Kayla Boileau has been with FNIGC since 2023, where she works on projects for the Research and Information Directorate that focus on First Nations mental wellness and the feasibility of First Nations biobanking and genomic research, which includes engagements with Regional Partners. She also leads the implementation of quantitative and qualitative research methods for various projects.   

Prior to FNIGC, Kayla was the Lead Research Assistant for a project on Indigenizing and decolonizing post-secondary education at the University of Ottawa. Kayla has a PhD in Psychology from the University of Ottawa with a specialization in social neuroscience.    

Kayla is Dene-Cree from Cold Lake First Nations, Treaty 6, but was born and raised on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin people. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her dog and three cats. 

Donna Lyons joined FNIGC in 2022. She currently works with the National Data Champion Team which is working to advance the First Nations Data Governance Strategy (FNDGS), with a focus on data capacity-building priorities.

Donna has worked in the field of Indigenous health for the past two decades, most recently spending eight years at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health as the Indigenous Engagement Specialist for the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and the Director of Quality Assurance, Training, and Education. She managed data quality, the Indigenous Cultural Safety Training program, and the culture and Communications teams, and liaised extensively with health systems in Ottawa. Her skills include policy development, facilitation, engagement, management, communications, event management, fundraising, and health research.

Donna holds a BA in Business Administration from Lakehead University, where she is currently completing her Master’s in Public Health. She currently is enrolled in the Editing Certificate program at Simon Fraser University.

Donna is a member of the Animakee Wa Zhing First Nation #37. Originally from Thunder Bay, she now resides there again after 18 years in Ottawa. Donna enjoys sewing and crafting, and is learning graphic design. She spends much of her time at Lac Des Mille Lacs during the summer and fall, and has two daughters who live in Ottawa.

Skylee-Storm Hogan-Stacey joined FNIGC in 2024 as part of the Data Sovereignty Research Collaborative (DSRC, or The Collaborative). She is responsible for planning and undertaking critical inquiry and applied research in First Nations data sovereignty. Skylee-Storm makes critical and creative contributions to the DSRC’s understanding of data as a powerful medium for Indigenous governance and colonial control, involving complex relations of law, practice, meaning, and community.

She has spent the last decade exploring the intersections of information science, public history, and memory in archives, and through applied research projects with communities. In addition to co-authoring Decolonial Archival Futures with Krista McCracken in 2023, Skylee-Storm worked as a research policy analyst with the Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor where she focused on historical research initiatives, archival practices, legal frameworks, and Indigenous data sovereignty.

She has also worked for historical research firms, museums, and the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre.

Skylee-Storm has a BA (Hons.) in Law and Justice from Algoma University and an MA in History from the University of Western Ontario. She identifies with Kanien:keha’ka and settler heritage, with her father’s family being from Kahnawà:ke and her mother’s family being settlers in what is now known as Newfoundland.

Wes McGraw joined FNIGC in 2022, bringing with him a wealth of experience in Information Technology (IT) and project management. He currently serves as the organization’s Senior IT Analyst and has been a driving force behind the development of FNIGC’s IT program, while also overseeing the service desk operations.

Prior to joining FNIGC, Wes worked as a project manager at Animikii, an Indigenous tech start-up based in Victoria, BC. Before that, he was the Infostructure Manager for the Ontario Native Women’s Association, where he oversaw the development of their internal IT program. He also has had the privilege of working with many other Indigenous people, communities, and organizations throughout Canada.

Wes is a certified PMI Agile Practitioner and Project Management Professional (from the Project Management Institute) and has a certification in Indigenous Strategic Planning from The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Wes was born in Cobourg, Ontario, but has spent most of his life living in the community of M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, where he is a band member. Wes finds solace in the great outdoors, often hiking, boating and fishing alongside his faithful canine companion, Luna. His journey reflects a blend of professional excellence and a deep connection with his roots.

Leanne Hunter joined FNIGC in 2022, and currently oversees the Human Resources directorate.

