Who We Are
Firstly, we challenge the notion that *Indigenous people do not belong in urban centres. All lands in Canada, including urban areas, are the traditional ancestral territories of **First Nation, Inuit or Métis, despite the efforts to displace our people from them. In fact, “most cities are located on sites traditionally used by Indigenous peoples,” and we are reclaiming the spaces where cities have grown up around us.
The Lands We Call Home
We are Urban **First Nation, Inuit and Métis people living in small, medium and large communities, including rural, isolated and remote communities, which are: off-reserve; outside of their home community, community of origin or settlement; or outside of **Inuit Nunangat (**Inuit Homelands).
Members
We are Survivors, family members, frontline service providers, and experts with lived experience in the urban reality and violence who developed the urban chapter of the National Action Plan to Eliminate Violence Against *Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Diane Redsky
Chairperson
Diane Redsky
Chairperson
Diane Redsky is a proud mother of three children and a Kookum (grandmother). She is a member of Shoal Lake #40 First Nation in Treaty #3 territory and resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She spent most of her career leading Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre – translated from Ojibway “we all work together to help one another” the largest non-mandated, non-profit, urban Indigenous-led organization in Manitoba that serves urban Indigenous families in Winnipeg. In 2011-2014, she led Canadian Women’s Foundation National Task Force on Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada which made 34 recommendations to end sex trafficking. In 2018, Diane testified at the MMIWG2S+ National Inquiry and is currently Chairing the MMIWG2S+ Urban Working Group that launched their National Action Plan entitled: Urban Path to Reclaiming Power and Place, Regardless of Residency on June 3, 2021 and is currently working on an implementation plan. She is also part of the Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee made up of MMIWG2S+ family members, survivors and various community-based organizations throughout Manitoba. Dr. Diane Redsky is a nationally renowned, visionary thinker and community leader, she has long worked to address the myriad of issue’s facing Winnipeg’s urban Indigenous community in all areas, including health, justice, education, and social services.
Sylvia Maracle
Member
Sylvia Maracle
Dr. Sylvia Maracle (Skonaganleh:ra) is a Wolf Clan member from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory who has resided in Toronto for 50 years.
She was Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (42 years), Legal Aid Ontario Founding Board Member (7 years), Canadian Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Board Member (3 years), Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Founding Chair (25 years), Ontario Healing and Wellness Strategy Found Chair (20+ years), National Association of Indigenous Friendship Centres Executive Member (4 years), Native Child and Family Services President (10 years) and Native Women’s Resource Centre President (10 years).
Dr. Maracle was honoured with Doctor of Laws from Guelph, York, Trent and Queen’s Universities. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and received a Public Service Award from Indspire. She is appointed to the National Housing Council and chairs the National Committee of 2SLGBTQQIA+ People in response to the MMIWG National Action Plan.
Dr. Maracle also works in United Nations activities, World Urban Forums, and resource exchanges as a facilitator, trainer, speaker and Indigenous knowledge transfer.
Lanna Many Grey Horses
Member
Lanna Many Grey Horses
Member
Lanna Many Grey Horses, également connue sous le nom de Aakaikiitsta aakii, qui se traduit par “Femme de Nombreuses Offrandes”, est membre de la Première Nation Kainai, faisant partie de la Confédération des Pieds-Noirs. Elle réside à Winnipeg, située sur le territoire du Traité 1 et la patrie de la Nation Métisse. Elle travaille activement pour soutenir et valoriser les communautés Autochtones, avec un engagement profond à mettre fin à la violence contre les femmes et filles autochtones disparues et assassinées, y compris les membres des communautés LGBTAB disparues et assassinées.
Ayant grandi sur les territoires des Salish de la Côte à l’est de Vancouver, l’enfance de Lanna a été façonnée par un environnement urbain souvent dépourvu des ressources et des systèmes de soutien nécessaires pour que les Autochtones puissent s’épanouir. Son travail actuel au Centre Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata est axé sur le soutien des communautés Autochtones urbaines à Winnipeg, en amplifiant leurs voix et en favorisant leur autonomie.
