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Welcome to the June 2025 edition of the
SFNS bi-monthly eNewsletter!
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General Information
Please be advised that the SFNS office will be closed:
National Indigenous Peoples Day - Monday, June 23, 2025
Canada Day - Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Regular office hours will resume the next business day at 8:30 am.
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Welcome to the SFNS team!
Hello everyone! My name is Wesley Ryan, and I am the Trusted Source Assistant working for the Southern First Nations Secretariat (SFNS). I am a member of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and spent most of my professional life working there as a Radio DJ, IT Assistant, and Media Communications Manager.
I graduated from Lambton College in 2002 and completed the Television & Communications Media program at Mohawk College in Hamilton in 2004. I’m passionate about supporting our First Nation communities and helping them succeed in any way I can. I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with SFNS and look forward to supporting all of our member First Nations with the Trusted Source Program. Thank you, SFNS, for the chance to work with a lot of amazing people!
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Congratulations to Wahbuhnung, our new Finance Administrator!
Greetings to our member First Nations, my name is Wahbuhnung Snake from Munsee-Delaware Nation. I am so very blessed and grateful for applying and being selected as the new Finance Administrator for the Southern First Nations Secretariat. I am looking forward to meeting you and offering support services in the near future.
Anushiik, Miigwech, Yaw^ko
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LDCC 6th Annual Golf Tournament:
Registration is now open!
| For more information about the LDCC 6th Annual Golf Tournament, visit our webpage by clicking the link below: |
LDCC 6th Annual Golf Tournament:
Sponsorship Opportunities
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The Southern First Nation Secretariat (SFNS) is proud to coordinate the London District Chiefs Council (LDCC) 6th Annual Golf Tournament - Benefiting Regional Youth Initiatives. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, the 5th Annual Tournament in 2024 was a great success — raising $6,071!
Proceeds from past tournaments have made a real impact. Funds raised before 2024 helped provide financial assistance to 32 youth athletes who represented our region at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Held every four years, NAIG is one of the largest Indigenous youth sporting events in North America, featuring 16 different sports for youth aged 13–19.
To learn more about the 2025 sponsorship opportunities, visit our website for more information.
| | | For more information or to download the NVCIT application form, click the button below. | | | |
SFNS is now assisting clients with:
- Information relating to applying for registration under the Indian Act and Secured Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) Card applications;
- Your SCIS application if you are already a registered individual; and
- Your Registration Under the Indian Act application.
SFNS will support you with:
- Filling out your application (SCIS and Registration Under the Indian Act);
- Copying and verifying your documents, negating the need for a guarantor and sending in your original copies;
- Taking your photograph on-site, following the guidelines for an approved photo; and
- Submitting your application directly to ISC on your behalf.
For the period April-May 2025, we have:
- Attended the Lambton Pow Wow – April 3, 2025 (17 applications completed)
- Attended the St.Clair College (Windsor) Pow Wow – May 3, 2025 (9 applications completed)
- Conducted 15 in-office SCIS appointments
- Conducted 6 in-office Registration Under the Indian Act appointments
This brings our grand total to 673 SCIS applications and 6 Registrations Under the Indian Act applications processed by the Trusted Source program.
| For more information, please visit our website by clicking the button below: | | | |
The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program is designed to help Indigenous people improve their skills and find employment.
ISETP offers seven programs to assist clients:
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For more information, please contact Janice Noah, LDCC ISETP Director at ext. 222.
Click here to learn more about ISETP
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Free Resources
We have created some resources for you. The resources include:
- Resume Template
- Cover Letter Template
- Job Interview Prep Questions
- & More
Get your own copy from our Google Drive
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The Chiefs of Ontario Economic Development sector and Indigenous and Community Engagement (ICE) are pleased to invite you to an upcoming engagement session on the development of a First Nation Employment Framework. This hybrid session will offer an opportunity to share insights, priorities, and experiences that will help shape a First Nation-led approach to employment services.
To learn more, click the button below:
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Congratulations to Candace, our new Post-Secondary Department Manager!
My name is Candace Noah, and I am a proud member of Eelunaapeewi Lahkeewiit First Nation. I’m a mom of two sons who keep me busy with their involvement in sports and school, and I share my home with three dogs who always want to be the centre of attention.
