Indigenous Employees' Circle Executive Committee

Biography: Jennifer Ferrante, Anishinaabekwe is a member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan. Jennifer is a teacher, storyteller, comedian, mother and lives and thrives with cerebral palsy. Having completed a graduate degree in Indigenous-Canadian studies she joined the Public Service in 2018, bringing over 15 years of experience building Indigenous-Canadian relationships in areas of health, education, land claims, clean energy, and corrections. As the daughter of an Italian immigrant and a Sixties Scoop Survivor she has lived experience in both Indigenous and Western worldviews and strives for balance between them. Jennifer is passionate about building Indigenous capacity and developing cultural competency.

Biography: Rochelle started working with HRDC as a student through the Native Internship Program in 1997. She is currently the Area Director for Southern Saskatchewan for Citizen Services in the WT Region. She is a member of the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation.

Biography: Rochelle started working with HRDC as a student through the Native Internship Program in 1997. She is currently the Area Director for Southern Saskatchewan for Citizen Services in the WT Region. She is a member of the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation.

Biography: Jenny is Cree from George Gordon's First Nation in Saskatchewan. She has been working with ESDC since 1998 and is currently a Team Leader with Employment Insurance. Her passions are Indigenous issues, women's issues and mental health in the workplace.

Biography: Ernest started working for ESDC as an Acting Senior Program Delivery Officer in 2017, in the Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) program. He is Cree with some French from his Mother's side of the family. He is also a member of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation.

Biography: I’m a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation in Ontario. I’ve worked for the federal government since 2009 and started my career as a student Border Services Officer at CBSA. I was an executive member with the Aboriginal Employees Network at my former department, IRCC. I am also the Indigenous Worker Rep with CEIU local 20937 and the 1st alternate female chair to CEIUs Human Rights Race Relations Committee. I am involved in many indigenous-focused working groups at Service Canada too. In my free time I enjoy playing guitar and singing with my husband and two daughters.

Biography: I am a First Nations woman from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON. I have been with ESDC for two years working as a project services officer. During this time, I have worked on the IITB Indigenous Recruitment and Engagement team and now with the Indigenous, Recruitment, Retention and Advancement Team where I have been fortunate to work closely with Indigenous communities, organizations, and peoples. I currently volunteer in Belleville for the Social Committee, National Indigenous Peoples day & ESDCC Charitable Campaign. In addition, I have years of experience working in my community and with the Indigenous Resource Centre at Loyalist College.

Biography: Dan has been working with ESDC since 2008 and his current position is Senior Citizen Services Specialist. He is a Dokis First Nation member and works out of the Citizen Services Branch in Sudbury, Ontario.

Biography: Maryse is from Atikamekw First Nations and is a Payment Service Officer. She has been with ESDC since June of 2016

Biography: Chantal Des Ruisseaux is Metis, descendent of the Outaouaks. Chantal is a mother of four and a grandmother She is also of Irish descent and finds a balance and extreme pride in both cultures. Chantal is very interested in helping increase the awareness and under-standing of the history, cultures and perspectives of the First Na-tion, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

Biography: Fannie who is of mixed Indigenous Ancestry joined ESDC in May of 1999. She is currently the Project Manager with the Atlantic Mental Health and Wellness team. She is focused on raising awareness about the IEC and Indigenous culture within ESDC.

Biography: I am a First Nations woman (Status) belonging to the Qalipu First Nation Band. I am from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador & Iiving in St. John’s, NL with my partner Doug & Beagle Mags.

Biography: Glenda has worked at ESDC for a total of 9 years and is currently the Special Advisor, Indigenous Coordination and Engagement Division in the Indigenous Affairs Directorate. Glenda is Ojibwe or Anishnabe and her home community is Dokis First Nation in the Robinson Huron Treaty.

Biography: Nadine Solomon is Omushkego (Swampy Cree) from Fort Albany First Nation in northern Ontario. She began working for ESDC since 2015 and is currently a Policy Officer for the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Secretariat in Gatineau.