Name (Pronouns), Role
Caceila Trahan (She/They) ​Director	Caceila Trahan (she/they) is from Bawaating. They are a descendant of a rich mixed ancestry including:  Anishinaabe from Goulais Mission and French-Canadian from Blind River on their mother’s side, and Irish, Acadian, Mi’kmaq from Nova Scotia, and British from Ardan, Ontario on their father’s side. Caceila is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, community development, and grassroots organizing. Before joining OIYPP, they served as Program Manager for the Youth Opportunities Fund at the Ontario Trillium Foundation. They are also a co-founder of Bawaating Child Welfare Warriors and Youth Odena, two grassroots initiatives supporting Indigenous youth. They hold a Bachelor of Arts in Community Economic and Social Development from Algoma University, and a Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies from Sault College.
Britney Wabigwan (She/Her) ​Associate Director	Britney Wabigwan (she/her) is based in Bawaating, with family roots in Thessalon First Nation and Sault Ste. Marie. A proud mother of two, Britney temporarily relocated from her home territory to access specialized autism services for her youngest son. She brings to OIYPP a strong background in youth support, cultural facilitation, and trauma-informed care. Most recently, she worked as a House Manager and Residential Youth Worker at Larimar Homes Inc. Britney is widely recognized for her engaging workshops and creative practice, and has taught traditional and life skills at Central Algoma Secondary School, Thessalon First Nation Public School, and in virtual classrooms across Ontario. With training in Trauma-Informed Practice and Crisis Intervention, Britney brings both compassion and strength to every space she enters. ​
Quinn Meawasige (He/Him) ​Steering Committee Chair	Quinn Meawasige is an Ojibwe from Serpent River First Nation. His community is a signatory of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850. Quinn recently graduated from Algoma University with a Bachelor of Arts in Community Economic and Social Development (Honours) and a Certificate in Anishinaabemowin from Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. Upon graduating, Quinn became a founding member of the Nimkii Youth Collective, a grassroots Indigenous youth led language, arts and culture initiative. The Nimkii Youth Collective received a 2-year grant from the Test Innovation Steam of the Youth Opportunities Fund under the Ontario Trillium Foundation to carry out a two-year lands-based language project at Nimkii Aazhibikoong; a year-round lands-based language and culture camp located in his traditional territory.  Quinn was a youth advisor for the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project (OIYPP) - an Indigenous youth led and designed grant/partnership project that helps to support Indigenous youth explore and execute ideas to transform their communities -  from 2015 to 2019 and just recently transitioned into the role of Chair of the OIYPP Steering Committee.ue
Kris Archie (They)  Executive Director, The Circle  ​Steering Committee Member	Kris Archie, a Secwepemc and Seme7 woman from the Ts’qescen First Nation, is passionate about heart-based community work and facilitating positive change. In her own words: “My lived experiences as a mixed blood woman, mother and community member informs my desire for inclusion, accessibility, and justice”. Kris is the Executive Director of  “The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada”, an open network to promote giving, sharing, and philanthropy in Aboriginal communities across the country. In all of her roles, Kris works to transform philanthropy and contribute to positive change by creating spaces of learning, relationship-building and activation.
Jocelyn Formsma (She/Her) Executive Director,  National Association of Friendship Centres  ​Steering Committee Member	Ms. Formsma is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation, Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Ottawa. Jocelyn brings to the NAFC many years of work and volunteer experience building strong relationships and advocacy on behalf of Indigenous peoples. Most recently, she was Called to the Bar of Ontario and has been working as a lawyer for a First Nations-owned law firm. Prior to this, she worked for numerous national Aboriginal organizations and First Nations organizations. In addition, Jocelyn serves as the Chairperson of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Board Member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association, is a Champion of the Feathers of Hope, Founder of the Morningstar Fund and is an Advisor to the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project.
