NATION COUNCIL

The Anishinabek Nation Council Is Supported By Five Advisory Councils:

The five Advisory Councils meet from time to time as individual groups or collectively, to discuss areas of concern, review and provide advice on Anishinabek Nation program initiatives and engage in nation-building activities. 

These include: 

Getzidjig Advisory Council
Kwewag Advisory Council
Eshki-niigijig Advisory Council
Niizhwaadziwag Advisory Council
Niniwag Advisory Council

GETZIDJIG ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Anishinabek Nation Getzidjig Advisory Council acts in an advisory capacity to Anishinabek Nation Leadership, providing direction for consideration by elected leaders. 

The Getzidjig Advisory Council members are: 

Mishoomis
Richard Assinewai

Anishinabek Nation Head Getzit

Ookomis
Donna Debassige

Lake Huron Region

Mishoomis
Gerard Sagassige 

Southeast Region

Mishoomis
Leroy Dolson

 Southwest Region

Honorary Getzitjig

Gezit James Mishquart

Northern Superior

Ookomis Elsie Bissailion

Lake Huron Region

KWEWAG ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Anishinabek Nation Kwewag Advisory Council supports the restoration of Anishinabek Nation governance and jurisdiction through advocacy and coordination. They advise, represent, encourage, and offer strength in building safe and healthy families and communities. 

The Anishinabek Nation Kwewag Advisory Council represents the women’s voice and issues at the leadership level, and advocates on their behalf. They are the collective voice of the Anishinabek Nation Kwewag-Wuk to the overall development and implementation of the Nation Building/Wedokdodwin (the Anishinabek Nation’s strategic plan for political action). 

The Kwewag Advisory Council members are: 

Aurora Ominika-Enosse

Huron Region

Betsy Kechego

Southwest Region

Dale Benoit-Zohr

Southeast Region

Pam Hardy

Northern Superior Region

Ookomis (Grandmothers) June 2024 - June 2027

Front Row L to R: Evelyn McLeod (Huron), Nora Sawyer (Southeast), Evelyn Stone (Superior)
Back Row L to R: Andrea O’nabison, Lynda Fox Trudeau

ESHKI-NIIGIJIG ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Anishinabek Nation’s Eshki-niigijigEshki-Niigijig Advisory Council is the voice and the leadership for youth-related issues within the Anishinabek Nation. The Eshki-niigijigEshki-Niigijig Advisory Council represents Anishinabek Nation youth at the regional, provincial and national levels. They also service in an advisory capacity to the Anishinabek Nation’s nation-building process for self-determination and traditional governance, which is an objective of Wedokdodwin. 

The Eshki-niigijigEshki-Niigijig Advisory Council members are: 

  • Daynara Cyr (Lake Huron)
  • Raena Wawia (Northen Superior)
  • William Jackson (Southwest)
  • Olivia Tolles (Southeast)

The Eshki-Niigijig Advisory Council also are guided by the following mentors (2026-2027 FY) 

  • Pierre Debassige, former Lake Huron Region Eshki-Niigijig  Male Representative and Bonnet Holder 
  • Brittnee Waindubence, former Lake Huron Eshki-NiigijigFemale Representative 

 

Front Row L to R: William Jackson (Southwest), Daynara Cyr (Lake Huron)
Back Row L to R: Pierre Debassige (Lake Huron), Brittnee Waindubence, (Lake Huron) 

NIIZHWAADZIWAG ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Anishinabek Nation Niizhwaadziwag (2SLGBTQQAI+) Advisory Council supports Anishinaabe governance and advocacy. In their role, members will advise, represent, encourage, inspire, and empower the voice of the Niizhwaadziwag within the Anishinabek Nation. 

The Niizhwaadziwag (2SLGBTQQAI+) Advisory Council advocates Niizhwaadziwag-related issues in the Anishinabek Nation’s nation-building process for traditional governance, which is an objective of the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin. 

The Niizhwaadziwag Advisory Council members are: 

  • NaWalka Geeshy Meegwun (Southwest Region)
  • Heidi Whetung (Southeast Region)
  • Aaron Bowerman (Huron Region)
  • Superior Region (To be announced) 

Front L to R: NaWalka Geeshy Meegwun (Southwest Region), Heidi Whetung (Southeast Region), Aaron Bowerman (Huron Region) 

NINIWAG ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Anishinabek Nation Niniwag (Men’s) Advisory Council supports Anishinaabe governance through advocacy.  In their role, members will advise, represent, encourage, inspire, and empower the voice of the Niniwag within the Anishinabek Nation. 

This Advisory Council advocates on Niniwag-related issues in an advisory capacity to the Anishinabek Nation’s nation-building process and traditional governance, which is an objective of the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin. 

The Niniwag Advisory Council members are: 

  • Bryan Bellefeuille, Nipissing First Nation (Lake Huron Region)
  • John “Jack” Trudeau, Serpent River First Nation (Lake Huron Region)
  • Darren Henry, Aamjiwnaang First Nation (Southwest Region)
  • John Paul Kohoko, (Southeast Region)
  • Jeremiah Charlie (Superior Region)  

Front L to R: Jack Trudeau and Bryan Bellefeuille