Board Members and Staff
Our Board
Oscar Kistabish
Elder
Québec
Chief Austin Bear
President
Saskatchewan
Pamela Charlong
Vice President Alternate: Audrey Ward
YSAC
Janice Nicotine
Treasurer Alternate: Angie Turner
Saskatchewan
Keith Leclaire
Special Advisor
Chanz Thomas
Ex-Officio
Indigenous Services Canada
Camilla Sehti
Secretary Alternate: Sabrina Guzman
NUNAVUT
Dr. William Mussell
Alternate: Dr. Brenda Restoule
First Peoples Wellness Circle
Nelson Alisappi
ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS
Dawna Gillis-Prosper
Alternate: Michelle Anderson
Atlantic region
Wanda Smith
Alternate: Francine Pellerin
Ontario
Angela Miljour
Alternate: Richard Gray
Québec
Marcie Tavares
Alternate
Manitoba
Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox
Alternate: Caroline Adam-Courtoreille
Alberta
Duanna Johnston-Virgo
Alternate: Katie Hughes
British Columbia, FNHA
Alexis Anderson
Alternate: Kristeen McTavish
Yukon
Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Alternate: Theresa Etchinelle
Northwest Territories
Staff
Partnerships & Policy
Dr. Carol Hopkins
Chief Executive Officer
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Dr. Carol Hopkins is the chief executive officer of the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation and is of the Lenape Nation at Moraviantown, Ontario. Carol was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada in 2018. In 2019, she was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Laws from Western University. Carol has spent more than 20 years in the field of First Nations addictions and mental health. She holds both a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto and a degree in sacred Indigenous Knowledge, equivalent to a PhD in western based education systems. Carol also holds a sessional faculty position at the School of Social Work at King’s University College at Western University.
Carol has co-chaired national initiatives known for best practice in national policy review and development, resulting in the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum (FNMWC) framework, the Honouring Our Strengths: A Renewed Framework to Address Substance Use Issues Among First Nations People in Canada, the Indigenous Wellness Framework, and best practice guidelines for culturally based inhalant abuse treatment. Carol has also inspired the development of the Native Wellness AssessmentTM. In recognition of this work, she received the Champions of Mental Health Award 2015 for Research/Clinician, the Health Canada Innovations Award, was a member of the leadership advisory council to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and was part of the Canadian delegation to the 2016 United Nations General Assembly, Special Session on the World Drug Problem. Carol also participates on a national mental health advisory council to the federal Minister of Health.
Jennifer Bridle
Project Coordinator
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Jennifer Bridle is a project coordinator for the policy and partnership team at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She has a Bachelor of Arts in History and English from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Calgary specializing in the colonial history of the Americas.
Before joining Thunderbird Jennifer worked at the University of Windsor in admin and special projects: Special Projects Coordinator to the Deans of Law; Special Projects Assistant to the Vice President, Finance and Operations; Graduate Student Admin – Faculty of Law and Faculty of Engineering.
Outside of work Jennifer enjoys spending time with her two daughters, riding and spending time with her horses, and walking/hiking with her dog. She also loves to travel and experience cultures, enjoys genealogy and family history, and in her family Jennifer is known for making a decent loaf of bread from scratch!
Operations & Finance
Annette Howlett
Operations Manager
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Annette Howlett is the Operations Manager at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. Annette grew up on a farm in Delaware Township and currently resides in London, Ontario. She has a specialist Bachelor of Arts in social cultural Anthropology from the University of Toronto. She is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and has worked in various facets of human resources including recruitment and selection, payroll, and as a human resources manager before joining Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.
Outside of work, Annette enjoys watching films, reading, and listening to music. She is a lifelong learner who enjoys exploring topics related to health and wellbeing. She loves spending time with her grandchildren and her little dog.
Valerie Peters
Senior Administrative Assistant
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Valerie Peters is senior administrative assistant at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is Bizawn Oday Kwe (Peaceful Heart Woman) of the Ndamiiminzwi Takwax (of the Turtle Family) and is a proud Lunapeew and Anishinabe from the Munsee-Delaware and Delaware Nation.
Valerie obtained a Bachelor of Sociology from the University of Windsor in 2003 and shortly after began the insightful work of community development, specifically with health and wellness initiatives. Valerie enjoyed developing new relationships to support service delivery aimed at optimizing the community’s capacity to obtain their health and wellness goals. Having worked in both home communities since 2004, Valerie is continuing to support the advancement of Indigenous Knowledge into practical initiatives through wholistic approaches.