Treyson Wabanosse (He/Him) Youth Advisory Council Member ​	Treyson currently is a first year highschool student, residing with his family on Mnidoo Mnis (Manitoulin Island). He is a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceeded Territory, and has also lived, gone to school, and/or has family ties with Bawaating (Algoma) and Nbiising (Nipissing). Treyson is an avid food connoisseur, and loves travelling to many different parts of Turtle Island with his family. He has plans to see the world and enjoy all the food, scenery, people, and has a bucket list goal to visit every NHL arena while enjoying a hockey game. His current passions and interests include hockey jersey designing, music, record and record player collecting, mocktail mixology, photography and photo editing. Treyson enjoys some down time to visit friends, play hockey with his fellow U15 teammates, designing maps on Fortnite, and enjoying time outdoors, especially at the farm. Treyson takes his roles and responsibilities as the first born child, grandchild and great grandchild seriously and does his best to visit and learn family stories, recipes, and family lineage, so that he can share with his younger sister, brother, and cousins as they get older. ​
Ayla Wabigwan (She/Her) ​Youth Advisory Council Member	Ayla is a proud Ojibway from Thessalon First Nation. Her spirit name is Red Turtle Woman and she is part of the Eagle Clan. Ayla is in her last year of elementary school, and plans on graduating High School and College, to become a nurse and to travel the world. Ayla would like to attend more Ceremonies and learn more teachings, so she can bring them back to her community and family. Ayla is passionate about art, hand drumming, karate, hanging out with her family, helping her community when possible and is a proud Jingle Dress Dancer!
Emily Granville (she/Her) ​Youth Advisory Council Member	Emily Granville is an Odawa-Cree student from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, ON. She learned trumpet and piano while in high school, after which they attended Cambrian College for Music Performance, opting to major in piano. Now in the Bachelor of Music program at Wilfrid Laurier University, she aspires to further their career and education in music, with an interest in composition, performance and ethnomusicology. Emily has participated and is involved within the Indigenous community and music; being involved as a National Indigenous Ambassador of Youth with We Matter, performing and composing their own piece through Paprika Theatre Festival and the Northern Ontario Music & Film Awards, taking part in the Indigenous Classical Music Gathering at Banff Centre in Banff, AB, as well as volunteering as a piano teacher for the Community Music School of Waterloo Region.
Shanna Peltier (She/Her), ​Youth Advisory Council Member	Shanna Peltier (she/her) is an Anishinaabe kwe who grew up in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory located on the beautiful Mnidoo Mnis (Manitoulin Island), Ontario. Shanna attended all three schools on reserve and proudly graduated from Wikwemikong "Wasse-Abin” High School in 2013. Shanna has a B.A. in Psychology from Laurentian University and a Masters in School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) - University of Toronto (UofT). Currently, Shanna is a Ph.D. candidate in the SCCP program at OISE-UofT. Shanna’s research seeks to foster Indigenous mental wellness, prevent suicide, and promote life through community-based responses that are built upon Indigenous knowledge, youth leadership, and wise practice approaches. Shanna is a psychological consultant at the Wikwemikong Health Centre. Shanna provides psychological intervention and assessment services to children, youth, and their families in this role.
Rainbow Agawa (She/Her) ​Youth Advisory Council Member	Rainbow Agawa is from Batchewana First Nation, Ontario. Her Spirit Name is Loud Thunderbird Woman and she is Bear Clan. Rainbow is 33 years of age and has a 13 year old whom she admires immensely. She took Social Services Worker - Native Specialisation at Sault College and continued to Laurentian University in Native Human Services. Her background consists mostly of Education and Child Welfare within her community and the Friendship Centres. Rainbow now runs her own Graphic Design/Website Design business out of Batchewana and services Indigenous people all across Canada. Rainbow has always had a passion for working with youth and dedicates time and resources to assist youth entrepreneurs to build their businesses. Rainbow is very excited to be on the Youth Advisory Committee for OIYPP and looks forward to the year ahead. ​