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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The following volunteers were elected on August 13, 2008 from the corporation's Membership to the Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation Board of Directors for the 2008-2009 term:

Catherine Debassige (Petahtegoose) President Cathy Debassige (Petahtegoose) was born and raised in Sudbury.  Cathy was the Treasurer of Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation from 1988 to 1994. She took a few years off to pursue other interests and was voted back onto the Board in the summer of 2002. Cathy has volunteered to assist with N'Swakamok Friendship Centre Alternative School fund raisers as well as with children and prenatal programs at the centre. The well-being of the Native community is very important to Cathy, she considers being involved with Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation an ideal way to help achieve this goal. In her spare time, Cathy enjoys crafts such as beading, sewing, crochet as well as volunteering to help other organizations.

Susan Bruce Vice-President Susan Bruce was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in Toronto, Susan attended law school at the University of Western Ontario in London. She was called to the bar in 1986 and was in private practice for one year. In 1987 Susan became an Assistant Crown Attorney and currently works in that position at the Crown’s office in Sudbury. Susan has been a Director of Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation since 1995. She has also served as a Director of the Sudbury YWCA where she focused her attention on emergency shelter for abused women. Away from work, Susan’s interests are varied and include rowing. In 2001 she was a Gold Medalist in her category at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta for the 1000 metre event. The majority of Susan’s time away from work and volunteer activities is devoted to her husband and two children.

Hannu Piironen Treasurer Hannu Piironen is one of the newest Directors of the corporation. Hannu was appointed to the position of Treasurer in July of 2002. Besides holding a Law Degree from York University and an Honours of Political Science degree from Laurentian University, Hannu is also an experienced Landlord, owning and managing several buildings in Sudbury. Hannu is an Honourary Consul of Finland. His past experience working with non-profit organizations include the Sudbury Finnish Rest Home Society, Sudbury Suomi Lions and Network North. Hannu states that he is interested in the housing field and wants to contribute to his hometown of Sudbury by sharing the knowledge and expertise he has acquired over the years. He also believes that Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation is a well-run organization with worthwhile objectives. Hannu's pastimes include reading, travelling and playing trivia games. He is married with two children, Miia who is 10, and Mikko who is 6, and one cat named Wooly.

Bill Kinoshameg Director Bill Kinoshameg is one of the newest members of the Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation Board, although he has years of experience in the non-profit housing sector. Bill was born in Wikwemikong, Ontario on Manitoulin Island, and now resides in Sudbury. Bill worked with Toronto General Hospital in Energy Management, and was a foreman at General Electric before he retired from his most recent job as Supervisor of Operations at Trent University in Peterborough. Bill's volunteer work is extensive, some of which includes the following: he has been on the Board of Wigwamen Incorporated (Ontario's oldest and largest Urban Native Housing corporation) in Toronto since 1977 and has served as that corporation's President since 1995. Bill is actively involved with Operation Red Nose, a volunteer group during the Christmas season. He has been a member of the North American Indian Club for many years and has served as the club's President for part of that time. He also has been a Director for Habitat for Humanity. Bill has various licenses in different trades and has completed many courses in safety, fire and first aid. He attended Garnier College Residential School in Spanish, Ontario. He has a wide interest in all fields of knowledge. His interest in serving on the Board of Directors of Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation is because it is a corporation similar to Wigwamen Incorporated, helping Native families and individuals secure safe, affordable and decent housing in an urban setting. In his spare time, Bill enjoys reading, listening to music, outdoor adventures such as canoeing kayaking, golfing, hockey and exploring life around him. Bill says that he likes to be involved in projects so that his "mind doesn't go to waste." Bill lives by the philosophy of "doing the best I can in whatever I try."