In her daily life, she strives to exemplify her strong belief in practicing cultural values, teachings and thinking. Valerie’s joy is her ‘son shines’ whom she and her partner are committed to raising with a strong cultural foundation in her home community of the Delaware Nation.
Christine Correa
Human Resources Assistant
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Christine Correa is a human resources assistant at Thunderbird. She supports recruitment, the Human Resources Information System, records management and other functions required by operations and human resources. Christine is
a graduate of a Dual Bachelor’s degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Guidance and Counseling. She has been working in the human resources field for 15 years, for industries such as banking, food and beverage and telecommunications. She is new to working with a non-profit organization and looks forward to learning and growing with Thunderbird.
Outside of work, Christine enjoys spending time at home with her husband and two dogs. She also loves doing crochet projects, either for home decoration or something that she or her dogs can wear!
Ramesh Bhattarai
Inventory Specialist
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Ramesh Bhattarai is the inventory specialist at Thunderbird. He develops and maintains stock control systems, improves existing procedures to maintain inventory accuracy, takes care of purchasing, completes coding of accounts payable and supplier statements, and is responsible for inventory management.
Ramesh has been working in the supply chain and logistics industry for the past seven years. He started as logistics processor with Nordstrom Toronto, in 2017; after two years he was promoted to inventory control specialist and a year later became assistant operations manager. He also worked at Westlake Royal Building Products as a senior inventory clerk before joining Thunderbird.
Ramesh belongs to the Brahmins Hindu community from Jitpur Phedi, Kathmandu, Nepal. His native language is Nepali. Outside of work Ramesh enjoys hiking, trekking, watching documentaries, and meditation. He is a big Nepali cricket fan and follows every match/activity of the Nepal national cricket team.
Richard Colebeck
IT Systems Administrator
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Richard Colebeck is the IT Systems administrator at Thunderbird. He does all things “IT”, such as system administration, security, support of networks, computers, and peripheral devices. Richard has decades of IT experience working in public sector environments, particularly with local municipalities.
Richard is a first-generation settler with parents from the United Kingdom. He is a dad to six children and a grandparent to three. Richard loves animals, and has cats, dogs, chickens, geese, turkey, goats, and pigs. Outside of work Richard and his family enjoy working on their hobby farm, trying to achieve a sustainable, wholistic and organic lifestyle.
Kate Turner
Evaluation & CQI Coordinator
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Kate Turner is evaluation and continuous quality improvement (CQI) coordinator at Thunderbird. She comes from a quiet farm outside of Oil Springs, Ontario. Kate has an undergraduate degree in psychology and mathematical sciences from the University of Guelph and a master’s degree in public health from Western University. Previously working for a local public health unit Kate was able to create comprehensive health status reports and assist frontline staff with program planning and evaluation.
Kate enjoys spending time outside during all the seasons, on the diamond and in the arena playing fastball and hockey, as well as going for long walks with her furry four legged friend.
Cheryl White
Finance Manager
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Cheryl White (Yokonikoli) is the finance manager at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. Her educational background is in administration and human resource management. She has worked in residential treatment settings, in administration and in finance for 24 years.
Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. Her quiet time at home is spent sewing, quilting, and crafting. Cheryl attends Longhouse Ceremonies and says in general, she tries to be the best person she can.
Communications
Jordan Davis
Full Stack Developer
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Jordan Davis is our full stack developer at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. He lives in Victoria BC on the traditional lands of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and Lekwungen (Songhees) ancestors and families. Prior to working at Thunderbird, Jordan worked as a freelance web developer, graphic designer and photographer. Jordan’s work includes developing apps focused on Indigenous Wellness for iOS and Android, as well as supporting the development and maintenance of Thunderbird’s web projects. Jordan is grateful to be able to work on meaningful projects with Thunderbird and enjoys the challenges each day brings.
In his spare time, Jordan enjoys 3D printing, and exploring the outdoors with his three daughters.
Christopher Heffley
Creative Lead
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Chris Heffley is Thunderbird’s creative lead, ensuring that the organization is represented with a consistent visual language and tone, true to our values. He spent more than 25 years working in numerous design areas after graduating in visual communications in 1996. Most recently he worked as a full-time freelancer focusing on values-based work with clients in community development, education and activism, arts and culture, health and wellness, and environmental technology and sustainability.
