COW - APPA Member Biographies; Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples - June 10, 2021
Margaret Dawn Anderson: ISG, Northwest Territories
Mary Coyle: ISG, Nova Scotia – Antigonish
Marty Deacon: ISG, Ontario – Waterloo Region
Carolyn Stewart Olsen: C, New Brunswick
Kim Pate: ISG, Ontario
Michael L. MacDonald: C, Nova Scotia – Cape Breton
Daniel Christmas: ISG, Nova Scotia
Brian Francis: PSG, Prince Edward Island
Patti LaBoucane-Benson: Non-Affiliated, Alberta
Josée Forest-Niesing: ISG, Ontario
Dennis Glen Patterson: C, Nunavut
Scott Tannas: CSG, Alberta
Senator Margaret Dawn Anderson: PSG, Northwest Territories (Northwest Territories), Appointed: December 2018
Topics of Interest
- Arctic, Inuit & Indigenous Affairs
- Environment and Natural Resources
- Restorative Justice
- Domestic Violence
- Anti-racism
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Anderson is the sponsor for Bill C-8. Her main topics of interest are Arctic, Inuit, and Indigenous affairs. Senator Anderson has stated her views on anti-racism such as advancing entrepreneurship in indigenous and racialized communities in Canada, systemic barriers, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the justice and child and family services systems. Most of Senator Anderson’s interventions touch on Indigenous affairs such as Indigenous self-governance, violence against Indigenous women, and Indigenous peoples in Canada’s North.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Anderson does not appear to have any social media.
Biography
Background
- Born and raised in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories.
- Inuvialuk and mother of five.
Education and Career
- Bachelor of Child & Youth Care from the University of Victoria.
- Pursuing a MA of Indigenous Governance from the University of Victoria.
- More than 20 years of experience as a public servant, working with communities and Indigenous peoples across the Northwest Territories.
- Occupied many roles within the Government of Northwest territories, Department of Justice.
- Developed, implemented and facilitated the Planning Action Responsibly toward Non-violent Empowered Relationships (PARTNER) program, a northern-based program for low to medium risk domestic violence offenders that is a central component to the NWT Domestic Violence Options (DVTO) Court.
- Two-time recipient of the territorial Premier’s Award for Excellence for her leadership and commitment to improving her community.
Daniel Christmas: ISG, Nova Scotia, Appointed: December 2016
Topics of Interest
- Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Justice
- Environmental Issues
- Human Rights
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Christmas has been a member of the Senate of Canada since December 2016. Most recently, Senator Christmas has shown support for an act that would enable Indigenous communities to affirm and recognize jurisdiction over child and family services. Senator Christmas has also recently sponsored Bill C-68 which amended the Fisheries Act to require the Minister to consider any adverse effects that the decision may have on Indigenous peoples. He stated: “Honourable colleagues, I want to remind you that I am here to be an independent voice for Nova Scotia and, in particular, the Mi’kmaq nation. I have no political affiliation, but I must agree with Minister Wilkinson’s contention that it’s our collective responsibility to exercise our stewardship of Canada’s fisheries and the habitat on which they rely with care in a way that is practical, reasonable and sustainable.”
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Christmas does have a Twitter account but his tweets are only visible to his followers.
Press release & News
In the news, Senator Christmas often gives statements on behalf of the Mi’kmaw community and provides commentary on issues affecting Indigenous peoples.
Biography
Background
- First Mi’kmaw senator to be appointed to the Senate of Canada.
Education & Career
- Honorary Doctor of Laws from Dalhousie University in 2005.
- Honorary diploma from Nova Scotia Community College.
- Various leadership positions in the Mi’kmaw Nation of Nova Scotia.
- Five Years as Band Manager for the Community of Membertou then worked for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians for 15 years - the last 10 as its Director.
Mary Coyle: ISG, Nova Scotia – Antigonish, Appointed: December 2017
Topics of Interest
- Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Women’s leadership & Gender Equality
- Environmental Issues
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Coyle has been a member of the Senate of Canada since December 2017. Senator Coyle has shown support for Bill C-15 to incorporate UNDRIP into domestic law. Senator Coyle has shown her support for the creation of the Senate special committee on racism stating: “Honourable colleagues, the crises caused by colonialism, discrimination, exploitation and the related racism have been with us for centuries. In fact, our mainstream society has been benefiting from these crises. Our country was built on these crises.” Senator Coyle has also supported the revival of the special committee on the Arctic stressing the importance of Canada’s North and their rights to the “same services, opportunities and standards of living enjoyed by other Canadians.” Senator Coyle also has special interests in environmental issues such as carbon emissions.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Coyle has been active on twitter sharing her thoughts on current Indigenous issues, the fishery conflict in Nova Scotia, and issues affecting the Nova Scotian community. She also frequently retweets tweets pertaining to the environment.
