On Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund’s new Educator Advisory Committee met for the first time using online meeting software to connect members from throughout Canada. The meeting was the first time educators from throughout Canada gathered to discuss the Legacy Schools program and get to know one another. We are excited to have such a strong and dedicated team and look forward to improving the Legacy Schools program with their guidance and support.

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Educator Advisory Committee for Legacy Schools consists of members of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Indigenous educators. They will advise on educational resources and program development for Legacy Schools to help ensure that the unique interests, rights and perspectives of Indigenous peoples are recognized and implemented in schools and communities throughout Canada. Members will also help assess and evaluate the impact of Legacy Schools, furthering DWF’s mission to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all people in Canada.

Educator Advisory Committee Members for 2019-2021

Pearl Achneepineskum
Anishinaabe First Nation, Chanie Wenjack’s sister, Ontario

Daisy Munroe
Anishinaabe First Nation, Teacher, Chanie Wenjack’s sister, Ontario

Harriet Visitor
Anishinaabe First Nation, Teacher, Chanie Wenjack’s niece, DWF Board Member, Ontario

Victoria Utman
Social Worker/School Counsellor, Souris School K-6, Saskatchewan

Becky Tootoo
Inuk, Teacher, Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School, Nunavut

Krista Sherman
Dakota Sioux – Standing Buffalo Saskatchewan, Teacher, Winston Knoll Collegiate, Saskatchewan

Sharon Shadow
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Department of Education, Yukon

Lisa Prinn
Manager, Education & Activation, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Ontario

Jon Patry
Assistant Principal, James Short Memorial (Early Development Centre, K-2), Alberta

Jessica Madiratta
Piapot First Nation, Teacher, Kitchener Community School (K-6), Saskatchewan

Jen Karpiuk
Métis, Teacher, Crescent Heights High School, Alberta

Greg Halcrow
Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Director of Education, Cross Lake Education Authority, Manitoba

James Groat
Tuscarora, Consultant Indigenous Education (K-8), District School Board of Niagara, Ontario

Sheila Francis
Mi’kmaq, Director of Education, Pictou Landing First Nation School, Nova Scotia

Kelly Fontaine
Sagkeeng First Nation, Teacher, Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School, Manitoba

Andrea Eby
Teacher, St. Bonaventure School (K-6), Ontario

Corinne Chappell
Lennox Island First Nations, Colonel Gray High School 9-12, Prince Edward Island

Brad Baker
Squamish Nation, District Principal, Indigenous Education, Safe Schools and Careers,
North Vancouver School District K-12, British Columbia

Trina Allinotte
Teacher, Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute 9-12, Ontario

The Educator Advisory Committee for Legacy Schools will advise current and future programs and participate in their development and quality assurance as needed. Committee members will also assist in identifying resources, including guest speakers, field placement, partnerships and various opportunities to further Legacy Schools programming.

Educator Advisory Committee members are ambassadors and liaisons between DWF, schools, students, educators and the community.

We are currently still seeking members from Nunavut, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland. If you are from these regions you can apply here.

Appointment to the Committee is one two-year term, and when applicable, a second term may be added. Meetings will typically be held virtually two or three times per year.