Previously she worked with the First Nations Finance Authority, the First Nations Education Administrators Association, the Assembly of First Nations, AFOA Canada, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and various government departments. She has experience in a broad spectrum of administration, strategic HR initiatives, governance and policy work, workforce planning, and performance management and compensation.

Leanne holds designations including Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), Certified Indigenous Human Resources Professional (CIHRP) and Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA). She also completed the Project Management program at Algonquin College and acquired an Indigenous Policy and Administration certificate at Carleton University.

She was born in Moose Cree First Nation, Treaty 9, located in Northern Ontario, and currently lives in Ottawa. Leanne enjoys sports, traveling, and spending time with her family. She also volunteers as a board member of a local Friendship Centre and as a scholarship and bursary committee member of a local Indigenous charity.

Joining FNIGC in 2012, Meghan Perry oversees the Information Management and Information Technology (IM & IT) unit which she helped to create. Currently, she is responsible for the organization’s technical and information architecture, services, and life-cycle management of information.

Prior to FNIGC, Meghan worked in various information management and technology roles over a 15-year period. As a consultant, she specialized in the implementation of information management policies and procedures in enterprise-wide technology tools at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada. Prior to consulting, Meghan worked as an information management analyst at Indigenous Services Canada and Health Canada.

Meghan seeks varied formal and informal learning opportunities. Her education is in archives and information management, change management and leadership. She resides in Ottawa with her family and pets.

Claudia Meness has been with FNIGC since 2017 and has contributed to several research initiatives including the Scoping Review on First Nations Health and Well-being Indicators, Feasibility Study on Gender-Based Violence Research, and Legislative Review of UNDRIP Through the Lens of First Nations Data Sovereignty. She also leads the Measuring and Defining Safety Among First Nations Women, Girls, and Gender Diverse Individuals exploratory research project and participates in the FNIGC Data Access Review Committee and the FNIGC Research Ethics Review Function.

An Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Quebec, Claudia lives in Kitigan Zibi with her partner and two children. She holds a BA in Law from Carleton University.

Aaron is the Research Lead of the Data Sovereignty Research Collaborative (DSRC). He began at FNIGC in 2018 as Senior Manager, OCAP® and Information Governance, then moving to Senior Advisor, External Relations and Strategic Initiatives.

Aaron’s career spans performance, arts-based research and critical theory (applied theatre and climate justice), and since 2015 advocacy, analysis and leadership in “research about research”, the limits of policy, and resisting extraction of First People’s knowledges and relations. Just before joining FNIGC he worked at the Centres for Environmental Health Equity and Indigenous Research Creation (both Queen’s University) and was a Mitacs policy fellow at SSHRC. He has published in many venues and is also a past editor of alt.theatre magazine.

He has a BFA (Alberta), MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies (Brock) and PhD in Human Geography (Glasgow). Originally from Treaty Six territory (Edmonton), he has British, Northern European, and Metis ancestors with ties to the Anglo-Metis communities of St. Andrews, MB, and Birch Hills, SK. A member of the Manitoba Metis Federation, he lives with his family on unceded Algonquin territory (Ottawa) where he is a member (and past board member) of Horizon Ottawa.

Tania Dube joined FNIGC in 2021 as a Financial Analyst, working closely with the Finance team on budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Her current role has expanded to include financial strategy development and long-term financial planning.

Prior to joining FNIGC, Tania worked in NGOs and accounting firms, holding roles at the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, Native Women’s Association of Canada, McLarty & Co., and MNP.

Tania has an MBA from Queen’s University and is an alumna of Carleton University and Algonquin College. In 2024, she was appointed to the Algonquin College Board of Governors. Tania is Mohawk and Algonquin and is from the Kahnawake and Kitigan Zibi communities in Quebec.

Xinyu Qiao joined FNIGC in 2016, where she contributes analytical reports and leads data quality assurance practices for the Survey team.  

Prior to FNIGC, Xinyu worked for 15 years in the pharmaceutical and health care fields. This experience includes roles as a Programmer Analyst and Senior Analyst at IMS Health, Health Canada, Bruyère Continuing Care, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Xinyu’s skills range from requirements analysis and analytics solution design, to business reporting delivery on a range of administrative databases and data warehouses. 

