his early thirties, learning drumming and medicines, eventually becoming the lead on a Grandfather Drum. Kerry worked as an art teacher in Western Quebec at a small school for over a decade before moving into work with “special needs” students. In 2023 he began working as Family and Community Engagement Worker for Family and Children Services in the Ottawa Valley and also as facilitator of Waka-ehi Lodge, where he helps to guide traditional teachings to youth and families, bringing in Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The Lodge also provides assistance with food, a place to shower and various necessities for Indigenous people in need in our community. He feels fortunate to have worked with, and learned, from Elders, Medicine People and Knowledge Keepers and believes that learning is a lifelong endeavor . Kerry is a proud father of two grown men and a professional artist who has worked in multimedia including steel, bone and wood sculpture and painting.

Norma Bailey

Norma is a citizen of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and is also the head of the family whose son is currently the Chief of the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation. As a single mother of two children, Norma’s background was working in medical technology for 30 years, mainly at Pembroke Hospital. Norma was a founding director of The Circle of Turtle Lodge and as such, actively sought teaching from Elders in order to share them with the local community and then brought Elders back to visit with the community. As a lifelong talented singer, Norma has researched and created a songbook of traditional Anishinaabe songs and music that included English translations of clan songs. Since retiring, she has volunteered with youth and has worked with the elderly at Pikwakanagan and she currently enjoys singing at cultural events.

Steve Fortin

Steve, of Oji-Cree heritage, started his teachings in his late thirties with an Ojibwe elder. During this time, he was invited to be a drummer on a ceremonial drum and had the privilege to travel and learn up North as well as in Renfrew County. Since 1998 Steve has been a nurse in every setting of health care, eventually going into teaching and management. In 2022, Steve started working at Family and Children’s Services in Renfrew County where he supervises the Indigenous Restorative Practices Team. Steve considers himself to be a lifelong learner. He enjoys drumming and attending cultural activities with his son.

Sherry Dion

Sherry is a citizen of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, and a great granddaughter of Chief Matthew Bernard and Christianne Aird Partridge. Sherry is an artist, craftswoman, and activist who was initiated into the traditional medicine wheel teachings at the age of 13. Sherry is a graduate of Algonquin College’s 3-year Business Administration Program and worked for the Federal Government during the volatile time of the Oka Crisis. In 2018 Sherry became a Personal Support Worker to care for her mother and then for members of the Pikwakanagan community. She retired to grieve the loss of her mother and to heal from intergenerational trauma as a 60s Scoop Survivor. Sherry’s political action, which includes raising cultural awareness through programming and education for both Indigenous people and settlers, continues to this day. Sherry is currently the Kampus Kokum at the Pembroke Algonquin College.

Lisa Coutu

Lisa is descended from European Immigrants. She is working to inhabit Jody Wilson-Raybould’s call to act as an “inbetweener” by seeking to understand and then taking action that supports justice and healing under Indigenous leadership. She holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Guelph and a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa. She is a practicing lawyer and serves as a Councillor in the Town of Petawawa and Treasurer for the Town of Petawawa Public Library.

Finley Clare

Finley is a settler of Irish heritage who is committed to serving as an ally for Indigenous issues. Finley worked as the sole teacher in the alternative high school in Barry’s Bay for 13 years, and then at the local high school, during which time she began unpacking her own educational experiences and then started embedding First Nation, Metis and Indigenous content across the curriculum. Prior to that she worked in community services and development both in Ontario and in Australia.

Blair Voyvodic MD

Blair retired after 40 years of medical service and trauma healing in rural communities. He was the staff physician at Mino Pimadiz-i Gamik Health Centre on the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation for seven years and served the region of western Renfrew County and Nipissing from 1991 to 2020. Learning first-hand the traumatic histories of residential school survivors motivated him to decolonize his own understanding and practice, becoming an ally for Indigenous community building. He has invented and brought to market a posture support tool, Body Braid, that is transforming the lives of people with debilitating hypermobility.

Wendy Jocko

As the former Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Wendy has worn many hats, from helmet to hard hat to headdress. Wendy’s experience managing important portfolios in Housing, Health, Child Welfare and General Administration informs her personal mission to create new relationships with organizations and institutions and develop partnerships which would help the Algonquin Nation. Wendy joined the military in 1979 and served for over two decades. Afterwards, Wendy relocated to Scotland, working as a funeral director and embalmer, rising to the level of regional director of the British Institute of Funeral Directors. After returning to Pikwakanagan in 2015 she continued to build relationships between the Armed Forces and the First Nation. She inaugurated the Remembrance Day parade and feast, which has been held since 1999. Wendy is a member of the Assembly of First Nations Veterans Committee and Veterans Ombud Advisory Council. Wendy currently works for Innovation 7 (I7) an Indigenous Engagement Firm located in Pikwakanagan First Nation.

Rickey Chester

Rickey is a founding member of Nenaawateg Inc.  His Algonquin ancestry goes back to Eteniene Pigarouichie and includes Mi’kmaq heritage. Rickey has a Forestry Technician Diploma from Algonquin College and retired after 35 years of working for the Department of National Defense as Fire Officer, eight of these years spent focusing on Health and Safety as an Investigator and Trainer. In addition, he also ran the forestry fire-fighting crews at Base Petawawa throughout his career. He enjoys harvesting birch bark for the production of headdresses, containers and baskets; working on canoes; being on the land and in the water. In 2023 Rickey volunteered with the OPP to provide Indigenous youth with a summer camp experience. Rickey is a drummer and singer who holds Elders and Knowledge Keepers close to his heart and is an ongoing volunteer at the local food bank.

Charlene Francoeur Chester

Charlene is a founding member of Nenaawateg Inc.  Her Algonquin ancestry goes back to Eteniene Pigarouichie and includes Mi’kmaq heritage. Charlene, raised as a military brat, is a retired chef who worked for 27 years for the Department of National Defense. She now spends her time beading, crafting, making ribbon skirts, drums and drumming. Charlene also enjoys volunteering and participating in any and all cultural events throughout Algonquin Territory and the Ottawa Valley, and very much values receiving teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Lynn Nagora

Lynn’s heritage includes Blackfoot ancestry; however, documentation available traces back only to Ojibwe and Algonquin. During a period of uncertainty, traditional teachings were scarcely discussed, particularly with children separated from their grandparents. Nonetheless, Lynn’s Indigenous identity remained strong, exemplified by her early creation of Regalia, a testament to her pride in her heritage, which she continues to uphold.

Lynn holds a background in Executive Office Administration and previously taught at Algonquin College. Driven by the entrepreneurial spirit, she transitioned into self-employment, delivering computer and office training to executives and staff across various business sites throughout Renfrew County and Ottawa. As a Certified Virtual Assistant, Lynn collaborated with clients in North America and France, aiding them in achieving their business objectives and providing essential support.

Currently, Lynn’s creative interests are centered around nature and wellness, dedicating time to outdoor activities and mindfulness. Her innate curiosity fuels her passion for research and learning. Encouraged to study Reiki, Lynn now practices as a Holy Fire® III Reiki Master. Embracing her Indigenous roots further enriches her journey. She is honoured to be a member of Nenaawateg Inc, in addition to contributing to their website management.

Chelsea Duncan

Chelsea, an ally of European ancestry, is currently studying to become a Forestry Technician. She is driven by a passion for ecological land stewardship and strengthening Indigenous relations. With deep respect for Indigenous traditional knowledge, she seeks to bridge the gap between Western forestry methods and Indigenous land stewardship. She is guided by a commitment to environmental responsibility, community engagement, and meaningful reconciliation. Chelsea is also providing administrative support to the Board.