Biography
Education & Career
- Diploma in French language from Université de Besançon in France.
- Bachelor of Arts in languages and Literature with a major in French and a minor in Spanish from the University of Guelph.
- After working for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as a Cuso International cooperant in Botswana, she earned a Master of Arts in Rural Planning and Development at the University of Guelph.
- Worked as a rural development advisor in Indonesia and later supported two State Islamic Universities develop their community engagement strategies.
- Established the First Peoples Fund to provide micro loans to First Nations and Métis communities in Canada.
- Distinguished career in the post-secondary education and non-profit sectors, with a focus on international and local development.
- Serving as Vice President and Director of the St-Francis Xavier University’s Coady International Institute, a world-renowned centre of excellence in community-based development and leadership education.
Brian Francis: PSG, Prince Edward island, Appointed: October 2018
Topics of Interest
- Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Fisheries & Oceans
- Environmental Issues
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Francis has been heavily involved in issues pertaining to the Mi’kmaq community advocating for Mi’kmaq fishers treaty rights and their right to sell and harvest fish to obtain a “moderate livelihood”. Recently, Senator Francis has sponsored Bill C-5, which responds to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by establishing a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on 30 September of each year.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Recently, Senator Francis has been tweeting about his meeting with Indigenous leaders, advocating for Mi’kmaq fishing rights. He often share tweets relating to Indigenous affairs and issues pertaining to Atlantic Canada.
Senator Francis’ Instagram posts often mimic his tweets.
Biography
Background
- First person of Mi’kmaq descent in Prince Edward Island to serve in the Senate.
Education & Career
- Completed four years of apprenticeship and became a journeyman carpenter.
- Certificate in Conflict Resolution Studies from the University of Prince Edward Island.
- Aboriginal Coordinator with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans from 2002 to 2007.
- Senator Francis was one of the formal signatories to the Canada/Prince Edward Island/Mi’kmaq Partnership Agreement and the Canada/Prince Edward Island/Mi’kmaq Consultation Agreement, which set out a framework for consultation on proposed actions or decisions that could adversely impact asserted or established Aboriginal and treaty rights in the province.
- From 2007-2018, Senator Francis was the elected Chief and Band Administrator of the Abegweit Mi’kmaq Nation. During his term, he worked tirelessly to improve the social, economic and cultural well-being of his community.
Marty Deacon: ISG, Ontario – Waterloo Region, Appointed: February 2018
Topics of Interest
- Physical and Mental Health
- Women and Children’s Issues
- Education
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Deacon has recently made statements in the Senate regarding National Health and Fitness Day, and the Labour Code of Canada.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Deacon uses twitter to provide updates on her activities in the Senate. She also shares many tweets relating to physical and mental health and sports.
Biography
Education & Career
- Prior to serving in the Senate, Senator Deacon completed a 35-year career in Education. As an Educator with a Masters of Education (Western University) she taught (Physics, Science, Physical & Health Education) in Secondary Schools
- Volunteered extensively in her community and internationally. She garnered international respect in sport and education. This work began when Deacon served as an Apprentice Coach for the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
- Over the past 24 years Deacon has coached, led or served at 15 Olympic, Commonwealth and Pan Am Games. Her highest international opportunity was leading Team Canada (Chef de Mission) at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
- Senator Deacon has been recognized through a variety of awards including: The Women of Distinction and Lifetime Achievement Award (YWCA), Waterloo Region, The International Olympic Committee, Education and Youth Award, the Jules Nisse “Playground to Podium” award, the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal, Induction in the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame and the Cambridge Hall of Fame.
Patti LaBoucane-Benson: Non-Affiliated, Alberta, Appointed: October 2018
Topics of Interest
- Rights of indigenous Peoples
- Racism
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Laboucane-Benson has recently made statements supporting Bill C-15 stating “[…] it is time to commit to upholding and protecting the human rights of Indigenous peoples and to collectively address the impacts of colonization, systemic racism and discrimination. It’s time to meaningfully respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, as well as the report into the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It is time to honour the UN declaration and continue to renew and strengthen the nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationships. The time has come to formalize our commitment and create a framework that sets us on a path towards real reconciliation”. Senator LaBoucane-Benson has also addressed the Senate sharing experiences of racism faced by the Cree community urging the government to act on systemic racism in Canada. Senator LaBoucane-Benson also shared her support for Bill C-91: An Act respecting Indigenous languages and Bill C-92, a Bill respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Laboucane-Benson uses twitter to highlight speeches and policy endorsed by her colleagues, primarily those on APPA. She shares a lot of tweets pertaining to Indigenous issues. She also shares a lot of news pertaining to international Indigenous issues.