Lanna supervise des initiatives visant à aborder des problèmes critiques tels que l’engagement des jeunes, les soins en résidence et la prévention de la violence domestique, avec un engagement à améliorer la sécurité, la justice et le bien-être de la communauté des FFAM2S+. En tant que membre des communautés autochtones urbaines, Lanna s’efforce de cultiver l’espoir, la résilience et un changement significatif, veillant à ce que son travail reflète la dignité, le respect et l’autonomisation collective.
Jocelyn Formsma
Member
Jocelyn Formsma
Jocelyn Formsma is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC). Ms. Formsma is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation in Treaty #9 territory in Northern Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Ottawa and is called to the Bar of Ontario. Ms. Formsma has over 20 years of work and volunteer experience building strong relationships and advocacy with Indigenous peoples. She has worked in areas of social justice, media (radio and film), child welfare reform, youth engagement, and Indigenous children’s rights with and for numerous Indigenous and First Nations organizations. In addition, Ms. Formsma serves as a Board Member of the Indigenous Bar Association, Founder of the Morningstar Fund, Advisor to the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project, Board of Trustee member of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, and has served as a long time member and past Board Member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association, and past Board Member and Chairperson of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. As Executive Director, Ms. Formsma brings her legal training and passion for Access to Justice to her work with Indigenous peoples in urban environments and the Friendship Centre Movement towards innovative, positive and effective systemic change for Indigenous peoples.
Candice Shaw
Member
Candice Shaw
Member
CANDICE SHAW is the Executive Director at the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre where she and her team seek to implement the central components from the Urban Path to Reclaiming Power and Place to meet the distinct needs of Urban Indigenous communities from across the region.
Previously, Candice was the Director of Violence Prevention & Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA People at the Native Women’s Association of Canada and was a member of the Data Sub Working Group for the development of the MMIWG2S+ National Action Plan. Candice is currently a Board Director at Oxfam Canada and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology at McGill University.
Her work with the Urban Indigenous Action Group is furthered both by her professional and academic motivation to bridge research, policy, and service delivery with tangible systemic change for Indigenous peoples, regardless of residency. Being a part of this action group is important to her since it affords the opportunity to contribute to the building out of a framework and implementation strategy that accounts for the “urban reality”; a context that is faced by a growing number of Indigenous peoples across Canada and yet is often overlooked in policy, research, legislation, and service provision.
Elizabeth Blaney
Member
Elizabeth Blaney
My name is Elizabeth Blaney. I live in work within Wolastoqiyik Territory, along the beautiful Wolastoq on the East coast. I am currently the Director of Policy Development with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Before coming to CAP, I was the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council, a CAP affiliate. My work to address violence against Indigenous women and girls includes participating in the institutional hearings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, sitting on the New Brunswick Advisory Committee on Violence against Wabanaki Women, and co-developing the Looking Out for Each Other project. Through my work and personal endeavors I strive to help and effect change and honour the responsibilities I have been given.
Nikki Komaksiutiksak
Member
Nikki Komaksiutiksak
Nikki Komaksiutiksak is an Inuk woman from Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. Nikki is the founding member and chief executive officer to Tunngasugit Inc, Western Canada’s first Inuit Resource Centre located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Though Winnipeg is now her home, Nikki has found the strength to preserve her “Inukness” living in the southern part of Canada. Nikki is an active member with the Inuit community in Winnipeg and uses her knowledge and understanding of the south to assist other Inuit moving to the big city.
Nikki is an inspiration to the young and old everywhere, and truly demonstrates a passion for her cultural identity. Nikki is an experienced throat singer, teacher of Inuit history and culture, and a heartfelt musical performer. Nikki has also been selected by Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada as the 2023 Inuk Woman of the Year. Nikki has participated in several international events, representing Manitoba and Inuit at such prestigious venues as the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg. She has recorded music with local Canadian talent over the past 28 years.
