Board & Staff
Board of Directors
Roslynn is of Mohawk and English descent who currently resides in Southern Ontario, Niagara region. She is currently the Program Administrator for the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (S.O.A.D.I.), a position she has held for the past 7 years. Prior to that she was a front line worker in diabetes prevention for Aboriginal people for 5 years. She has sat on many Boards at the local, provincial and national level. She is dedicated to eradicating the disease of diabetes and continues to motivate and educate.
Darlene Hall, Vice-Chairperson
Darlene Hall is a Métis originally from The Pas, Manitoba and has one grown son. Darlene moved to Winnipeg in 1983 to attend the University of Manitoba. Darlene graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Social Work. Prior to attending university Darlene attained a certificate in CBOM accounting through Keewatin Community College in The Pas and worked in administration and office management for several years. After graduating from university, Darlene worked in child welfare for five years, and then ran an Aboriginal Shelter for Abused Women for three years.
Darlene has been employed by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg Inc. since January 05, 1995. Darlene’s first position with the Centre was as Manager of the Abinotci program. Darlene became Director of Children’s Programs in 1996 and was made Director of Programs in July of 1997. Darlene became Executive Director of Aboriginal Health & Wellness in July of 1998.
Wendy is a 35 year old Mi’gmaq/Norwegian woman from New Brunswick. She resides just outside Fredericton New Brunswick in a place called Noonan with her partner and her two sons aged 14 and 2.5 years old. She has been involved with her Community Diabetes Program on an advisory level for 5 years. Diabetes is prominent in her family line and she takes a proactive role in promoting healthy living as well as being involved in anything that enables her to contribute to positive approaches and education on this very serious disease.
Troy is a Mi’kmaq, originally from the Nova Scotia community of Membertou. He is currently employed with The University College of the North as Instructor with the Business Administration Program at the Thompson Campus in northern Manitoba.
He has had over 10 years experience working with and for Aboriginal communities and organizations across Canada. He believes the effect of diabetes is a national problem of eminent proportions, requiring immediate actions to lessen harmful effects to grassroots people both on and off reserve.
His personal concern is direct, with family members, friends and relatives suffering the dreadful effects of such an insidious disease. Amputations, blindness, insulin dependence, and even death are but a few examples of situations he has encountered first hand. Therefore, it is of great personal satisfaction to him to help address potential solutions and answers to this plague affecting Aboriginal people.
Catherine Turner, Past Chairperson
Catherine Turner is Métis, originally from Manitoba, residing in Courtenay, BC, since 1991. She has been involved in health promotion programs for Aboriginal people at the community and national levels. She brings many years of experience related to diabetes and Aboriginal people. In addition to studying at the University of Manitoba and North Island College, Catherine is currently completing her 3rd year toward a BA in Professional Communication at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. She is committed to reducing health disparities experienced by Aboriginal people.
Catherine is married to Brian and has two lovely grown children.
Erin Rowsell originates from Newfoundland but has spent most of her life between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Nutrition from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS. Her honours work included taking a look at beverage consumption in children living in Eskasoni First Nation, NS. After her internship, she worked with public health in New Brunswick with a focus on prenatal nutrition. Erin moved to Vancouver Island in the spring of 2007 for a position with Aboriginal Health with the Vancouver Island Health Authority, where she is now a food security dietitian. She works with both rural and urban Aboriginal people from Central and North Vancouver Island. She focuses on ways for communities to access nutritious foods and is involved with community gardens, community kitchens and also provides nutrition information whenever requested.
Staff
Dina Bruyere, Executive Director
Dina is an Ojibwe from Sagkeeng First Nation which is located within Treaty 1 and Treaty 3 territories in southern Manitoba. She graduated from high school in Sagkeeng and completed her B.A. at the University of Winnipeg. She was a post secondary education counsellor for Sagkeeng until 1997 when she began law school. After completing law school she articled with the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba and has since worked for the Southern Chiefs Organization (of Manitoba) and Sagkeeng. She also taught commercial law for the University of Manitoba Distance Education, and did contract work for the Public Interest Law Centre, gathering community-based evidence to support a claim of Aboriginal title by Sagkeeng First Nation to traditional territory north of the Winnipeg River. She was most recently employed by Manitoba Justice in the criminal law division.
Diabetes has tremendous personal meaning to Dina as she has lost her mother, stepfather, grandmother and uncle to diabetes related complications as well as having many family members currently living with the disease.
Dina lives in Winnipeg with her three sons.
Theresa Bruyere, Project Assistant
Theresa is of Ojibwe descent and lives in Winnipeg, MB with her children. Her roots embedded in Sagkeeng First Nation. Theresa has obtained the Business Administration Diploma with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Theresa has been previously employed by many successful organizations. She has gained valuable experience from her many roles. She is optimistic about her new role as Project Assistant. She is committed to working together with the NADA Board of Directors, staff and members in a culturally respectful manner.
Theresa realizes that diabetes is foreign to her traditional culture and way of life. She strongly believes that diabetes management and continual health promotion are crucial for Aboriginal People. While prevention be the focus for future generations.
Alisher Kabildjanov, Project Assistant
Alisher Kabildjanov has been working with many well-known NGOs internationally. Having acquired a BA in English and Writing, he has reported from war zones while working within the UN system, and is working on his Master’s in International Journalism and Communications. Alisher has also served in health projects and has a passion to work with people in need with a penchant for advocacy for such people. Alisher’s family members in Canada are affected with diabetes. Therefore, he is very passionate about his work at NADA. Alisher is married to a Cree woman from Ontario and they have one son.