Biography
Background
- Métis from Treaty 6 territory in Alberta.
Education & Career
- Director of Boys and Girls Club in St. Paul in 1990.
- 23 years at Native Counselling Services of Alberta.
- PhD of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta focusing on Indigenous families and communities experiencing their own resilience in response to multiple forms of trauma.
- Wrote an award winning creative non-fiction graphic novel telling the story of an inner-city aboriginal family.
Carolyn Stewart Olsen: Conservative Party of Canada, New Brunswick, Appointed: August 2009
Topic of Interest
- Canadian Finance
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Stewart Olsen has no recent interventions in the Senate.
Social Media and Press Conferences
MP Schiefke’s social media accounts have recently been inactive, with previous interventions focused on climate change, net-zero emissions and Covid-19 information. There are no posts of interest to IRCC at this time.
Biography
Background
- She resides in Cape Spear, New Brunswick
Education & Career
- Senator Stewart Olsen is a registered nurse who has spent over a decade as an emergency staff nurse at hospitals throughout New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec.
- In 1986, Ms. Stewart Olsen was named Head Nurse for the Ambulatory Care Department at Ottawa’s Grace Hospital and later Nursing Manager for the Emergency, Recovery Room, Ambulatory Care, and CSR departments at Carleton Place Hospital.
- After a twenty-year career in nursing, Ms. Stewart Olsen turned her attention to political life where she served as Communications Assistant and Press Secretary to the Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons.
- Most recently, she served as Press Secretary and Director of Strategic Communication in the Office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper until her appointment to the Senate of Canada in 2009.
Josée Forest-Niesing: Independent Senators Group, Ontario, Appointed: October 2018
Topics of Interest
- Judicial Issues
- Francophone Issues
- Marginalized Communities
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Forest-Niesing advocates in the Senate for language rights, most recently, she delivered a statement to the Senate about the importance of remembering that both languages hold equal constitutional status. In light of the Senate discussing issues surrounding systemic racism, Senator Forest-Niesing brought up a point regarding policing and its effects on Black and Indigenous Canadians as well as urging the government to take action on systemic racism in Canada.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Forest-Niesing is active on Twitter and recently, with a group of senators, has shared a statement calling for the end of violence and racism surfaced from the Mi’kmaw fisheries dispute. She has also retweeted tweets showing her support for marginalized communities in Canada.
Senator Forest-Niesing has also tweeted support for campaigns to end violence against Indigenous women and for dialogue about indigenous issues in Canada.
Biography
Background
- Franco-Ontarian
- Métis Heritage
Education & Career
- She is a lawyer by profession beginning in family law and expanding to estate law, insurance, civil, education and employment law.
- Has been Superior Court of Justice Small Claims Court Judge.
- Chair of numerous boards of directors, including the Art Gallery of Sudbury, the Carrefour francophone de Sudbury, and the University of Sudbury. She was also appointed to the Ontario Arts Council in January 2018.
Kim Pate, ISG: Ontario, Appointed: November 2016
Topics of Interest
- Judicial Issues
- Women’s Issues
- Marginalized Communities’ Issues
- Human Rights
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Pate often speaks up to represent marginalized communities in all kinds of matters. When discussing issues faced by workers during the pandemic she stated, “Women, Indigenous peoples, Black Canadians and people of colour and undocumented migrant workers are overrepresented in these kinds of precarious situations. Unstable labour and the gig economy reinforce and worsen systemic racism and colonialism by excluding people from the kinds of fair wages and benefits designed to ensure that people’s well-being increases as the economy’s does.” Senator pate also provides input on judicial issues such as systemic racism in the justice system and human rights issues. Senator Pate has also been vocal about their support for a guaranteed livable income plan stating, “We also need federal action in support of Indigenous governments to address the particular needs of Indigenous peoples. As the Arctic and Aboriginal Peoples Committees know, as many as 46 per cent and 70 per cent of households in rural, remote and, particularly, northern communities are food insecure, and this number is rising. The lack of access to basic necessities, as well as educational and employment opportunities, are significant barriers to young people living and surviving, let alone learning their culture and their languages. Add to this social assistance requirements that individuals do nothing but look for non-existent jobs and is it any wonder that they are not able to access traditional languages, educational or vocational training or get out on the land? A guaranteed livable income of the sort recommended in the report last month could provide increased stability.”
