Indigenous Strategy
We are committed to being more visible and intentional in our work with Indigenous communities and in our efforts to support action on the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the core of this Indigenous Strategy, the Foundation’s efforts will:
• Invest in young people and youth-driven groups within an intergenerational framework
• Support cross-cultural learning and understanding of how racism and colonization continues to shape
Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships
• Commit long-term by carrying the strategy into our next strategic plan
• Be guided by Indigenous priorities and informed by Indigenous communities
Funding Approach: Embedded and Intentional
We invest in Indigenous youth-led groups to take action on issues they are passionate about and will continue to take an embedded approach to funding by ensuring that across our funding streams, Indigenous youth-led groups are represented.
In addition, we are launching an intentional, dedicated funding stream focused on supporting Indigenous youth with land, language, and culture, and to support the transmission of cultural practices to future generations in order to promote nation building, decolonization, and reconciliation.
Guiding Us
To ground and guide this work, we are so fortunate to be working with an Indigenous Advisory Committee to inform our operations, knowledge building and funding strategies.
Meet our Advisors:
Carissa Coe
Carissa is an urban Inuk, born and raised in Ottawa. Her family originates from Nain, Nunatsiavut and she has been a part of the Ottawa Inuit community her whole life. As a child, Carissa attended Inuuqatigiit, formerly known as the Ottawa Inuit Children Centre. As an adult, she has worked with Inuuqatigiit running cultural programs for Inuit youth living in Ottawa ages 13-25. These programs are meant to support the cultural development of Inuit youth living outside of Inuit Nunangat. They include working with sealskin, fox fur, beading, sewing, learning about cultural values and beliefs, connecting with Elders and knowledge keepers, Inuktitut language development, and implementing traditional Inuit knowledge any way possible in an urban setting. Currently, she is a full-time student at Carleton University and stays connected to the community whenever possible.
Chevaun Toulouse
Chevaun Toulouse is an Anishinabekwe from Sagamok Anishnawbek and a member of the Ginoozhe (pike) clan. Growing up in Sagamok gave her an interest in and respect for the environment, as much of her youth was spent trying to catch turtles and snakes in the swamp.
Whether snatching snakes or catching turtles, it was on the land interacting with reptiles and amphibians that she found her passion.
Her environmental education began at Sault College in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Technician Diploma program. She completed the Indigenous Environmental Leadership Pathways Certificate from Royal Roads University, Ontario Master Naturalist program with
Ontario Nature and Lakehead University, as well as the Indigenous Undergraduate Summer Research Scholars Program with McMaster University. She recently graduated from Trent University, Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences with a joint major in Biology Honors BSc program.
Over her career Chevaun has worked in many capacities pertaining to environmental conservation and education. She has worked in various technician positions with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Turtle Island Conservation at Toronto Zoo, and Magnetewan First Nation Lands, Resources and Environment Department. Currently, Chevaun is the Environment & Climate Change Coordinator for the Sagamok Anishnawbek Lands, Resources & Environment
department.
Additionally, as a proud member of Sagamok Anishnawbek, Chevaun has worked over the years to bring resources to her community for the purpose of research and education. She has successfully secured funding from various grants to fund environmental research and food sovereignty and security initiatives for her community. In addition to sourcing resources for community initiatives, Chevaun has worked hard to prioritize and integrate Anishinaabemowin language education and preservation into her work. She has researched and created lists of Anishinaabemowin words for many different species of flora and fauna and shared them with schools, environmental organizations, and language groups. Chevaun partnered with Saugeen Conservation to create an Anishinaabemowin bird series that featured bird graphics with their Anishinaabemowin names and meanings. This bird series was shared by Cornell Lab of Ornithology K12, Earth Rangers, and many more
environmental organizations.