Chris is a 3rd generation settler of Scottish and German descent, he grew up in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). He now lives on the territory of the Tla’amin First Nation on the Sunshine Coast of BC with his partner where he enjoys gardening, photography, art, music and cooking.
Parween Mungur
French Language Translator
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Parween Mungur is the French language translator at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is a graduate from York University in French Studies and University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s in education. She lives and works in Mississauga, ON, the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations. Originally, Parween is from the beautiful island of Mauritius where her family still resides. Since childhood, she has always wanted to serve the community through her profession. Growing up bilingual (English and French), she has always been passionate about the French language. She has worked as an elementary school teacher for the full French and French Immersion programs in Ontario and chose to switch career paths to become a French language translator.
Outside of work, Parween is a loving mother of two beautiful children and a kitten. She enjoys spending time with them at home, in provincial parks and wherever adventures take them. Having no family in Canada, she is grateful to have close friends to spend summer, birthdays and holidays with. Parween enjoys spending time alone, reading and learning for self-development, and religious and spiritual growth. She also enjoys spending time in nature for grounding, connecting, and recharging her energy. Being a tropical island girl by birth and heart, she loves the beach, sand, and a blue sky.
Caroline Parnell-Barry
Writer/Editor
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Caroline Parnell-Barry is a Writer/Editor for Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, working remotely from her home office in East Ferris Ontario. She is of mixed heritage (Algonquin/European) and a registered member of the Algonquin Nation (Pikwakanagan).
Caroline’s career encompasses all major media (television, radio, print, web, social media) with writing and multimedia message strategy as key strengths.
She is married with 5 children and assorted fur babies. Caroline is also an enviro-artist who makes funky creations using natural and repurposed elements.
Sidney Tran
Graphic Designer
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Sidney Tran is Thunderbird’s graphic designer and assists our creative lead in designing and branding electronic and print materials. She studied graphic design at OCAD University (Toronto, ON) and earned a bachelor’s degree in design in 2021. Sidney has worked in a variety of settings, such as: start-ups, print houses, real estate and non-profit organizations.
Sidney comes from a Vietnamese heritage and was born and raised in Barrie, ON, on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. She later moved to Toronto, in 2016 for school and career opportunities.
Outside of work, Sidney enjoys playing video games on her Nintendo Switch. She enjoys travelling and hopes to visit every part of the world one day, especially Japan. She also likes spending time with her dog, exploring the city and learning new recipes to cook. Her favourite drinks are coffee and bubble tea.
Research
Yvonne Olivier
Addictions Program Supervisor
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Yvonne Olivier is the Addictions Program Supervisor at Thunderbird. She is responsible for overseeing the effective planning, coordination, and implementation of the Addictions Management Information System (AMIS), ensuring the coordination of functions and activities for the client/case management information databases.
Yvonne is a Blackfoot woman and a member of the TsuuT’ina Nation in Alberta. She has more than 22 years of management and clinical experience working within the First Nation population in the mental health and addictions field. Yvonne started out as a mental health coordinator, working alongside the NNADAP staff in community wellness.
She then served a 10-year tenure as Executive Director for a Youth Solvent Addictions Program on the Siksika Nation. She has been working as a mental health and addictions consultant for the past four years. Yvonne has a degree in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies, and holds a First Nation Managers Certification.
Outside of work Yvonne enjoys golfing, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.
Eric Mack
Administrative Assistant / Data Entry
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Eric Mack is an admin/data entry assistant at Thunderbird. Born and raised in London Ontario, Eric graduated from King’s University College with a BA, Honors in Specialization in Social Justice and Peace Studies and a minor in Political Science. He also has ageneral business diploma from Fanshawe College. Prior to working with Thunderbird he worked as a processing clerk for Premier Insurance Group and as an admin assistant for the Alumni Affairs and Foundation office at King’s University College, through the school’s work study program.
Eric supports the operational and admin needs of the Research team and works with the admin support team members to assist with the overall operations of Thunderbird.
Outside of work Eric enjoys video games, movies, comic books, photography, and reading, and making a good lemonade!
Christy Bird
Addictions Program Coordinator
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Christy Bird is an Addictions Program Coordinator at Thunderbird. She works with the research team to build and maintain relationships with community partners, planning, coordinating and implementing the AMIS database system. She has a BSW from University of Manitoba and is working on her Master of Development Practice with a focus on Indigenous development from the University of Winnipeg.
