Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the

SFNS bi-monthly eNewsletter!

Quick Overview

Part 1: Am I Good Enough?

November 14, 2024

Award winning international speaker and best-selling author Dr. Jessica Metcalfe facilitated the Speak Kindly, You’re Listening webinar series, with the first of three sessions starting on November 14, 2024. Part 1 seen 13 participants join the session in which they learned how to understand the root of self-doubt and imposter syndrome with key check points. Together we learned how to navigate your inner voice and the difference between tearing yourself down and owning your success. Participants explored psychological strategies to enhance self-belief and cultivate a healthier work-life balance.

 Upon commencement of the first session, Dr. Jessica Metcalfe scheduled a virtual check-in session on December 3, 2024, to allow participants to share what they have implemented or an opportunity to ask questions.

Part 2: The Intersection Between Success and Burnout

January 23, 2025

The second session seen participants discovering the reality of burnout by recognizing early signs and the causes. In review, participants reviewed how to formulate an individual self-care and stress management plan, and implement strategies to promote a healthy integration of work and life for sustained well-being. 

Each session was recorded and uploaded to a resource webpage https://www.skyl.ca/sfns that was prepared and hosted by Dr. Jessica Metcalfe. In addition, the resource webpage included each session’s learning objectives, worksheet, and content evaluation.

Please consider joining us for Part 3: Speak Kindly, You’re Listening on Thursday, March 6, 2025, as we explore the power of positive self-talk and how to transform our inner voice from critic to allies. To register please contact Shawnah Albert, Mentored Administrative Assistant at mentored.admin@sfns.on.ca or 519-692-5868.

Session 1: Why Cyber Criminals Infiltrate Computer Systems

January 29, 2025

Participants were introduced to Tom Bigos and his extensive background of cybersecurity experience. The first session was an introduction into why we should care about cybersecurity, with shared examples of local data breaches and the extensive repercussions associated with these. Approaches that can help with reducing data breaches include:

• Employee training
•  Encryption
• Incident Response (IR) planning
• Insurance protection
• Data security and protection software

Tom further discussed social engineering which is the art of asking others to do something on your behalf. There are many tactics that can be used in social engineering such as phishing emails, text messages, phone calls, and mail. The threat actors that perform these activities can pose as a colleague, acquaintance, reputable organization, client, or supplier, all in an effort to solicit sensitive information from you.

Password management is always a struggle for any organization, regardless of size. When it comes to passwords here are a few common deficiencies:

·      Too short of a password

·      Common passwords (we all think alike)

·      Passwords are reused across systems and different websites

·      Sharing passwords with others

Do you always connect to free public wi-fi? You may want to reconsider that when you can because we can’t be certain on how well the network is managed. Management is usually out-sourced to the lowest bidder. In addition, attackers can potentially create a lookalike wireless network, and now they control the network. Where possible you may want to consider using your own cell phone data.

How You Can Help

·      Have strong passwords (do not reuse the same password)

·      Protect sensitive data

·      Do not email sensitive data without password protection

·      Enable multi-factor authentication for all online sites

·      Before sending money or gift cards consider talking to your supervisor, client, or supplier, and use the phone number you have on file, and not what you have been provided with by the scammer.

Participants from the session were provided with a wealth of information from the session, which was recorded and uploaded to the SFNS YouTube account for reference. Moving forward we hope you will consider the following words of advice.

“It only takes 1 person, it only takes 1 email, it only takes 1 click, it only takes 1 malicious document.”

Next Sessions:

•  April 23, 2025
•  July 30, 2025
•  October 30, 2025

Please register with Lori Fisher, Executive Assistant by email at exec.assistant@sfns.on.ca. 

SFNS' Trusted Source Program is assisting clients with information relating to applying for registration under the Indian Act and Secured Certificate of Indian Status applications; and can facilitate your SCIS application if you are already a registered individual.

SFNS will support you with:

• Filling out the SCIS application;
• Copying and verifying your documents, negating the need for a guarantor;
• Taking your photograph on-site, following the guidelines for an approved photo; and
• Submitting your application directly to ISC on your behalf.

To learn more about the SFNS Trusted Source Program or to book an appointment, please visit our webpage for more information.

Meet the newest addition to the Post-Secondary Department team!

Boozhoo/Hello,

My name is Portia Shipman and I’m from Bkejwanong Territory (Walpole Island First Nation). I’m one of 8 children and as one of the oldest, I’m often helping with my youngest siblings’ sports schedules. Hockey during the winter and baseball during the summer. When free weekends come around, I’m usually with family and my partner at a round dance or powwow. I’ve been employed at SFNS for many years and I’m excited about this new opportunity, as I join the post-secondary team part-time as a Post-Secondary Counsellor. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect with and support students during their post-secondary journey.

Alternative Financial Aid

PSSSP funding is not intended to be an exhaustive source of income. Students may benefit from seeking other sources of money such as scholarships, bursaries, grants, student loans, or part-time employment.

Below are some options:

Make sure to check with your institution's financial aid for additional opportunities.

Laptop Giveaway for Post-Secondary Students from Oneida Nation of the Thames ONLY

You can also apply through a participating and eligible bank for a loan or student line of credit.

You can also check your institution's job board.

For more information or to download the NVCIT application form, click the button below.

To register for Part 3 of the Speak Kindly, You're Listening, click the button below:

To register for the Cybersecurity Awareness Training, click the button below:

To register for the Email Marketing Tools webinar, click the button below:

To register for the Opioid Use Disorder and Treatment Education Session, click the button below:

To register for the Optimizing Clinic Management session, click the button below:

The Ontario First Nations Reaching Home Funding Initiative (OFNRHFI) empowers First Nation communities by providing funding to First Nations Administrations and/or First Nations organizations to deliver programming that helps prevent and reduce the immediate and lasting effects of homelessness.

The initiative is designed to assist First Nations in their service delivery and social integration projects to support their First Nation members in maintaining safe, stable, and affordable living situations while respecting cultural values and community-led solutions

NEW Deadline for submission: March 7, 2025.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Tim Maness, Technical Services Manager (tmaness@sfns.on.ca).

An introductory look at the history of the residential school system, the legal fallout of the system (the TRC & NCTR), and the ongoing legacy of the system as seen through intergenerational trauma, ongoing systemic oppression, MMWIG2S+, and more.

To register, click the link below:

Sophie Morrow, from Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, is a Master’s level intern (MACP, Yorkville) and a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). She is currently accepting new clients who are youth and adults ages 16+. Sophie offers services online and in person.

Click the button below to get started.

Southern First Nations Secretariat

1-800-668-2609