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Indigenous Connections » Indigenous Student Advisors

Indigenous Student Advisors

 
Here are the Indigenous Student Advisors for District School Board Ontario North East:
Jennifer Henderson
Indigenous Student Advisor - Timmins High & Vocational School
 
Jennifer grew up in Timmins, Ontario.  Her family originates from Michipicoten First Nation.  Jennifer is a graduate of Lakehead University where she obtained degrees in Sociology and Native Canadian Literature.  Jennifer identifies herself as an urban Ojibway who is avidly learning about her culture.  Jennifer is passionate about helping and motivating youth on their educational journey.
 
 
Desmond O'Connor
Indigenous Student Advisor - ES Cochrane High School
 
Desmond is Cree from Fort Albany First Nation. He lived in Moosonee until age 4, moving to the community of Cochrane to allow his older brother to attend École Secondaire Cochrane High School. Desmond is a graduate of ESCHS and of Canadore College in the Human Resources program. Desmond has worked with young people most of his working career and does coaching in his spare time. Desmond identifies himself as an urban Aboriginal exploring and learning about his culture. Desmond is active in the community of Cochrane, volunteering and sitting on many different boards such as North Cochrane Addiction Services and Ininew Friendship Centre. Desmond has worked for District School Board Ontario North since 2010 serving the students in the Northern region.
 
Caitlin Campbell
Indigenous Student Advisor - Timiskaming District SS
 
Caitlin is Ojibwe from Nipissing First Nation. Caitlin enjoys giving back to her community and working for the betterment of others. She does so as a Volunteer Firefighter with Temiskaming Shores Fire Department. Caitlin appreciates nature, hunting and fishing. In her role of Indigenous Student Advisor, Caitlin aims to connect youth with their Indigenous culture and encourages them to become accountable role models within their communities. 
 
 
 
Holly Lalande
Indigenous Support Advisor - Kapuskasing DHS
 
Holly was born and raised in Kapuskasing. She is a graduate of Mohawk College where she obtained an Educational Support diploma. Holly enjoys taking part in outdoors activities and being involved within her community. Since working with the District School Board Ontario North East in 2016, Holly has found her true passion of working with young adults. She strives to motivate her students to reach their full potential.
 
 
Tiffany Elliot
Indigenous Student Advisor - JH Kennedy Public School
 
Tiffany was born and raised in Matheson and attended Northern College. With her passion for children, she knew working with children is what she wanted to do. Her previous experience in a school setting led to her position as Indigenous student advisor at Joseph H Kennedy Public School in Matheson. She eagerly motivates her students every day and continues to encourage each and every one of them to push to their full potential.
 
 
Amanda Lessard
Indigenous Student Advisor - Kirkland Lake DCS
 
Amanda is from Orillia, and moved to the Timmins area in 2010. While in high school she developed a passion for helping others and pursued multiple co-op placements in the school setting. She then continued her post secondary education at Northern College where she obtained an Educational Assistant diploma. Amanda is excited to work with the youth and to be a positive role model. She is very excited to support student learning in a culturally safe setting that allows for new opportunities for youth to grow, culturally, individually and academically.
 
 
Dina Festarini
Indigenous Student Advisor - Iroquois Falls SS
 
Dina Festarini was born and raised in Iroquois Falls. She is a mother and very involved in local community organizations. She is a graduate of Northern College where she obtained a diploma in Community Economic and Social Development. Her previous work experience within the Board has allowed her to develop a great rapport with students and discover her passion for supporting their academic success. She is very excited to work directly with students at Iroquois Falls Secondary School to facilitate support and encourage academic engagement by providing the tools and resources necessary to allow them to reach their educational goals.  
 
 
Claudette Paul
Indigenous Student Advisor - JH Kennedy Public School (Matheson)
 
Claudette is a proud Algonquin/Cree mother and grandmother from the St-Maurice, Quebec area.  She is a traditional dancer and is proud of the teachings she offers her students at JHK. She works closely with teachers in the school and is excited for the students to have increased access to knowledge about the rich history and culture.
 
 
Kara Marks
System Indigenous Student Advisor - Northern and Central Regions
 
Kara was born and raised in Timmins. She is a graduate of Western University where she obtained her degree focused in Thanatology and Disabilities Studies. She then continued her education at Algoma University where she obtained her Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree. Kara found her passion with working with students in her previous work with youth at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre. She then focused her past education, experiences, and her dedication to support her students at DSB1. She started as the Indigenous Student Advisor at Cochrane Public School and has now transitioned to cover nine schools within the northern and central area of the school board.  
 
 
Sam Scheck
System Indigenous Student Advisor - Northern and Central Regions
 
Sam is Ojibwe and was born and raised in Elliot Lake, Ontario.  His family originates from Wiikwemkoong and Garden River First Nations. Sam is a graduate from the University of Ottawa where he earned a degree in Psychology.  He then attended Canadore College and graduated from the Police Foundations program.
 
In 2006, Sam began his policing career with the Timmins Police Service.  After 13 years, he left his role as a police officer as he wanted to pursue a career that had a more positive impact within the Indigenous Community. Sam is excited for this new role and wants to instill confidence within students to help them achieve their future goals.
 
 
Mackenzie Young
Indigenous Student Advisor
 
Mackenzie Young was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario and is a proud member of the Mattagami First Nation. She identifies as First Nation and seeks to learn as much about her culture. She is a graduate of Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology where she obtained her Post-Secondary Diploma in the Social Service Worker Program. Mackenzie has always been interested in giving back to her community through helping Indigenous populations. She has always been passionate about helping her community overcome the many barriers they may face and ultimately reach their goals. As someone who has faced many challenges in her own education, Mackenzie strives to use her own experiences to show that with dedication and resilience, anyone can be successful. Mackenzie values having culturally safe spaces in the education setting and actively promotes education for both students and staff on Indigenous issues, culture, and identity.