Christy is Anishinaabe and Cree. She worked for many years in helping fields such child and family services and most recently in community as a program manager at a treatment centre.
Christy believes her greatest gifts are her daughters and family. She loves being on the land in every season, as a family often outdoors fishing, hunting, harvesting wild rice, medicines, and berries. Attending ceremonies is also a big part of her spiritual and mental wellbeing and is a huge role in her family life. Outside of work Christy likes to dance pow wow, enjoys sewing/beading and cooking.
Thi Nguyen
Epidemiologist
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Thi Nguyen is an epidemiologist at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, at the London office. She works with the Research Team to develop research protocols, collect and analyze data, and write reports for communities and stakeholders.
Thi has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has worked as a nurse in a variety of settings including primary care and public health. Her passion for public health and quantitative research methodologies led her to pursue her Master of Public Health, specializing in Epidemiology from Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Most of her experience has been working with health administrative data, including surveillance data management, both as an infectious disease nurse and as an epidemiologist.
Outside of work Thi enjoys exploring nature, reading sci-fi books, cycling, and spending time with her friends and family (including her two cats).
Shawna Olson
Addictions Program Coordinator
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Shawna Olson is an Addictions Program Coordinator at Thunderbird. She is a member of the research team and works with the Buffalo Riders Program, building and maintaining relationships with community partners, planning, coordinating, and implementing the Addictions Management Information System (AMIS).
Shawna is an Ojibway from the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in Manitoba. Her Anishinaabe name is Beshaanakadooikwe (Beautiful Cloud Woman) and she is from the Ma’iingan (Wolf) Clan. Shawna has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Native Studies from the University of Manitoba. She has previously worked for her community in Brokenhead as a mental wellness worker.
Shawna is a mother of two children and a yorkie. She enjoys ice fishing, golfing, beading, sewing, cycling, and going to movies. Shawna loves practicing her culture by attending Midewiwin ceremonies, travelling and dancing at many powwows across Canada and the United States with her family.
Ekta Pandya
Epidemiologist
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Ekta Pandya is an epidemiologist at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, London office. She obtained her Bachelor of Pharmacy in India. She has completed her Master of Pharmacy Research from Sydney, Australia and Master of Public Health and Epidemiology from Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
Ekta has a background in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. However, most of her experience has been working with large population-based registries in Canada and Sweden. She also has experience in conducting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. She is a published author and has contributed as first and co-author peer-review publications and National and local public health reports.
Ekta enjoys watching documentaries, learning about different cultures, cooking for family and friends, ice-skating, and playing basketball.
Training & Education
Mary Deleary
Training & Education Manager
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Mary Deleary is training education manager at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is Algonquin Anishinabe originating from Kitigan Zibi (Quebec), who’s lifelong dedication in the pursuit of Indigenous knowledge and practice is grounded and nurtured through the Midewiwin ‘way of the heart’. Mary brings her years of Indigenous learning within traditional lodges and mainstream university to her leadership role as training education manager. Mary devoted a number of years to the field of Indigenous-based education including the development and establishment of culturally relevant post- secondary programs to meet the specific needs of First Nation individuals and communities. She also draws upon her past experience serving as executive director of Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre and participating in the HOS:CASI research project, which led to the development of NWA™.
Outside of work Mary enjoys devoting time to family, being with her grandchildren in all their stages of development, ceremonial gatherings, gathering medicine, and long walks amongst creation.
Jaime Ann Whiteye
Administrative Assistant
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Jaime Ann Whiteye is the administrative assistant for the Training and Education team at Thunderbird. Her background is in Business Administration with an Accounting Diploma from St. Clair College. Before joining Thunderbird, Jaime was the Economic Development Coordinator with Delaware Nation for six years and before that, the Nation’s Economic Development assistant.
Jaime Ann has a Lenape/Ojibway background – was born, raised and lives in Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit.
Outside of work Jaime enjoys reading and watching documentaries. Her family is her most important hobby and gives her Hope, Belonging, Meaning and Purpose in her life.
Dr. Jessica Ford
Training Coordinator
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Dr. Jessica Ford (Kizhay Wahdizi Quay) is the training coordinator at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She is an Inuk who is adopted into an Anishinabe family. Her Spirit name talks about her way of being: that is of kindness and a caring nature. She is from the Caribou Clan. Jessica is from Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake, NU) but has lived in the south since she was younger. She is a mother of two children and ensures culture is a focus in their lives. Jessica strives to exemplify her strong belief in practicing cultural values, teachings and thinking. Before starting employment at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation Jessica had been a teacher for 17 years in several capacities from elementary school through graduate school. In 2017 Jessica completed her PhD in Education specifically on the importance of story work.