Xinyu graduated with a BSc in Computer Science from University of Ottawa. She also gained a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, followed by speciality training in Pediatrics.  

Xinyu is an avid hiker and enjoys exploring mountains, rivers, and oceans in her spare time. She also volunteers for various youth soccer clubs and community events in Ottawa. 

Gonzague Guéranger joined FNIGC in 2020 as a member of the National Data Champion Team, where he supports the organization and its Regional Partners in advancement and development of the First Nations Data Governance Strategy (FNDGS).

Previously, he served as Director General at Indigenous Services Canada, leading the strategic research branch and key components of the New Fiscal Relationship. He was also responsible for corporate planning and reporting to Parliament. With more than 30 years of experience, Gonzague has led major transformation initiatives involving multiple stakeholders across federal and provincial public sectors, as well as in private industry.

Born in France, Gonzague moved to Canada in 1988 after obtaining a Master of Management Sciences from the University of Lille. In 1989, he earned an MBA from the University of Ottawa. Gonzague enjoys staying connected to his roots by frequently crossing the ocean.

Tania Budgell joined FNIGC in 2019. She is responsible for overseeing the governance functions of the organization as well as managing the operations of the Executive Office. She advises and contributes to the activities of the Board of Directors and its committees, implements their decisions, and makes recommendations on the development of governance practices

Tania has a strong background in governance, Communications, and administration, gained from her previous roles with numerous Indigenous non-profits and charities, including Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, Legacy of Hope Foundation/Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and the Inuit Art Foundation.

A few of her career highlights include project management of an awareness campaign about the strength and resilience of Indigenous women from across Canada, and the development of national educational exhibitions and publications on the impacts of the Indian Residential School system. She recently completed the Fundamentals of Leadership certificate program at Algonquin College where she also completed a certificate in photography studies.

Tania is of Inuit and Canadian heritage, and currently resides in eastern Ontario. Outside of her professional life, she and enjoys gardening, a broad range of crafts, and ATVing with her partner.

Brad Mackay joined FNIGC in 2013, tasked with establishing the organization’s Communications department. In the years since, he has overseen the development of FNIGC’s revamped website, the creation of the Power of Data campaign and series of articles, the production of corporate videos, the successful launch of numerous survey reports, the redesign of the FNIGC and OCAP® logos, and the creation and cultivation of FNIGC’s social media presence.

A former journalist with the CBC and National Post, Brad has written more than 200 articles over the past 20 years, including a profile of Hungarian-Canadian artist and cartoonist George Feyer that was nominated for a National Magazine Award. He also wrote and co-edited the two-volume Collected Doug Wright: Canada’s Master Cartoonist, a retrospective of the life and career of seminal Canadian artist Doug Wright.

Brad has a graduate diploma from Concordia University’s School of Journalism and a BA with a specialization in Psychology from Carleton University. Brad was born and raised in Ottawa, where he now lives with his wife and three children. In his spare time, he likes to read, write, draw, run, bike, play basketball, and watch movies.

James Allen joined FNIGC in 2019. As a Senior Research Analyst on the Research and Information team, James focuses on collaborating with and supporting FNIGC’s Regional Partners on the National Survey programs, as well as contributing to research and Knowledge Translation projects looking at the analysis and interpretation of First Nations data.

James completed his PhD in developmental psychology at the University of Victoria, where he worked in partnership with First Nations in BC on projects focused on understanding the role of cultural continuity within First Nations communities and how children’s participation in First Nations cultural practices can support their development and well-being. James spent several years as an assistant professor, teaching courses in psychology and learning from and building relationships with Indigenous communities while working at Algoma, Lake Superior State and Trent universities.

James grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, and spent many summers along the shores of Georgian Bay in areas of the Robinson-Huron and Williams treaties. He currently lives in Ottawa on unceded Algonquin territory with his wife and three children. James enjoys spending time in nature with family and friends, playing hockey, and singing and playing guitar around a fire.

