Leadership

Shirley is the President of the Board and was appointed by the community of Long Lake 58 First Nation and is in her third year on the Board. She is currently employed as a Metis Family Wellbeing Coordinator. Shirley’s educational background is in teaching. She has 35 years’ experience in Social Services and 20 years’ experience in Child Care and Education. Shirley is an experienced facilitator in Traditional teachings and traditional parenting. She has been trained in many areas: ASIST, Safe Talk, First Aid Mental Health, First Aid/CPR, B Safer.

Michelle Ward is the Vice President of the Board and a member of Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg where she resides with her husband John, son Ryder and their beloved dachshund, Queenie.

Michelle acquired her college diploma from Confederation College in 2015 in Native Child and Family Services and continued her post-secondary education at Lakehead University where she completed her Honors Bachelor of Social Work in 2018. Michelle has been in social and community service work for over 15 years and was recently elected as a member of leadership for her community in November of 2021. Michelle was provided the honour to sit on the Board of Directors as requested from Chief Kwissiwa and accepted the opportunity to extend her knowledge, experience, and education to assist in the guidance and direction of the agency and the communities it serves.

At the community level Michelle has engaged in numerous roles in the community wellness field and her current position in the organization is as Mental Health Program Coordinator in the health department for Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg. Michelle is passionate about providing equal opportunity to her membership and strength-based approaches to services for her community both on and off reserve. Michelle works diligently to secure adequate mental health and addiction support services for her community along with opportunities for holistic engagement that would lead to positive long-term changes at the grassroots level.

TBA – Vacant

Chief Michele Solomon is a representative of Fort William First Nation. She has served on the Board for four years. She is currently employed as a Community Development Manager by the Ontario Native Women’s Association. She has five years of management experience, and twelve years of experience working in Mental Health and Addictions. Michele possesses a Social Service Worker Diploma and a Bachelor Arts Indigenous Learning. She has a certificate in Management Training from Schulich and has been on Council for Fort William First Nation for six years.

Chief Wilfred King has been on the Board of Directors for eight years and has served two terms as the Vice-President of the Board. He represents his community of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek.

Tracy was appointed to the Board of Dilico to represent Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek.  This is Tracy’s first term on the Council of BNA and her first year on the Board of Dilico. Previously to her being elected to Council, Tracy worked in the Governance Coordinator role for her First Nation for 5 years. Her previous work experience included 10 years in banking and 17 years as an Accounts Payable Clerk for a privately owned company. Tracy was born and raised in Thunder Bay, due to the displacement of Sand Point Members by the government back in the 50’s.  Tracy is passionate about her First Nation and is thrilled to be a part of the redevelopment of Sand Point First Nation, the land that her father once called home.  

Raymond was appointed by Chief and Council of Pays Plat First Nation to sit on the Dilico Board of Directors. He has served 12 terms as a Board of Director. Raymond has worked for his community for many years. He has served his membership as a Chief for 2 years and a Councillor for 14 years. Raymond has a lot of Board experience, also serving on the boards for: Marjorie Crisis Home Marathon, McCausland Hospital Terrace Bay, Schreiber Food Bank, North of Superior Counselling Program and Wequedong Lodge. Raymond is a graduate of the Social Service Worker Program from Confederation College and has 34 years’ work experience in the social service field.

Bio coming soon

TBA – Vacant