To compliment her research, over the course of her career, Chevaun has been documenting species through photography which has been featured in the book Wildlife on Roads: A Handbook by Gunson, Kari E.; Schueler, Frederick W. Wildlife on Roads. Her work was also
included in an Anishinaabemowin/English bilingual colouring book developed and produced by the Magnetewan First Nation Lands, Resources and Environment department. Chevaun is a well-known Indigenous environmentalist, securing a position as research advisor
for a TV series called Great Lakes Untamed. Great Lakes Untamed is the first definitive natural history TV series illustrating this vast watershed’s incredible wildlife, landscapes, and human
importance. Bringing an Indigenous scientific perspective to this project was important to her while also highlighting the current environmental struggles the Great Lakes face.
In addition to her experience discussed above, Chevaun is well practiced in preparing and delivering educational presentations, delivering keynote presentations for many events and at many institutions.
Over the course of her career, Chevaun has been nominated for and earned many awards and certificates that display her commitment and passion to environmental conservation and
education. Most recently, she has been awarded the Clean North Citizen Award 2024, and was a National First Nations Water Leadership Award Nominee in 2023. She has also acquired the
OAS Indigenous Archaeological Monitor Training Program Certificate 2023, Canada Service Corps Certificate of Recognition 2022, and the Ocean Wise Direct Action Ambassador certificate 2022.
Additionally, while balancing her many duties in her community and as a mother, Chevaun dedicates her spare time to serve as an Indigenous Environmental Advisor for various committees including the Canadian Herpetological Society, Ocean Bridge Advisory Committee, Society for Ecological Restoration, The Anishinabek Nation Spirit of the Land Advisory Committee, and the Laidlaw Foundation Indigenous Advisory Committee among others.
Chevaun is a well-rounded environmental professional, with ample experience in Western science initiatives and institutions while also being grounded in her Indigenous culture and lived experiences.
Eternity Sutherland
Eternity Neekan is a 20-year-old youth advocate based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is deeply passionate about youth empowerment, cultural revitalization, and using recreational activities to support mental health. Eternity actively serves on multiple youth councils, striving to create a brighter future for young people in her community. Through program development and volunteer work, she is dedicated to fostering meaningful opportunities and positive change.
JOEL JOCKO
Joel Jocko is a member of the Akwesasne Mohawk First Nation and currently resides in the greater capital area of Ottawa. At 27 years old, Joel holds an Honors Bachelor of Health Science Degree from the University of Ottawa.
Joel boasts over two years of experience as an Indigenous Research and Survey Analyst at the First Nation Information Governance Centre (FNIGC). His expertise extends to governance, health, and language conferences, where he has actively participated. Joel has also demonstrated his skills in overseeing project development, particularly in the areas of workshops, grant writing, and other support initiatives for the Indigenous-owned organization known as Small Feather Empire.
Joel is deeply passionate about promoting reconciliation and is dedicated to contributing valuable knowledge to the youth sector.
Tamara Takpannie
Tamara Sarah Tikisa Takpannie is an Inuk artist and advocate originally from Iqaluit, NU, who specializes in beadwork, textiles and kattajaq (throat singing). An urban Inuk based in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, Takpannie’s bold and feminine artwork reflects her desire to represent the strength and resilience of Inuit women and uphold cultural traditions.
As an Inuk throat singer, Tamara has travelled the world to share kattajaq with other cultures. She has worked in the federal government for the past decade, advancing Inuit policies Inuit Nunangat-wide in education, economic development, and most recently relating to the Nunavut Agreement. Previously the President for Inuuqatigiit, Tamara now sits as President for Tungasuvvingat Inuit where she continues to support the urban Inuit community. Her knowledge and expertise ensures that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit are at the forefront of decisions that affect Inuit communities.
carole monture
Carole Monture is Kanien’kehá ka (Mohawk) Wolf clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory where she lives with her family. Carole is the Climate Leadership Lead at Indigenous Climate Action. She is part of the Education & Training Team where she facilitates a community education by and for Indigenous Peoples which positions Indigenous Rights as a primary solution to the climate crisis. She is also a volunteer with Protect the Tract - a Haudenosaunee led project dedicated to exercising Indigenous sovereignty through the promotion of land stewardship over the Haldimand Tract.