I have recently stepped into the role of Post-Secondary Department Manager, and I’m excited for this new chapter. Prior to this, I worked as a Post-Secondary Counsellor with SFNS for the past six years. It has been a pleasure to support and connect with so many students on their educational journeys. I look forward to continuing to serve both new and continuing students in my new role.
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A message from the Post-Secondary Department
Dear Students,
Happy summer to all our current and future students!
Current Students: This is a friendly reminder that winter 2025 final grades were due 21 days after the term ended. If you haven't done so already, please upload them to the Outcomes Student System. Also, if you've completed your program - congratulations! Don't forget to upload a photo of your certificate or diploma to receive your incentive.
Summer Students: Best wishes for a great term! We’re here to assist if you need anything.
Fall/Winter Students: For those of you who are patiently waiting to hear about your funding applications for fall, we appreciate your understanding and patience. We are diligently working through the list to ensure that no student is overlooked, and that each application is reviewed according to the appropriate priority level.
This year, we received approximately 400 applications for post-secondary funding for the 2025/2026 academic year, which includes both new and returning students. We are committed to supporting you throughout this process.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. Your success in your academic journey is our top priority, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Miigwech, Thank you!
Ian Duckworth, Post-Secondary Counsellor
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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:
| | | Scholarships, Bursaries, Grants, & Awards | | | Post-Secondary Funding Search Databases | | | Post-Secondary Loan Options | | | We are proud of your success as a student and would love to share your story in our eNewsletter! | | | | | | |
Book receipts can be mailed to:
Southern First Nations Secretariat
Post-Secondary Department
22361 Austin Line
Bothwell, ON N0P 1C0
Electronic receipts can be forwarded to your Post-Secondary Counsellor.
| | | Economic & Capacity Development | | |
Regional Cybersecurity Awareness Training – A Webinar Series
with Tom Bigos
Session 2: April 23, 2025 (10:00am – 11:30am)
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On April 23, 2025, SFNS and Centra Cyber Security hosted the second session of their 4-part webinar series, with 14 participants in attendance. Presenter Tom Bigos covered recent developments in artificial intelligence, including how to recognize deepfakes—AI-generated images, videos, or audio with signs like irregular blinking or lip-sync issues.
The session also reviewed tools like Copilot and ChatGPT, with a reminder to avoid sharing personal or company information and to verify AI-generated content. Risks such as data privacy, biased outputs, and unsupervised system access were discussed.
Participants were introduced to privacy-focused browsers like DuckDuckGo and Brave, and learned how “threat actors” impersonate trusted contacts to gain sensitive information—through tactics like urgent emails or online scams. The session offered practical strategies to stay safe online. Please consider joining us for the remaining sessions (please see the flyer below).
| | | To register for the Cybersecurity Awareness Training, click the button below: | | | Webinars, Training, & Funding Opportunities | | |
Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) Grant
The Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) Grant helps public safety organizations fund specialized mental health services offered through Warrior Health for first responders and public safety personnel.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include municipal or regional and First Nations public safety organizations such as fire services, emergency health services and police services.
Deadline: June 27, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
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Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program: Health and Safety Water Stream
The Health and Safety Water Stream will help First Nations build, expand or rehabilitate aging water, wastewater, stormwater, flood and erosion infrastructure. These projects will help preserve the current housing supply and protect communities during extreme weather events.
Eligibility
Indigenous communities in Ontario, defined as Band Councils under the Indian Act (i.e., Indian Act Band Councils).
Deadline: July 10, 2025 at 4:59 p.m. EST
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Ontario Transit Investment Fund
OTIF provides time-limited, application-based funding for up to 5 years to support the start-up and growth of transit services across the province.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are municipalities, non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities.
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Southwestern Ontario Development Fund
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario.
Eligibility
The fund supports business and community economic development projects.
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PAIR Webinar - June 18, 2025
Join the PAIR team at the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business for our upcoming webinar to learn more about CCIB's Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations program!
