BIOGRAPHY
Mike Metatawabin was elected as Deputy Grand Chief on August 12, 2009. He was born and raised in Fort Albany First Nation where he learned outdoor living skills along the Albany River by hunting and trapping with his father.
Prior to his position on the NAN Executive Council, Mike served four consecutive terms as Chief of Fort Albany First Nation (1988-2006).
Preserving and enhancing the use of the Cree language is Mike’s passion, and his interest in traditional languages compliments his extensive background in communications and public relations. Mike has worked in radio and television journalism for more than 13 years. In 1988 he was elected president of Wawatay Native Communications Society, a multi-media organization that preserves and enhances indigenous languages and cultures of the people of Nishnawbe Aski. He was also chair of APTN from 2007-2009.
Mike has worked on a variety of regional issues through a number of First Nation organizations, including his efforts to improve health care, social services and community development in NAN First Nations. In 2003 he was appointed chair of Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service. He also served as director of Kimesskanamenow Corporation, which builds the winter road along the western James Bay coast. In 2000 he was appointed president of Five Nations Energy, the first native-owned transmission company in Canada. He served as chair of Weeneebayko Health Authuskaywin serving the coastal communities of James Bay and Hudson Bay and was appointed chairman of the board for Missiway Community Health Centre in 2009.
Mike works primarily from the NAN Eastern office in Timmins, where he and his wife Eva live with their children and granddaughter.
PORTFOLIO AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Board & Committee Participation
(Chiefs of Ontario Justice / Corrections Steering Committee, Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin,Four Party Hospital Services Committee,Ontario Chiefs Committee on Health, NAN Political Rep - Aboriginal Healing & Wellness Strategy Joint Management Committee, Chair - NAN Chiefs Committee on Health, Co-chair - NAN / First Nations & Inuit Health (FNIH) Joint Working Group on NIHB & Medical Transportation, Ex-Officio - Sioux Lookout Zone Chiefs Committee on Health, Ex-Officio - Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Board, Ex-Officio - Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services Corporation Board)
Health Policy & Planning
(Treaty Right to Health, Health Advocacy, Primary Health Care, Traditional Healing, Health Policy Development & Planning, Prescription Drug Abuse, Chronic Diseases, Mental Health, Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) & Medical Transportation Policy, Aboriginal Healing & Wellness Strategy (AHWS), AHWS Renewal, NAN Chiefs Committee on Health, Pandemic Planning / Emergency Preparednes, Public Health, Health Promotion)
Special Projects (Health)
(Aboriginal Healing & Wellness Strategy, Men’s Healing Initiative (Ralph Rowe Survivors), Residential Schools Issues / Impacts
Policing / Justice
(Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, National, Regional & Municipal Police Services, Community policing issues)
Public Relations (Languages & Consultation)
Recreation
Youth (Oshkaatisak-NAN Young Peoples Council)
War Veterans
Women’s Issues
(Equay-wuk Women’s Group, NAN Women’s Council, First Nation Community Women’s Group, Family Healing Initiative)
