Ogimaawabiitong Celebrates in WON at 2024 AGM

Caption: Chief Operating Officer Gillian Lunny (left) and Executive Director Jennifer Dreaver (right) host the 2023-2024 AGM for Ogimaawabiitong

Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) is honoured and thankful to celebrate with community leadership, members, Chiefs, Elders, Youth Council members, and our staff during our 2023-2024 Annual General Meeting.

Ogimaawabiitong’s Annual General Meeting is an annual ceremony and gathering that allows staff members, community members, and leadership to come together and reflect on the important work that KCA is doing for our communities.

“This is a really good occasion,” explains Executive Director Jennifer Dreaver. This is a positive, and happy occasion to come together. Our Annual General Meeting is a function we perform as a part of Ogimaawabiitong every year, but it serves to me a deeper function – it’s a way to come home, to come back to ourselves each year.”

“When we think about how fast we move day-to-day, and how much advancement for our organization and all of us, we cover so much ground to cover gaps, needs, and inequities,” Dreaver adds. “There’s so much work in Ogimaawabiitong. When we go back and reflect, it’s very important that we do that.”

Hosted by Wauzhushk Onigum, Chief Chris Skead welcomed everyone to the CDC building and helped to open the ceremony alongside the Wauzhushk Onigum Drum, KCA’s Binesi Waziswon Drum, our Grandmother Drum Shawanoong Banaise’seek and our drummers, with opening prayers from Elder Allan White. KCA Youth Council members Shy Loon, Shy Cobiness, Lexx Paul, Harmony Scott, and Kyra/Stephen Paypom were also supporting.

Chiefs Gary Tom of Naotkamegwanning, Darlene Comegan of Northwest Angle #33, Waylon Scott of Wabaseemoong, and Sherry Ackabee of Grassy Narrows were also in attendance, with local Elders Agnes Paul, Andy White, Gwen Redsky, Luanne Kavanaugh, George Land, and Ida Skead also supporting.

After an introduction from KCA Executive Director Jennifer Dreaver, program directors were able to highlight the success and growth of their programs throughout the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which highlighted Ogimaawabiitong’s continued strength and growth in our partner communities.

“I want to thank each and every one of you,” said Wauzhushk Onigum Chief and KCA Secretary-Treasurer, Chief Skead. “As staff, you know best on what kind of work you do in our communities and the impact that you have. I want to thank you on behalf of my community and on behalf of our council.”

“I’m very proud of the organization and I’m very proud of each and every one of you,” adds Chief Skead. “It’s challenging times within our communities. And I know we all try our best to heal as people. Anishinaabe and non-Anishinaabe. That’s reconciliation. To share, and to have that important dialogue amongst us.”

After a great lunch provided by Wauzhushk Onigum community members, Chief Operating Officer Gillian Lunny introduced our new Staff Recognition Program – with certificates recognizing 5, 10, 15, and 20+ years of service with the organization. Celebrated staff were then able to join together for honour and giveaway songs with our drummers.

Ogimaawabiitong sends a huge Miigwetch to Wauzhusk Onigum for hosting such a special gathering, our leadership and Elders for guiding us on our journeys forward, and to our staff for continuing to go above and beyond for our communities and your clients.

We’d also like to send a Miigwetch to the community staff for a wonderful lunch, WOLFE Sound for producing the gathering, and to the Communications team for preparing the 2023-2024 AGM Report.

We’ll see you again next year!

2023-2024 Recognition of Service:

Board of Directors – 10 Years:
Chief Chris Skead
Chief Lorraine Cobiness
Chief Howard Kabestra

5 Years:
Marion Wapioke
Larry Taylor
Garry Tang
Patrice Seymour
Merlin Sandy
Travis Pemmican
Melissa Payne
Kathy Parenteau
Martina Ogemah
Donna Mior
Alannah Mendowegan
Lucille McKenzie
Vanessa Lucky
Stephanie Rae Landon
Charles Kittson
LorriAnne Gilbertson
Jackie Franck
Amanda Fobister
Jennifer Dreaver
Kerril Davidson-Hunt
Melanie Copenace
Reno Cameron
Agnes Burgos
Billy Boucher
Abby Bennett
Joel Ames