James Fortin Director James Fortin was elected at the Annual General Meeting held on August 13, 2008. A photo and biographical information will be posted at a later date. George DeLongchamp Director George Delongchamp was the Maintenance Supervisor for many years at the corporation until he retired and became a Director in January 2009. George was born in Sudbury and moved to Red Lake in Northwestern Ontario when he was 22 to work at the Griffith Mine open pit operation. During the twenty years he lived in Red Lake, George developed an appreciation for nature while working on the large drill rigs and driving the massive open pit haulage trucks. The lakes bordering the mine were havens for animals like moose, bears and wolves. In fact, nature was so close that George recounts "throwing snowballs at some young and playful wolves" on occasion. He enjoyed capturing the wildlife on film while at the same time honing his photography skills and adding to his impressive portfolio of photographs. George later became involved in the tourist industry as a hunting and fishing guide. He also managed a remote fly-in tourist operation in the far north for several years. At the close of hunting season, George would travel to work at other remote mines in Canada's north, including Golden Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Eldorado Nuclear in northern Saskatchewan, and Thelon River Expeditions in Hay River, Northwest Territories. George also worked as a commercial and residential landlord during his sojourn in Red Lake. During his last year there, he maintained the many townhouse complexes and senior's residences managed by the West Kenora Housing Authority. During the latter part of George's stay in Red Lake, he met his wife Wilma and they married on Vancouver Island by the ocean at the renowned McLure House. They began to raise their family and eventually moved to Sudbury to be closer to schools, colleges and universities. Within a year of returning, the couples' fourth and youngest child, Celeste, was born at home in Sudbury with the assistance of midwives. This led to George's wife, Wilma, eventually becoming a Doula (birthing assistant) herself, and to immersing herself in nursing studies at Laurentian University. George enjoys the outdoors and yearns to someday travel the famous Thelon River Sanctuary in the arctic, and Lake Athabasca in north Saskatchewn and the Northwest Territories. He takes delight in spending time with his family and encourages his children, Johanna, Christopher, Danielle and Celeste to develop their minds and newfound hobbies of collecting leaves, flowers, seeds, rocks, computer games and Nintendo cards.

Rebecca McGregor Honorary Director Rebecca McGregor was born in Wikwemikong, Ontario on Manitoulin Island. She has dedicated many years of volunteer work to ensure that the Native community in Sudbury can pursue employment, education and health-related matters in safe, affordable and comfortable homes. Her main concern has always been for the safety and livelihood of the community's most precious asset - it's children. In 1982, Rebecca was a tenant of Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation when she became aware that poor administration was threatening the very existence of the corporation. Rebecca's determination to save Native Housing was the driving force behind rescuing the organization from imminent collapse. Rebecca  served as the President of Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation from 1983 to August 2008. Under her leadership, the corporation grew from 11 housing units in 1982, to 106 units today. Administration of Native People remained solid under her wise, careful guidance. Rebecca is a past Treasurer of the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre in Sudbury and was one of the original volunteers who helped establish minor hockey in Birch Island. Rebecca now lives in Birch Island, a First Nation just off of Manitoulin Island, Ontario. She enjoys speaking Ojibway, her first language. In her spare time, Rebecca helps family and friends with daily tasks, enjoys playing bingo, going to the casino, reading, spending time with her family and the outdoors. In recognition of her dedication to the corporation, Rebecca was made an honorary life-time Director at the August 2008 Annual General Meeting. Although she no longer holds voting or signing authority, Rebecca  will still be active with the corporation by attending Board meetings whenever she is able to do so.   James King-Séguin Non-Voting Secretary James King-Séguin, Executive Director of the corporation, was once again appointed as non-voting Secretary of the corporation for the 2008-2009 year.

 

Anyone interested in becoming a Member of Native People of Sudbury Development Corporation can submit a letter of interest and a detailed resume to the attention of the Board of Directors for consideration. If the application is approved, a $2.00 Membership Fee will be charged. Members are advised of, and can vote at, Annual General Meetings and Special Members' Meetings. They are also mailed a copy of the corporation's quarterly newsletter.

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