Ontario Native Women's Association Indigenous Anti Human Trafficking

Join us for a talk on MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited) Indigenous Anti HumanTrafficking with the Thunder Bay Ontario Native Women's Association.

Speakers: Community Development Managers: Michele Solomon and Collin Graham.

 Friday October 8, 2021 via Zoom 

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://lakeheadu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpfumtqjIvGNHBCAuDVwt7-Q5Wv...

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Michele Solomon is a member and an elected Councillor for Fort William First Nation in her third term of office.  She is a proud mother and grandmother. Michele earned a BA Indigenous Learning degree (Lakehead University) and Social Service Worker Diploma (Confederation College)

One of her many roles as Councillor is to provide guidance and knowledge towards a substantial portfolio area for the First Nation, which includes; Health and Community Services, Finance and Administration, Youth and Social Development.  She is also a board representative with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.  

Michele’s main area of expertise is Mental Health and Addictions stemming from her many years of employment as a Team Leader and Manager at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and Health Centre Manager for White Cedar.  From her background in these areas it has allowed her to obtain a strong knowledge of opioid addiction and treatment.  Michele also has a passion for Restorative Justice and contributed to Nokiiwin’s  Access to Justice Forum for two years. 

Most recently, Michele works as a community Development Manager at the Ontario Native Women’s Association where she also volunteered and was part of the Board of Directors 1988-1993. In her role as Community Development Manager, Michele leads programs focused on Indigenous Women’s Leadership.

Collin Graham is from Ochiichagwe’ Babigo’Ining Ojibway First Nation.  He grew up in Thunder Bay, ON.  Collin has been an advocate in community development for over 20 years. Mr. Graham currently works at the Ontario Native Women’s Association as a Community Development Manager.  His past work includes working in the Sexual Health sector, in the Mental Health sector, as well as working with youth.  Collin is a huge advocate for the youth and empowers the 2S-LGBTQ community through experiential learning.  

Collin obtained his diploma through Confederation College and graduated in the Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Program.  He completed the Life Skills Coaching Human Relations and Family Management Counselling Program in White Rock, British Columbia.  Collin is passionate about deconstructing colonialism at different levels through community, as well as on an individual basis.  “It’s important that we have conversation with ourselves and to look at how we play a part in upholding structures of power.”  Collin is known for using humour as he believes it’s a pillar of resiliency amongst Indigenous communities and be used as a healing tool.