The program, which aims to integrate economic reconciliation through business, is ideal for any Indigenous or non-Indigenous organization looking to partner or make positive change with an Indigenous organization or community in Canada
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Advancing Value-Added Processing: Unlocking Opportunities with the Grains Innovation Fund
Each summer, Grain Farmers of Ontario offers up to $50,000 in competitive funding for projects that expand the use of Ontario barley, corn, oats, wheat, or soybeans
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OFNEDA's 14th Annual First Nations Economic Advancement Conference
Registration is now open! Enter to WIN an Apple iPad by registering early! The early bird deadline is July 31, 2025. NEW THIS YEAR: Dedicated sessions for Economic Development Officers (EDOs) and Entrepreneurs, tailored to meet your needs.
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Pow Wow Pitch - Deadline Extended
In celebration of their 10 year anniversary, the deadline to submit your pitch has been extended 10 more days. Submit your 1-minute pitch and join a growing community of Indigenous entrepreneurs making waves across Turtle Island.
| | | Futurpreneur empowers aspiring young Indigenous entrepreneurs on their journey to success. The Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP) provides start-up loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, supported by an Indigenous team, offering access to tools and networking. | | |
Cando Youth Connect: Empowerment & Advocacy
Tréchelle Bunn is the first woman and youngest person ever elected Chief of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, and one of the youngest serving Chiefs in Canada. She graduated with distinction from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Indigenous Studies, and is currently pursuing a law degree at Robson Hall, the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. A dedicated advocate for Indigenous rights and youth empowerment, Tréchelle has spoken on provincial, national, and international stages, including at the United Nations. She is the founder of the Reconciliation Run - Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation halfmarathon. A former university hockey player, she also established the first Indigenous studentathlete scholarship at the University of Manitoba. Her leadership and advocacy have been recognized with numerous honours, including the Indspire First Nations Youth Award, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the CBC Manitoba Future 40 Award, and the University of Manitoba Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
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Small Business Information Expo
Join Procurement Assistance Canada - Ontario Region, alongside federal and community partners for the Small Business Information Expo on June 24, 2025 at 4900 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario. The event will equip small businesses with essential insights into navigating federal procurement, accessing key government resources and tools and explore community partner programs and services.
A key focus of the event will be on supporting under-represented and racialized businesses through a variety of federal and community programs and services, along with an interactive tradeshow expo with partners.
Great opportunity to connect and network with key partners in the small business ecosystem.
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Technical Services Department provides assistance in the following areas:
- Housing Inspection - CMHC certified inspections through all phases of construction.
- Computer-Aided Design - offer GIS and AutoCAD conceptual design services.
- Capital Project Assistance - assistance for projects that enhance critical infrastructure.
- Training - opportunities to increase capacity among First Nation staff.
- Reporting - assistance provided with annual reporting related to housing and infrastructure.
| If you have any questions, please get in touch with Tim Maness, Technical Services Manager (tmaness@sfns.on.ca). | | | Technical Services Update | | |
TechNations Conference
OFNTSC's 30th TechNations event was held at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel and Conference Centre on May 12–13, 2025 in Niagara Falls. The theme of the event was Empowering Future Generations. A keynote youth panel focused on igniting careers for Indigenous youth through STEM mentorship. The breakout sessions covered topics such as water, climate change adaptation in construction, and strategies for construction collaboration. OFNTSC also presented their student awards during the conference. Levi Plain and Ryan Parkinson, both members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, were honoured with awards. Levi Plain received the Robert Oliver Memorial Award, while Ryan Parkinson received the Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award.
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OFNTSC Student Award Classic Golf Tournament
On May 14, 2025, OFNTSC held its Student Award Classic Golf Tournament at the Thundering Waters Golf Course in Niagara Falls. Funds raised support OFNTSC's student scholarships, with ten awards given each year to recognize and support the achievements of exceptional First Nation students. SFNS staff member Julie Armstrong was a volunteer for this event, helping at the chipping challenge station for the day. It was great to see several local golfers on the green from the Chippewas of the Thames Public Works department.
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Reaching Home Webinar
OFNTSC is hosting a webinar on June 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. to share information about the Reaching Home Funding Initiative.
Don’t miss this valuable session—it could provide the insights you need to secure funding for your programming ahead of the June 30, 2025 proposal deadline at 4:30 p.m.
