Board

Jason Thompson is a proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band. He was born and raised in Lake Helen Reserve community until he moved away for work, in Ear Falls and Thunder Bay. Jason is a graduate of Confederation College in Thunder Bay, with a degree in Human Resource Management, and a founding board member of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association. Jason currently works at Superior Strategies Supply and Service, a locally owned business founded and operated by himself. Jason has a passion for health and safety, and has taken part in various health and safety courses over the years.

Diane Walker is the CEO of Children’s Centre Thunder Bay (CCTB). She has worked for CCTB in a variety of management roles since 1989. Diane is a non-Indigenous person who grew up in a small community outside of Hamilton, Ontario. She moved to Thunder Bay in 1979 to attend Lakehead University and chose to remain after she finished her education. Diane has many years of experience working in children’s services, education and leadership. Her current interests include social justice, governance structures and continuous quality improvement. Diane is most content when she is learning, contributing to positive change, enjoying nature and spending time with family and her two poodles – Cambria and Oliver. In response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations and in the spirit of reconciliation, Shkoday changed our bylaws in 2019 to include a limited number of non-Indigenous people as Directors. Shkoday is happy to welcome Diane to our Board of Directors for 2020 and beyond.

Koral Hamilton is a Métis single mother of two with historical nations being Sturgeon Lake First Nation in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba Métis Federation. Koral started her education journey at Confederation College where she received multiple associates degrees including General Business, International Business and Trade and a postgraduate certificate in International Business Management. Koral took a break to birth and raise two beautiful children and then returned to Lakehead University in 2010 to receive an HBA in Psychology and Gerontology and later completed a double Masters of Arts in Social Justice and Gender and Women’s Studies with a specialized focus on Indigenous issues. In 2023 Koral began her own advocacy/consulting business in legal and human rights issues. She has been working in project management and grant writing since graduating in 2022. She currently works for Feathers of Hope and Fort William First Nation.

Betty is of Ojibway and Irish descent and is a member of the Anishinabek Nation. Her home community is Lake Helen First Nation. She was given her Spirit Name in ceremony “Minoweginiwaa” which, when translated means “Good Sounding Woman”. Betty is a graduate of Confederation College and Lakehead University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and an Honours Bachelor of Social Work Degree. Her forty-year career began with service to Canada in the Canadian Armed Forces. Over the years she was employed in numerous leadership and governance roles for a variety of Federal, Provincial and Community organizations. Betty also served as a member of Thunder Bay City Council for 21 years (1982-2003) and only recently retired with the closure of the Ontario Child Advocates Office. She is a passionate advocate and has dedicated her life and work in service to others.

Joseph is a proud member from Muskrat Dam First Nation in Treaty Nine Territory, and he comes from the wolf clan. With 20 years of experience in the Justice system and an MA in Social Justice from Lakehead University, Joseph combines his professional expertise with his traditional practices.

He actively participates in traditional harvesting from the land, maintaining that deep connection to his culture and the land. Joseph's combination of academic expertise and professional experience has been contributing to the board's vision.

Joseph served on multiple boards, including the Sierra Club of Canada, Ontario Chapter, where he served for four years in multiple capacities. He views Shkoday’s children as the strongest reason to secure a brighter future for them.

Melissa Hanlon is a proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band, born in Nipigon and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she currently resides. She is raising her children while continuing to reconnect with her culture, traditions, and community. Melissa works at Wataynikaneyap Power as an Executive Assistant and Human Resources professional. She previously worked at Shkoday Abinojiiwak Obimiwedoon and spent over 10 years in the banking sector before returning to school. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources from Lakehead University. Melissa currently serves as a Board Member with Beendigen and is committed to supporting Indigenous women, families, and community well being through respectful governance and service. Outside of work, she has a growing interest in cultural teachings and traditions and believes strongly in lifelong learning, reflection, and giving back to community. These personal values inform her approach to governance and building a strong foundation for future generations.

Alice Chattaway is a young Métis woman, passionate about supporting those who feel unheard, and I am committed to reconnecting with my Indigenous identity through learning from and listening to Elders. I began volunteering with Feathers of Hope in 2025, where I gained the confidence to use my voice and learned a lot from residential school Survivors. I’m currently working at Feathers of Hope as the Youth Team Lead, and I’m a part owner of the Baycroft Foundation, a non-profit that helps people experiencing homelessness access shelter, education, and employment.

Morning Star is an Anishinaabekwe from Treaty #3 territory, a proud mother of four, jingle dress dancer, and the founder of Morning Star Education & Research. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous education, wholistic wellness, and self-determination. As a PhD student in the Educational Studies program at Lakehead University, she specializes in the Social, Cultural, and Political contexts of education, centering Anishinaabeg ways of knowing, being, and doing. Her lived experiences as a student, mother, and educator shape her dedication to building education systems that support language and cultural continuity for future generations. She finds grounding and balance in time spent with family on the land - hiking, hunting, fishing and cheering on her children through every sports season.