The Heart & Stroke Council on Health Reconciliation

Born and raised in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Jody is Anishinaabe kwe from Treaty 3 and a proud member of Couchiching First Nation. As the strategy & partnerships advisor, Jody is responsible for the design and development of strategic initiatives and building and advancing relationships with Nations who are pursuing development and prosperity for their communities as well as organizations, governments and corporations pursuing their reconciliation journey. Her role is to educate, advocate and advance partnerships for the mandate and services offered by the FNFA for First Nations clients throughout Canada.

She has attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Education program and is a Business Administration graduate (Human Resources Management) from Fleming College. She has also received her Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) designation from AFOA Canada. Jody serves as community trustee for Couchiching First Nation Legacy Trust Fund and sits on the Provincial Advisory Board for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Nadine Bernard, a Mi’kmaq entrepreneur from the We’koqma’q First Nation, is the CEO and Founder of Indigevisor Ltd. With over twenty-fi ve years of experience in Indigenous relations and economic development, Nadine drives initiatives that foster inclusivity within corporate Canada, thereby creating a more equitable society.

Nadine's dedication to mentorship and Indigenous entrepreneurship is evident through various leadership roles supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada. An active facilitator of the Kairos Blanket Exercise, Nadine's work is deeply rooted in education and advocacy.

As a proud parent and grandparent, Nadine's leadership and commitment to advancing societal progress through the empowerment of Indigenous people make her an extraordinary fi gure. Her strategic insights and professional expertise are key assets in fostering partnerships that promote inclusivity and equity.

Dr. Bernice Downey joined the Ontario Provincial Board in 2020. Dr. Downey is a woman of Ojibwe and Celtic heritage, a mother and a grandmother. She is a medical anthropologist with research interests in health, health literacy and Indigenous Traditional knowledge and health/research system reform for Indigenous populations.

Bernice is currently cross appointed to the School of Nursing and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and is the Indigenous Health Lead for the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. She holds a Heart & Stroke Foundation - Canadian Institute of Health Research - Chair in Indigenous Women’s Heart and Brain Health.

Dr.Downey is an experienced administrator, facilitator, and an organizational and systemic change agent. She is also a life - long advocate in the work towards addressing the serious health inequities among Indigenous populations in Canada.

Levasseur Puhach – Bezhik Binese Ikwe or Lone Thunderbird Woman, is a proud First Nations woman. She is a member of the Sandy Bay Anishinaabe Nation. Her mother and several other family members are Indian residential school survivors. Kimberley is passionate about Indigenous social justice efforts and is committed to making a difference. 

Kimberley is the vice president of People, Culture and Growth at The Canadian Museum for Human Rights. She is a strategic leader with expertise in human resource management, organizational development with specialization in inclusion, diversity and equity. Kimberley has worked in private, public and non-profit sectors and in a variety of industries. Most recently, she worked as associate vice president, People & Culture – West Region for Gallagher, a global insurance provider, risk management and human capital consulting firm. Prior to that, she was with the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology as the director of People Services and Indigenous Inclusion.

Kimberley serves as chair of the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle, sits on the board of directors for End Homelessness Winnipeg, co-chairs the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council and acts as a member of the United Way of Winnipeg’s Circle of Indigenous Relations. She is past chair of an Indigenous-led community organization, Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. and past chair for the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation.

Lyndon J Linklater is a traditional knowledge keeper and storyteller. He has an educational background in Indian Social Work, Indian Studies and some law.

He is a citizen of the Thunderchild Cree Nation in Treaty 6 and has roots in Couchiching First Nation (Fort Francis, Ontario) in Treaty 3.

Presently, Lyndon shares work with the Remai Modern Art Museum in Saskatoon as their Indigenous Relations Advisor providing advice to their board and staff and delivering cultural programming and has worked for the Office of the Treaty Commissioner as a Speakers’ Bureau member since he was appointed in 2000. Since that time, he has spoken to well over 75,000 people, delivering awareness and enlightenment on Treaty and First Nation worldview.

Clayton Norris, CAFM, MBA, CPA, CMA, is the vice president of MNP's Indigenous Services. He leads the team across Canada, which currently provides services in consulting, accounting and tax in over 225 Indigenous Nations. Clayton is a member of the Cold Lake First Nations.

Based in Calgary, Clayton works closely with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in an advisory capacity, assisting clients in the areas of business and strategic planning, human resource issues, corporate finance, training and economic development consulting. With his extensive experience working with Indigenous business and communities Clayton understands the unique requirements. He takes great pride in being a close professional advisor to the individuals and organizations that support development within the Aboriginal community.

Clayton played a key role in the development of MNPs EASE cloud accounting services and Aboriginal self-employment and management training programs. As a member of the AFOA Alberta board in 2005, Clayton was awarded the Deputy Minister’s Pride and Recognition award for excellence in leadership. He was a member of the 2008 Governor Generals Leadership Conference. He is a current member of the MNP board, and former treasurer of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and several First Nation economic development boards. 

Diane Roussin is a dedicated community leader and a proud member of the Skownan First Nation. Diane has worked tirelessly for over two decades, primarily in Winnipeg’s inner city, with organizations and projects that respect the ability and the right of Indigenous families, children and individuals to care for themselves and thrive. She is a strong believer that families must determine their own solutions in order to create sustainable and equitable change.

Most recently, she became the project director for The Winnipeg Boldness Project, a research and development project focusing on improving outcomes for children in the North End of Winnipeg, through social innovation and social lab processes. Diane presented at TEDx Winnipeg in June 2018 on the topic of Indigenous social innovation. In January 2018, Diane received the Governor General’s Award for Outstanding Indigenous Leadership.

Diane holds bachelor of arts and bachelor of social work degrees, and sits on a number of boards, including the Winnipeg Foundation and Winnipeg Art Gallery. She is a cherished member of a large extended family and a loving mother of two daughters whom she adores.

Kory Wilson, BSc. JD, is the executive director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships for British Columbia Institute of Technology.

She is Kwakwaka’wakw. Kory is chair of the national Indigenous education committee of Colleges and Institutions Canada and she has over 20 years of experience in post-secondary education, community development, and the legal profession.

She has a deep commitment to education and has dedicated her working life to ensuring that under-represented learners succeed, both within learning institutions and the larger community.  Good governance and supporting communities to move towards self-government is a passion for. Innovative and creative solutions are needed to move Reconciliation into ReconciliACTION.  Education is the key and access to knowledge is vital to move everyone forward.