NFNECP Research Selection Committee
 |
|
Back row: Shane Keepness, Tim Culligan, Elder Ken Goodwill, Jacob Pratt and Herman Michell.
Front Row: Kim McKay-McNabb, Melissa Hotain, Heather Dorries, Derina Peters, Geneviève Monnin, Elder Betty McKenna and Terrina Bellegarde.
|
OVERVIEW
The NFNECP Selection Committee meets annually, in person, to
finalize the list of eligible proposals (those that meet all of the mandatory criteria). Once the list is established, the Committee review and reconcile proposal, and determine proposal rankings.
Proposal evaluations are conducted based on the selection matrix in the NFNECP Funding Application Guide. Recommendations are made with consideration to the amount of funding available to NFNECP projects for the respective year and the relative ranking of the proposals evaluated. Health Canada bases funding decisions on the Selection Committee’s recommendations and financial policies of the federal government. Only the proposals that achieve a high enough standing, as determined by the Selection Committee, are recommended for funding.
MEMBERS
The Selection Committee includes seven Regional (voting) Members and several non-voting members: a Committee Chairperson, the Program Coordinator, two Elders, two Youth representatives, and a Health Canada representative. The non-voting members participate in discussion and contribute to debate on proposal rankings. The role of all members is to ensure relevance of the selected proposals and to build capacity within the community through learning about the committee work and process.
A Regional Selection Committee Representative cannot concurrently hold a position as an appointed Steering Committee Member. The Regional First Nation Representatives are appointed for three (renewable) year terms, drawn from the following regions:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Atlantic (includes Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island)
MANDATE
To evaluate and make recommendations to Health Canada on proposals eligible for NFNECP funding based on the selection matrix in the Call for Proposals and the Funding Application Guide and funding amounts available for the respective year.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the NFNECP Selection Committee are:
- To review and rate proposals on a yearly basis;
- To uphold the NFNECP conflict of interest and confidentiality policies;
- To provide input into the selection process;
- To recommend a reasonable level at which to fund the rated proposals;
- To take into account all available sources of pertinent information into rating and funding decisions;
- To evaluate all proposals in an open, transparent, and accountable manner.
Selection Committee Members
|
|
Terrina Bellegarde
(2008 to present)
Terrina has worked for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations since 2001. She received her education at the First Nations University of Canada and studied a degree in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Health and Science program. She has advocated for the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in the Saskatchewan science curriculum and participated in the Sask Learning pan Canadian science curriculum for grades 6 to 9. She was the FSIN Science Program Manager for 5 years and contributed in First Nations youth summer programming and mobile programming in the promotion of the math and sciences to K to 12.
She continues to be committed to working with First Nations youth in her spare time she volunteers at family centres and First Nation communities presenting hands on science and math activities to children and youth.
Terrina currently works with the FSIN Health and Social Development Secretariat as the Environmental Health Specialist. She acknowledges the great deal of environmental public health concerns on First Nation communities and strives to advocate to meet their needs.
|
|
|
Derina Peters
(2008 to present)
Derina’s paternal ancestry is Squamish Nation and her maternal ancestry is Lil'wat Nation of British Columbia. She is passionate about the health and well-being of First Nations children, families, and communities, and dedicated to issues effecting First Nations of Canada.
In her role as Junior Policy Analyst with the BC First Nations Health Council, she analyzes and disseminates information for current health and health-related policy and issues affecting BC First Nations. She also provides analysis and information management for the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan and the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan.
Derina’s appointment as a Selection Committee Member of the National First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program, is directly related to her Policy role, which includes Environmental Health.
|
|
|
Dr. Carrie Bourassa
(2008 to present)
Carrie Bourassa is an Associate Professor of Indigenous Health Studies at First Nations University of Canada. Carrie completed her Ph.D. (Social Studies) in January 2008. Her dissertation is entitled Destruction of the Métis Nation: Health Consequences. Carrie’s research interests include the effects of colonization on the health of First Nations and Métis people; creating culturally competent care in health service delivery; Aboriginal community-based health research methodology; Aboriginal end of life care and Aboriginal women’s health. Carrie is Métis, belonging to the Riel Métis Council of Regina Inc. She resides in Regina with her husband, Chad and her daughter, Victoria.
|
|
|
Melissa Hotain
Environment Policy Analyst, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
(2003 to present)
Melissa has a wide range of experience in dealing with various levels of local, provincial and federal governments through her work in environment and more extensively in self-government negotiations for her First Nation.
Upon completion of her Environment Practicum on the Tsuu Tina First Nation in Alberta she worked for Indian Oil and Gas Canada before returning to serve her community in various capacities including self government negotiations and as elected Councilor for her First Nation.
Her current position is Environment Policy Analyst for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, a position she has held for the last four years. Melissa participates in various international, national and regional committees related to land, water and environmental issues. She is responsible for research, planning, policy analysis and strategic policy development on a comprehensive range of matters related to the environment.
She is honoured to work with and for First Nations people for a united purpose of protecting Mother Earth. Melissa’s goal for First Nations is to revitalize and apply our traditional origins and knowledge when developing sustainable environmental plans for the future. She utilizes and encourages planning and decisions based on the Dakota Seven Generations concept which demonstrates the philosophy of assessing actions and decisions based on the health and well being of our future generations.
|
|
|
Heather Dorries
(2007 to present)
biography coming soon
|
|
|
Tim Culligan
(2003 to present)
Tim Culligan has worked with First Nations communities for over twenty-one years and previously worked with Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) as a district engineer for the province of New Brunswick.
Tim currently works as an engineer with the North Shore Micmac District Council. Tim Assists First Nations Bands with community planning/infrastructure development. He currently resides at Belledune, New Brunswick with his wife who is an intensive care nurse and his two sons who also are engineers.
|
|
Click on image to enlarge photo
|
 |
 |
 |
|
2008-09
Back Row- Elder Ken Goodwill, Melissa Hotain, Zoltan Fabian and Tim Culligan
Front Row - Audra Jo Isaac, Heather Dorries, Tania Moore, Elder Betty McKenna, Kim McKay-McNabb, Martin Paul, Carrie Bourassa and Chantelle Cardinal
|
2007-08
|
2006-07
Back Row – Constantine Tikhonov, Zoltan Fabian
Front Row – Kim McKay-McNabb, Michelle DeGroot, Carrie Bourassa, Wendy Mortimer, Tim Culligan and Martin Paul
|