Leslie MacGregor joined FNIGC in 2022, where she plays a key role in the assessment, design and delivery of the organization’s OCAP® education and training efforts. She brings a wealth of experience in Indigenous education and senior management to her position at FNIGC.

Previously, she was the Program Administrator, Continuing Education, with Anishinabek Employment and Training Services, and the Associate Dean, Student Services, at Confederation College in Thunder Bay.

Leslie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Mathematics) and a Master’s degree in Leadership with a focus on northern Indigenous pathways for educational prosperity.

As a Métis woman, Indigenous practices and principles are foundational to her inclusive leadership style and core values of reciprocity, relationships, rebuilding and respect. She is deeply committed to initiating change and promoting authentic pathways to decolonization and reconciliation efforts.

She is a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and the proud mama bear to two adult children and a beautiful grandson.

Alana Roscoe joined FNIGC in 2014. She currently leads initiatives to enhance knowledge management and collaboration in the Research and Information directorate, and plays a key role in organizing and documenting information and knowledge, coordinating knowledge-sharing opportunities, and leveraging software tools to facilitate information access. These activities build upon her prior experiences as a survey analyst and research manager with FNIGC.

Previously, Alana performed survey development and data analysis duties with various federal government departments, wrote and edited for a small independent newspaper and participated in solidarity efforts with international human rights groups. She also has experience as a piano and swimming instructor, and teaching English as a second language in South Korea.

Alana earned an MA in Sociology from Carleton University, where she studied how a children’s-rights-based approach was incorporated into the policies and practices of international development organizations. Alana was born in Australia, raised in North Bay, Ontario, and currently lives in Ottawa with her cat. She enjoys walking, running and cycling around her neighbourhood, attending music and art events, and relaxing in hammocks whenever possible.

Maria Santos joined FNIGC in 2013. Currently she oversees the First Nations Data Centre and leads public health data initiatives, which include using First Nations Regional Health Survey (RHS) data to examine First Nations mental wellness, exploring the feasibility for First Nations biobanking and genomic research, and supporting our Regional Partners with their data literacy or COVID-19 data management projects.

Prior to FNIGC, Maria worked as the Territorial Epidemiologist for the Health and Social Services department of the Government of the Northwest Territories. She also worked as a Senior Health Analyst at the Canadian Institute for Health Information and as a Research Assistant at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Maria holds a Master’s degree in Community Health and Epidemiology from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from McMaster University.

A Filipino born and raised in Toronto, Maria lives in Ottawa with her two teens, her husband, and a mixed Husky. She enjoys visiting new places and being outdoors while gardening, camping, paddling or hiking. She volunteers as a member of the executive committee for the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa, an organization that promotes Philippine arts and heritage through children and youth folk dance and music.

Katie Wood joined FNIGC in 2012. She manages and oversees FNIGC’ national surveys and survey initiatives throughout their entire life cycle—from planning and development to implementation, dissemination and evaluation. She has a diverse research background, having previously worked as a research associate at the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, focusing on driver education, graduated driver license programs and alcohol ignition interlock programs.

Katie holds a Master of Public Health from Indiana University and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Raised in New York and North Carolina, she now lives in Ottawa with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, Katie enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, traveling the world for competitions and exploring new destinations.

Amy Nahwegahbow joined FNIGC in 2018, and she is responsible for leading and supporting strategic research initiatives and guiding the development of research proposals, as well as fostering collaboration and communicating research findings to a wide range of stakeholders.

With more than 26 years of experience in research and policy at national Indigenous organizations, Amy is committed to advancing ethical research practices, evidence-based decision making, and First Nations sovereignty in research and data governance. She currently contributes her expertise to shaping national public health policy as a board member of the Canadian Public Health Association. Her professional, volunteer, and educational journey reflects her dedication to addressing the unique health challenges facing First Nations, through community-led research, health promotion and culturally relevant interventions.