Outside of work she spends time with her children participating in ceremonies and loves to have fun outside and on the water playing and enjoying the beautiful gifts of Creation. She also loves to quilt and craft and enjoys early morning quiet walks or runs with her dog.
Jody-Ann Henry
Instructional Design & Development Specialist
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Jody-Ann Henry is the instructional design and development specialist at Thunderbird. She was born and raised in St. Andrew, Jamaica and feels blessed to have been exposed to a rich diversity of many cultures. She has worked in the field of education and training for more than 15 years, as a teacher, technical writer, online learning project manager and instructional designer. As an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) Jody-Ann is passionate about training and education. She holds a MSc. in Public Administration (Distinction), a Bachelor of Education in Business and Computer Studies (Honours), and a PGCert in Technical Communications (Honours). Jody-Ann recently completed a M.Ed. in Educational Technology and Design (ETAD) with the University of Saskatchewan. Jody-Ann facilitates the continued design and development of the digital Community of Practice and support of the Train-the-Trainer programs at Thunderbird, and also supports the ongoing development of on-line courses. In her free time, Jody-Ann enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, painting, gardening, and listening to a wide genre of music. She is also a technology enthusiast.
Karly Macdonald
Facilitator Coach Navigator
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Karly Macdonald is the Facilitator Coach Navigator at Thunderbird. Her role is to provide support for Thunderbird partners (First Nations communities and workforce in the field of mental wellness) who are participating in Thunderbird’s Train the Trainer (TTT) Programs as provisional trainers and as training facilitators. Karly provides mentoring and coaching by engaging with participants through the digital Community of Practice and facilitating virtual training sessions.
Karly has a Diploma in Recreation Therapy from Nova Scotia Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) from Cape Breton University, and a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from Laurentian University. For most of her early professional career she worked as a recreation therapist before returning to school to complete her two undergrade degrees. She has previously worked in Crisis Intervention and has also provided knowledge translation and evaluation at the Dr. Peter Centre in British Columbia.
Outside work Karly enjoys camping with her family, exploring nature, advocacy work, and art. She is married with one daughter and three dogs.
Carrie Miller
Trainer
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Carrie Miller is a trainer at Thunderbird.
She is Anishinaabe and European and grew up along the shores of Lake Huron. She is a member of the Eagle clan from Nipissing First Nation (Nbisiing). Carrie has a Developmental Service Worker diploma from St. Clair College and an Honour’s Disability Studies - Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Minor in Indigenous Studies from the University of Windsor. She is currently finishing her Bachelor of Indigenous Education at Queen’s University. Carrie worked at Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig as a teacher and at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance as the Indigenous Transition Navigator.
Outside of work and school she spends most of her time with her children, dogs, continuing her journey of reconnecting with culture and connecting with the land. She loves animals, books and crafting.
Alicia Prance
Trainer
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Alicia Prance is a trainer at Thunderbird Partnership Foundation. She learned to view health holistically while studying health science at Western University. Then continuing her education at Queens University, Alicia studied anatomy and completed research on the application of retrieval-based study techniques.
Following school, Alicia worked at Mount Sinai hospital where she enjoyed connecting with patients during recruitment and data collection for clinical studies. In her last role, Alicia worked on Atlohsa’s Giwetashkad team collating data, and she also worked with the Giiwitaabiwag Knowledge Exchange team, helping to facilitate cultural safety training.
Alicia is Ojibwe on her paternal side and Irish from her mother’s side. She is a member of the Turtle Clan from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, and she grew up in London. She is happily married to her husband, Aahmed, and enjoys attending events within the Pakistani community as well. Outside of work, Alicia enjoys gaming, crafting, making coffee, being in nature and she stays active by going to a local dance studio.
Angela Simmons
Trainer
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Angela Simmons is a trainer at Thunderbird. She is Wolf clan and a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. She was born and raised in London Ontario where she is completing her bachelor’s degree at Western University with a double major in Indigenous Studies and Social Justice and Peace Studies.
In her spare time Angela loves to read, and typically has about five books on the go. She also enjoys taking her dogs Zena and Sophie for walks, and spending time with her family and friends. Angela is a big fan of pizza and her favourite place to be is always at home.