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Elders To Teach London Newcomers Indigenous History In New Workshop Series
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Mary-Anne Kechego believes newcomers to Canada have a responsibility as soon as they step foot in the country to make an effort to understand Indigenous history.
That is why Kechego, who is from Oneida Nation of the Thames turtle clan, will be co-leading a new event series at the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (SLNRC) that aims to connect new Londoners with Indigenous communities.
"It's been my experience working with different newcomers over the years that they don't learn a whole lot when they become a Canadian citizen," Kechego said. "They hardly learn any history about Indigenous people in Canada, and certainly not the atrocities that were inflicted upon us over the years."
| | | Sarnia, Local First Nations, Seeking Input On UNDRIP Implementation Plan | |
It’s taken a while, but a summit exploring how Sarnia can implement aspects of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples finally is happening.
The long-pending community conversation about what an implementation plan in Sarnia should look like is set for May 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lambton College Event Centre. “It’s a big relief to be on the cusp of having this community-wide conversation,” said Brian White, one of two city council representatives with the working group formed in 2018.
Plans for the summit during the past seven years have been derailed repeatedly by turnover in the UNDRIP working group and the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. But work has continued in the meantime, on things such as a flag court featuring banners from the three local First Nations, orange crosswalks in the community, as well as relationship building, White said.
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Execulink Rolling Out High-Speed Fibre To
Oneida Nation Of The Thames
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Independent ISP Execulink Telecom announced Wednesday the upcoming launch of fibre internet services offering speeds up to 3 Gbps in Oneida Nation of the Thames, located in southwestern Ontario.
Fibre installations in select areas will begin in early July 2025, with construction continuing through the summer and fall, Execulink said in a press release. Existing wireless customers in Oneida Nation of the Thames will need to speak with Execulink’s sales team to select a new fibre internet plan, Execulink said.
“We are excited to bring our cutting-edge Fibre infrastructure directly to homes and businesses in Oneida Nation of the Thames,” said Execulink CEO Ian Stevens, in the company’s press release. “Our goal is to empower the community with high-speed internet that meets the demands of modern living and working.”
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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.
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AFOA Canada is gathering information to understand what training Indigenous communities need for emergency preparedness and management. We want to support communities in dealing with emergencies like natural disasters, accidents, security issues, and pandemics.
To learn more, click the button below:
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Post-Secondary Education Counsellor
Full-time, Permanent
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Post-Secondary Manager, the Post-Secondary Education Counsellor supports members of SFNS member First Nations considering or pursuing a post-secondary education. The Post-Secondary Education Counsellor engages and shares information with potential future post-secondary students, their families and educational institutions; processes approved applications and maintains student records; provides counselling to students; and advises educational institutions, advocating for students. The Post-Secondary Education Counsellor adheres to the Ontario Native Education Counselling Profession standards.
CLOSING DATE: Friday, June 6, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
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Finance Officer
Full-time, Permanent
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Finance Administrator, the Finance Officer is responsible for the day-to-day bookkeeping, accounting, filing and financial administration for the Southern First Nations Secretariat (SFNS) and associated organizations as required, as well as supporting Member Nations from a financial advisory capacity as directed by the Finance Administrator.
CLOSING DATE: Friday, June 20, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
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ISETP Administrative Assistant
Full-time, Permanent
POSITION SUMMARY:
The ISETP Administrative Assistant is responsible for providing administrative support and performing a wide range of financial duties for the ISETP department. This is an administrative position requiring a high degree of organization, multitasking, and priority setting in a confidential environment.
CLOSING DATE: Friday, June 20, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
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Mentored Administrative Assistant - IA
Full-time, Contract
- Eligible participants must be aged 18 to 30 inclusively, and in receipt of Ontario Works financial assistance (supporting documentation and/or Case Manager contact details will be required).
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under direct supervision of the Executive Assistant, the Mentored Administrative Assistant will be responsible for assisting with daily administrative duties of the Administration department.
CLOSING DATE: Friday, June 27, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
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Southern First Nations Secretariat
22361 Austlin Line
Bothwell, ON N0P 1C0
1-800-668-2609
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