An Anishinaabe member of Whitefish River First Nation in Ontario, Amy holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Waterloo and is pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Waterloo’s School of Public Health Sciences. In 2024, she was awarded a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship for her research in environmental influences on health, focusing on assessing environmental exposures, socio-cultural vulnerabilities and health impacts of contaminants from industrial pollution in northern First Nations communities.

Kristine Neglia joined FNIGC in 2019. As the Senior Manager, Education and Training, she is the lead on OCAP® and Data Sovereignty-related education and training activities, such as FNIGC’s The Fundamentals of OCAP®, the FNIGC Student Bursary, and OCAP® workshops and presentations.

Prior to FNIGC, Kristine worked for Indigenous organizations at the local, provincial and national levels in diverse areas such as housing, health and community wellness. Past positions include Education Specialist with the First Nations Health Managers Association, Senior Program Officer with the First Nations Market Housing Fund. and Policy Analyst with the Ontario Native Women’s Association.

Kristine received her MA in Integrated Studies from Athabasca University in 2017, with a specialization in Equity Studies. In 2020, she received the Adult Learning and Development Program Certificate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. An off-reserve member of the Curve Lake First Nation, Kristine now lives in Ottawa, and in her spare time enjoys creating stained glass art and riding her motorcycle.

Savannah LaBelle has worked at FNIGC since 2024, where she is responsible for Project Management, research partnership engagement, and supporting the planning of the strategic direction of the Data Sovereignty Research Collaborative (DSRC, or The Collaborative).  

Prior to FNIGC, Savannah worked at the National Association of Friendship Centres as a Senior Program Coordinator where she supported the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples national program and various emergency funding initiatives. She has also worked for the federal government’s Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program, as a Regional Coordinator at the Native Women’s Association of Canada, and as a Digital Archivist for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. 

Savannah graduated from Algonquin College’s Photography program and is currently enrolled in the Indigenous Social Work program at Laurentian University. 

Savannah is Anishinaabe from Fort William First Nation, but grew up in northern rural Ginoogaming First Nation, and now resides in Ottawa. She enjoys spending her time reading and being with her dog Cooper.  

Kyla Marcoux joined FNIGC in 2013 and has worked in a number of positions related to survey development, data analysis, survey coordination, and management. In her current role, she provides strategic advice, guidance, and support to the Research and Information unit, bridging the survey initiatives and related research projects within FNIGC and its Regional Partner organizations. She also supports the National Data Champion Team and their work on the First Nations Data Governance Strategy’s phased implementation, including the assessment and prioritization of capacity needs for FNIGC and across its network.

She holds an Honours Criminal Justice degree in the Criminology Stream from Nipissing University, where she worked as a research analyst at the Institute for Applied Social Research and as a teaching assistant for quantitative research methods and analysis. She obtained her Master’s in Criminology at the University of Ottawa, where she worked as a teaching assistant in research methods. While completing her  thesis, she worked at the Traffic Injury Research Foundation as a research associate.

Kyla was born and raised in Espanola, Ontario and currently lives in Ottawa with her husband and daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family, practicing aerial hoop, and live music.

Micere Thuku joined FNIGC in 2019 as a Research Analyst, and currently serves as the Senior Research Analyst within the Research and Information department. She is an experienced health researcher, with more than 15 years of expertise specializing in systematic reviews, qualitative and quantitative analyses, and the development of critical appraisal methods and tools.

Prior to FNIGC, Micere worked extensively on implementing health interventions in communities across Canada, Australia, and Africa, collaborating closely with community partners and vulnerable populations. She also contributed significantly to training students and indigenous communities globally in systematic review methods, epidemiology and questionnaire design, fostering research capacity and community engagement.

Micere’s educational background is in information systems, and she is passionate about integrating health with technology in a safe and ethical manner. She has a particular interest in advocating for improved health care access for women and girls in vulnerable positions.

In addition to her research roles, Micere authored various health-related publications in peer-reviewed journals and excels in proposal writing to secure support from diverse organizations. Beyond her professional work, Micere actively contributes to her community as a school council secretary and board member, leads communication committees, and enjoys baking for family-oriented events.