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Pate is very active on Twitter, tweeting and retweeting about judicial issues and the experience of marginalized communities in the Canada’s justice system. She has retweeted information about sexual-assault testimonies of persons with an intellectual disability, incarceration of persons with mental illness and violence against women to name a few. Recently, Senator Pate has been expressing her concerns about medical assistance in dying, guaranteed livable income and the contributions of Indigenous veterans.
Tik Tok
Senator Pate is active on the video-sharing social media platform where she shares explanations on current bills, and topics of interest in both the Senate and the House. Some of her videos have touched on the forced sterilization of Indigenous women and girls, systemic racism, indigenous issues, and judicial issues.
Biography
Education & Career
- Graduated from Dalhousie Law School with honours in the Clinical Law Programme.
- Completed post graduate work in forensic mental health.
- She was the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) from January 1992 until her appointment to the Senate.
- Senator Pate has been instrumental in building coalitions across the country with other equality-seeking women’s, anti-racism, anti-poverty and human rights groups and organizations; and, in this capacity, has worked with feminist legal scholars, lawyers, other professionals and front-line advocates and activists — from Indigenous communities to transition house and rape crisis centre workers.
Dennis Glen Patterson: Conservative party of Canada, Nunavut, Appointed: August 2009
Topics of Interest
- Northern and Arctic Affairs
- Indigenous Women’s Issues
- Systemic Racism
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Patterson has raised a lot of concerns to the senate regarding Northern and Arctic issues, most recently broadband internet access in Nunavut and access to shelters for Inuit women and children fleeing violence. Senator Patterson has also made statements on the systemic racism faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Patterson shares updates of Senate discussions surrounding Nunavut and other territories. They also share different projects and policies involving Canada’s North and Arctic.
Biography
Education & Career
- Former Premier of Northwest Territories.
- Senator Patterson played a key role in the settlement of the Inuvialuit final agreement and the Nunavut final land claim agreement.
- Senator Patterson also served as a leader of the more than twenty-year campaign which led to the establishment of Nunavut as Canada’s newest territory in 1999.
- Prior to entering politics, Senator Patterson used to practice law
Michael L. MacDonald: Conservative Party of Canada, Nova Scotia – Cape Breton, Appointed: January 2009
Topics of Interest
- Canada-United States Relations
- Transportation
Interventions in Parliament
Senator MacDonald has no recent interventions in the Senate.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator MacDonald uses twitter to support the messages of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Biography
Education & Career
- King’s College at Dalhousie University in Halifax, graduating in 1977 with an Honours degree in political science
- He first came to Ottawa in 1978, working as a researcher in the Progressive Conservative Research Office until 1980. Returning to Nova Scotia, he worked in the office of the Hon. Gerald Sheehy (1980-82), and later served as Executive Assistant to Premier John Buchanan (1982-84). Thereafter, returning to Parliament Hill, he served as Executive Assistant to the Hon. Tom McMillan (1984-85), and later to the Hon. Stewart McInnes (1985-87).
- He ran twice for federal office, first in 1988, in the riding of Cape Breton-East Richmond, and again in 2004, running in Dartmouth-Cole Harbour. He also ran twice provincially for the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party in 1993 and 1998.
- Until his appointment to the Upper House, Senator MacDonald served as Vice-President of the Conservative Party of Canada, and the party’s National Councillor for Nova Scotia.
Scott Tannas: Canadian Senators Group, Alberta, Appointed: March 2013
Topic of Interest
- Rights of indigenous Peoples
Interventions in Parliament
Senator Tannas has spoken out regarding United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples bill saying that he hopes this bill will not simply be symbolic and that it will not be minimized or ignored.
Social Media and Press Conferences
Senator Tannas has not been active on social media since 2018.
Biography
Background
- Father was conservative MLA for the riding of Highwood and Deputy Speaker of the Alberta Legislature.
Education & Career
- Founder of Western Financial Group Inc. having served as it’s CEO from 1996 to 2014.
- Scott Tannas is a founding member and Interim Leader of the Canadian Senators Group. He is making Senate Reform one of his key priorities as a Senator, and was a founding member of the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization, which delivered a series of reports advocating sweeping changes to the operations of the Senate.