Nikki has been featured in many events around the world, always sharing her identity and teaching about her Canadian Inuit Culture. Nikki has taught at the University of Manitoba instructing Inuit Culture & Societies, and various schools throughout Manitoba to teach and showcase Inuit culture to both students and staff. The Inuit of Canada are an integral part of Canadian history and culture, but sadly are often excluded, overlooked, and forgotten. As a mother and survivor of various intergenerational trauma and a family member affected by her sister’s murder at the mere age of 17 while in the care of Child and Family Services, Nikki believes it is important to learn, educate and understand Inuit culture, history, and language. Nikki truly believes that it is critical that Inuit culture is remembered, recognized, and celebrated throughout all of Canada.
Odelle Pike
Member
Odelle Pike
Odelle Pike is one of nineteen children who grew up in a strong traditional Mi’kmaw family in St. George’s, NL. A mother, wife, sister, auntie and mentor to countless people in her community and throughout the province. Odelle spends every minute of every day working on behalf of the community and volunteering her time for the things like cultural revitalization and sustainability, mental health and advocating on behalf of the women and families impacted by the MMIWG2S+ crisis.
Odelle is the current President of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network, the founder of the Bay St. George Cultural Circle, (present day People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre), Director on the Ulnooweg Development Corporation, and a respected Mi’kmaw Elder who is often called on to conduct healing circles, sweat lodges and lead ceremony that allows people and communities to use traditional ways as a means to deal with situations that are impacting them in a negative way.
Odelle is an instrumental advocate and voice for Indigenous women and members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community facing gender-based violence and works tirelessly in support of creating meaningful change and building the capacity of women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities through economic development and entrepreneurship.
Over the years, Odelle has been honored to be recognized and awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Governor General Sovereign Award for Indigenous Leadership, The Ulnooweg Lifetime Achievement Award, NLOWE Visionary Award, Western Newfoundland Volunteer of the year Award and Skate Canada National Volunteer of the Year Award and most recent was recognized by Memorial University by receiving and Honorary Degree in Law.
Following her retirement in 2011, Odelle has taken a more active role in serving her community and has become a full-time volunteer, reporting to the office of NAWN, working full time hours in the capacity of community leader and change maker. She plays an instrumental role as one of six Elder advisors to the board of Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities, and is an active member of the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee, as well as Elder on the Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation.
Seeing the positive outcomes achieved by the people she has supported; she considers her greatest reward.
Staff
Amanda Kilabuk
Director
Amanda Kilabuk
Director
Originally from Arviat, Nunavut, Amanda Kilabuk has served her life focussing, in both professional and voluntary capacity, on community-led initiatives that empower Inuit. Through her leadership in several agencies in the North, she has helped to create numerous innovative grassroots programming have promote skills and education, child development and research for the Inuit community.
She spent her time in senior management roles at Tungasuvvingat Inuit as Manager of Employment, Director of Education and Employment and then Executive Director. She was instrumental in leading TI through the COVID pandemic, ensuring that there was access to food security, PPE and vaccines to staff and community members. From 2020 to 2023, she served TI as the Executive Director.
Over the past few years, Amanda has shifted her focus to address the myriad of issues facing Inuit women and girls. She played an active role in the MMIWG2S+ Urban Working Group and the Inuit Working Group which developed a National Action Plan and Implementation Plan.
She is currently the Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S+) Urban Indigenous Action Group Director and works as a part-time consultant for Sivummut Solutions.
Brianne Ste. Marie Lacroix
Communications Manager
Brianne Ste. Marie Lacroix
Brianne Ste Marie Lacroix (she/her) is currently the Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S+) Urban Indigenous Action Group’s Communications Manager. Originally from the small town of Ile Des Chenes, outside of Winnipeg in Treaty 1 Territory with mixed Red River Métis, French settler, and Scottish ancestry. She has an educational background in photojournalism. She has always focused her work on topics of intersectional feminism, 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights, and anti-racism. Advocating for a safer more inclusive world is something that Brianne strives to do through her work in the action group and as an artist. Her diverse creative skillset of photography, writing, graphic design, and social media management are helpful in effectively sharing the work of the MMIWG2S+ Urban Indigenous Action Group.
