Council of Elders

John Donovan has been a resident of Thompson since 1976. He was born in Timmins, Ont. and grew up in North Bay before coming to Northern Manitoba, having completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education. His working life in Thompson began at RD Parker Collegiate where he was first employed as a counsellor.

John has always had a passion for working with kids, families and those affected by addictions. Much of his counselling and programming was centred around addictions issues and those involved in addictions. He began the Student Match program, which paired high school students like Big Brothers Big Sisters with elementary kids who were from addiction-affected families. Student Match led to his establishing Peer Counselling and S.O.S., which was Students Offering Support. These programs led to the advent of the Hug-Ins in the mid ’80s which continued to the mid ’90s with as many as 300 teenagers at times spending a weekend at the high school doing wellness activities and learning about problems related to substance use while developing coping, student support and wellness skills in an environment of trust and caring.

He then went on to become a department head of student services and a vice-principal at the high school before retiring from education in 2002, after 26 years, and moving into a new career with AFM. In addition to developing a new community-based and residential treatment program which eventually led to the establishment of the Eaglewood Treatment Centre on Princeton Drive in 2010. Donovan was active in a number of other initiatives involving people with addictions and the homeless, working with the homeless shelter board, chairing the Thompson Community Advisory Board and the Project Northern Doorway committee which was instrumental in the creation of the Phoenix House transition home for men living in sobriety run by Men Are Part of the Solution, and the damp house facility at 95 Cree Rd. for chronically homeless people.  John retired from AFM in 2014 but still keeps busy in the community doing youth addictions assessments, providing Brandon University student teacher placement practicum supervision and grand parenting 15 grandkids!

Knowing that there’s still work to be done, there’s still passion to be shared, and he is willing to be at the table. John is committed to the values of UCN and passionate about the role of Elders in supporting the goals of education and continuing in serving the youth of the North.

Tanisi Kitiyatisak! My spirit name is "Mikisew Potahchigun lskwew" (Eagle Whistle Woman), and I am from the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

In 1982, I graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba. In 2009, I received a Master of Education in Educational Administration from the UM as well. From 1982-2004, my life was as a teacher, teaching various grades in various school systems in Manitoba: Nisichawayasihk, Thompson, and Winnipeg. Then, from 2005-2023, my life as an Educational Administrator began. I was an elementary school Vice Principal for 7 years, a high school Principal for 3 years, and then became the Director of Education for the Nisichawayasi Nehetho Culture and Education Authority (NNCEA) for 7 years. On June 30th, 2023, I officially retired from the NNCEA, which is a First Nations Control of First Nations Education (FNCFNE) system. In 1990-1992, I was an elected school board member for the Nelson House Education Authority. In 1996-98, I was an elected NCN Band Councillor with portfolios in Justice, Health, Education, Child Welfare, and Women. During my career span, I've worked with many incredible students, parents, educators, and leaders. I've had many wonderful opportunities/experiences! I've been very blessed! I am thankful for absolutely everything! Although retired, I still want to reciprocate (give back what I've been given) and contribute!

Margaret Head-Steppan/White Bear Woman Cultural Advisor/Elder with her nicapin works for the Flin Flon Friendship Center and the Flin Flon School Division as the in-house Elder and Cultural Advisor focusing her efforts on cultural community connections. Margaret has had the good fortune of working with all ages of people within the northern communities.

Margaret is a certified Life Skills Coach with many years of experience in the Traditional Holistic methods that are specifically designed to address the needs of the First Nation’s people by using Traditional Holistic methods that are specifically designed to address the needs of the First Nation’s people by using Traditional First Nation Perspective and Holistic Teaching Model of the Medicine Wheel.

This teaching model will address and broaden the context of the First Nations Traditional Teaching and the old ways of life for the First Nations Cree people and how to maintain living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. For the past 35 years, Margaret has walked the Good Red Road and has journey into learning traditional healing methods of the old ways of the Cree People.

The 4 Sacred medicines are used in everyday life and in our ceremonies. All of them can be used to smudge with, through sage, cedar, and sweet grass also have many other uses.

For the Cree Elders say that the Spirits like the aroma produced when burning tobacco and the other medicines. Also, they are used to reflect and enhance the Tradition Belief System and Values of the Cree people.

Margaret’s goal is to continue working towards the truth and reconciliation that will create balance and harmony for the next 7 generations.

Tim Mendel was born in Pembina Colony, MB and spent the first 10 years of his life living on a Hutterite Colony. His family left the colony and located to Lowe Farm Manitoba. 

