Board of Directors

Leith Cardinall

A member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Leith started participating as a Trustee in 2007 and has managed the Onihcikiskowapowin Business Trust for over 10 years. Leith has been in the financial industry since 2001 and was recommended by the Trustees to assume the role as the Trust Manager. With a diploma in Management, Leith is currently working towards an MBA through the Cape Breton University. Leith has been on the Board of Directors for NATOA since 2014 and has been the Chair or Vice Chair of NATOA since 2017.

Kain Big Canoe

Kain is a proud member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. As Senior Manager of T.E. Wealth’s Indigenous Services Practice, Kain brings over five years of experience in the accounting and consulting industries and a strong understanding of accounting standards and financial statement analysis. He specializes in working with community leadership and Trustees across Canada on the planning, development, and implementation of efficient and cost-effective -Trust and wealth-management solutions.

Kain holds a Bachelor of Accounting and a Master of Accountancy from Brock University and holds the CPA designation. Before joining T.E. Wealth, Kain served as a consultant at a multi-national professional services firm. There, he created and refined strategic solutions that supported small to medium-sized private companies and family-owned businesses in achieving their goals.

Suzanne Trottier

Suzanne Trottier is the President of First Nations Bank of Canada’s wholly owned trust company, FNB Trust. She leads a dedicated team that provides trust structuring and administration services to Indigenous trusts across Canada. Suzanne is a proud Métis who grew up in Manitoba with maternal roots to the Lake Manitoba First Nation. Previously, Suzanne was the Director of Capacity Development and Intervention with the First Nations Financial Management Board and a Vice-President with Ernst & Young Corporate Finance Inc.

Active in her community, she is the Vice-Chair of the InBC Investment Corp. board of directors and Chair of the Audit, Investment & Risk Committee, and sits on the board of directors of the Business Development Bank of Canada. She also sits on the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management Council at the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School. Suzanne is a Chartered Financial Analyst and an ICD.D with the Institute of Corporate Directors. She holds a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba.

Mark Dokis

Mark Dokis is a member of the Dokis First Nation in Northeastern Ontario and has been with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) as Senior Advisor responsible for Special Projects and Procurement, since 2017. He graduated with honours from Laurentian University with a Bachelor of Arts in geography. He went on to earn certificates in economic development and, business management, board and trust administration. Mark has over 35 years of experience in the Indigenous economic, business, procurement and financial services fields. In April 2018, Mark was elected as a Trustee to the Okikendawt Hydro and Dokis First Nation Community Trust to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Trust for the members of the Dokis First Nation. In his free time, Mark enjoys staying at his cottage on Lake Nipissing, hunting, fishing, and curling.

Wayne Kaboni

Wayne is dedicated to social and economic development through incubating new aboriginal businesses and offering ISO 9000 management system services and electronic business solutions. Wayne has over 25 years experience in aspects Quality Management, Project Management, and Technical Management, in both the private and public sector. Click here to see a profile we posted about Wayne on the ETSI-BC LinkedIn page.

Sharon Stevenson

Sharon Stevenson is currently the Trust Manager with the Peguis Surrender Claim Trust, a career she embarked on in 2016. Where she is involved in the implementa- tion and administration of a community Trust, currently valued at $140 Million. With over $3.5 million awarded each year, Peguis membership keeps her & staff busy supporting community members. Her trust work affords her the opportunity to assist community members and the First Nation in their pursuit of “Building Our Future” and “Preserving Our Future” fulfilling the visions of the Trusts. She is also an elect- ed Financial Trustee of the Peguis Treaty Land Entitlement Trust. The Trusts are so much more than just money, they are the history, identity, education and future of Peguis.

After graduating from Peguis Central School, Sharon attended the University of Manitoba where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently attend- ed the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and completed her Business degree. Sharon has always been a strong supporter of AFOA Canada and has achieved her CAFM, CAPA & CIHRP designations. Sharon has also been awarded the Xerox Excellence in Leadership Award for her leadership in financial management. She has also completed the Harvard Executive Program “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Indigenous Communities” with AFOA Canada. During Covid, Sharon has completed the Project Management Program with Red River Polytechnic and completed the Institute of Corporate Directors train- ing. She is humbled with the education path she has pursued, as there is always something new to learn and people to meet.

Sharon also provides Board support for AFOA Canada and the Peguis Foundation Inc. She gives credit to her family: spouse Howard French, son Kiinnan, daughter Aniike and granddaughter Binidee for giving her the support and drive to make a difference in the community. Sharon resides in Peguis where she is overly active and involved in community programs and events. She is the go-to person in Peguis.

Janine Pitawanakwat

Janine is a registered member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in Ontario, she started her Board of Directors appointment for NATOA in 2023. She currently participates as a Trustee for The Wikwemikong Trust since 2016 and is currently undergoing her 3rd term.

Janine holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Nipissing University and successfully completed Phase 1 & 2 Trustee Training through NATOA and Lethbridge College. Her current role as Systems Administrator/Senior Finance Officer for Wikwemikong Health Centre. Prior to her current position she worked as a Loans Officer with Wikwemikong Development Commission and a Financial Representative with TD Bank.

She believes in building fundamental financial literacy to all, as it is important knowledge for all ages. Her values are the seven grandfather teaching (Gwekwaadiziwin, Debwewin, Aakodewewin, Nibwaakawin, Dibaadendiziwin, Minsaadedemowin and Zaagidiwin) as this can be applied to all life’s journeys. Her personal interests are spending time with family and friends, hiking and going on new adventures small or big because life is an adventure.

Marilyn Jacko

Marilyn Jacko is from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Odawa Nation, Three Fires Confederacy. She has a strong educational background in law and justice and in the administration field. She obtained her Legal Assistant College Diploma and holds a University Degree in the Bachelor of Arts – Law and Justice. She has also obtained a certificate in Oral history from the University of Alberta. She has also received three designations as an Aboriginal Professional Administrator through AFOA Canada; a Certified Arbitrator and Certified Adjudicator from the Osgoode Professional Development Department.

Marilyn is currently the Executive Administrative Assistant to Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory Chief and Council. She first began a 3-year term as Trustee with the Wikwemikong Trust in 2017 and is currently completing her second term. Marilyn is also a member of the National Trust Officer Association and has successfully completed Phase I of the Trustee Training program through Lethbridge College; and Trustee Training through AFOA Canada.

Marilyn’s goal for Indigenous people is to have financial literacy and investment training, and be able to prosper in all aspects of their lives.