Upon completing his high school graduation from Morris Collegiate he enrolled in the University of Winnipeg’s Education Program. He graduated with a B.Ed. Degree in Early Years Education. He also has a B.A Degree in Psychology from the University of Manitoba and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate from the University of Manitoba. In addition to his formal degrees, he also has a number of other professional certificates. 

Tim began his teaching career in Brochet, MB, a fly in Community in Northern Manitoba. During his 30+ years of working in the field of Education he has held a number of different positions: Superintendent, Principal, Human Resource Director, Director of Student Services, and Teacher at the Early, Middle, and Senior Years. 

Tim is currently retired and living in Swan River Manitoba. He is a school trustee of the Swan River School Division and a Board Member of the local Swan Valley Coop.

Martha Spence is a Cree woman from Spilt Lake, MB (Tataskweyak).  She has been a member of the UCN Council of Elders for over 10 years. She is a widow and was married for 58 years. She had 10 children, with six children living (3 sons/3 daughters).  She is a grandma of 29 grandchildren and a great-grandma of 34!

Martha attended school to grade 2 ½. She taught herself to read and write, and she wanted to read and write in English. In her later years, she returned to school. She went to university from 1992 to 1996 where she became a minister. She and another male were the only two Indigenous students in their class. They were appreciated, as the others loved hearing about and learning about their culture. Martha has also taken a lot of other courses, one being Applied Counselling.

Martha loves working, looking after her family, being involved with UCN and the Council of Elders, and she loves to travel when she is able to.

Martha offers teachings in Life Skills and the Seven Teachings. She doesn’t have one specific teaching as “we all have our own teachings”.

Martha shared that she has a better life with other people. “As an Elder, others must feel comfortable with you to be able to share what’s going on with them”.

Tommy Weenusk was born in a log cabin, delivered by his grandmother, in Oxford House, MB.  He attended school in Oxford House from Beginner (this is what it was called) to Grade 8.  He continued his Grade 9 in Stonewall, MB, and completed his GED Test, Grade 12 Equivalent.

Tommy worked for Bunibonibee Cree Nation as a Clerk, Administrator, Manager, Chief and Councilor.  He also worked for the Federal Government in Medical Services for two years.

Tommy is currently enjoying his involvement with the UCN Council of Elders.

Tansi, my name is Darlene Osborne. I was born and raised in Norway House, where I’ve worked as an educator for nearly 30 years and as a band councillor for 12 years. I am married and have raised one daughter and one son. We are blessed with beautiful grandchildren.

I am semi-retired, and I teach the Cree Language to the youth and parents on weekends. I believe that my past work, my experience, my love, and passion have helped me make a huge impact in the lives of others. I respect and honour my parents for teaching me to speak my language. I truly stand strong to protect, preserve, promote & practice the Cree Language. I am one of the Knowledge Keepers of our Language. Currently, I am involved with Kehteyak, the NHCN Elder’s Advisory Group on C-24, continuing their work of ensuring the scope and terms of the written version of NHCN’s Family Law encompasses our inherent rights and practices concerning our children and families. I am an outspoken advocate for the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Men, Boys, and Two-Spirited, and seeking for justice. 

Education is very important to me because it helps us learn and grow, and it can lead to a better quality of life. I have dedicated my career and life to educating our youth in the importance of education and never giving up hope. The joy of learning comes from the heart, I love learning new things every day.
Ekosani. Kinanaskomitinawow.

Stella Neff is a Cree Elder from the Misipawistik Cree Nation, Grand Rapids, MB. Stella was born on May 19, 1944, and was raised in Grand Rapids. Stella worked as a practical nurse at Winnipeg General Hospital and the Manitoba Rehabilitation Hospital. She attended Brandon University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Education in Educational Administration. Stella received a Principal’s Certificate from the Department of Education.

Stella is currently retired, having worked in many areas of education that included English Language Enrichment Consultant (Swan Valley School Division), Principal, Cree Language Coordinator, and classroom teacher at most levels (Easterville). Stella also worked at Brandon University as a Student Coordinator for the PENT program. She has served on many committees and boards including the Swan River Indian and Métis Friendship Center, Association for Community Living, Chair of the Fetal Alcohol/Fetal Effects Steering Committee, Parkland Mental Health Council, and the Manitoba Teacher’s Society for Equality in Education.

Currently, Stella is a member of the Premier's Advisory Council on Poverty, Education, and Citizenship. Stella has also served as Chair for the UCN Council of Elders. She continues to work at Grand Rapids as an Elder Advisor.