OUR TEAM

Wayne Garnons-Williams, Acting Chief Executive Officer

Wayne is the acting CEO of the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada. He is also the founding President of International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization, Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of the law firm Garwill Law Professional Corporation and leads an international business entitled Indigenous Sovereign Trade Consultancy Ltd. specializing in Tribal Trade and Sustainable Economic Development.  

He is past Chair of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Appeal Tribunal, past Chair of the National Council of Federal Aboriginal Employees and is currently on the board of directors of the International Law Association – Canada Chapter and is one of the founding members of the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Working Group on Indigenous International Trade

He is also a Research Fellow specializing in International Comparative Indigenous law at the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. He was appointed by Order in Council as a member to the NAFTA Chapter 19 Trade Remedies roster and then appointed in 2020 as a CUSMA Advisory Committee Member on Private Commercial Disputes, Article 31.22.  

He has recently written and is co-editor for two textbooks to be published by Cambridge University Press in 2023 on International Indigenous Trade & Environmental law and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in relation to Intellectual Property. He is teaching a course based on his textbook as part of the Bachelor of Indigenous Entrepreneurialism Program at the University of Waterloo.

He is the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business 2019 award winner for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations, the 2020Queen’s University alumni award winner as well as the recipient of the 2020Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) - International Legal Specialist in Peace, Justice and Governance Award and the 2023 Senior Legal Fellow for CISDL. He is Plains Cree from Treaty 6, Moosomin First Nation.

FIRST PERMANENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS – UPDATE

Presenting our first permanent Board of Directors:
Throughout 2020, based on the recommendations in the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation Survivor Engagement Report, we recruited the first permanent Survivor-led Board of Directors for the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation. Our first official Board of Directors represent compassion, strength, unity and healing.
November 12, 2020 Virtual Event
Official Launch of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and Board of Directors Announcement. Captions in French and English will be provided in the future, but for now, the video is available for viewing in its entirety.
Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Minister Bennett shares remarks on the new permanent Board Members of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and their vital work to address the legacy of the Sixties Scoop.

Selina Legge, Director of Finance and Operations

Selina would like to acknowledge her Ancestors who have passed on before her. To Selina’s Aunt Mary Adams who gave her the courage to speak up for truth and justice, Selina’s Mother for her letters of love and encouragement to never give up, no matter how many times she fell or failed along the way. To the Anishnawbe Health team for helping her make sense of it all and to stop blaming herself for injustices put upon her. To Sally Brown Martel( Marcia) who bought this case forward. To her Lawyer Geoff Budden on representing her with her own personal lawsuit. To the Toronto Inuit community for your support, love and respect. To her Nunatsiavut family and beautiful friends who have been Selina’s solid rock. Nakummek, Thank you.

Atelihai, Hello.Selina is an Inuk of Nunatsiavut. Mother of 3 and Grandmother of 5. In 1964 she was scooped from her family and ancestral lands by the Canadian Government and made a ward of state where she was placed with non-Indigenous people. When Selina reached 16 years of age, she no longer belonged to anyone. The government that stole her from her people now gave up ownership of her. She was left to fend for herself. She is a Sixties Scoop Survivor. At the age of 24 she was a single Mother and was able to come up with enough funds to buy a used car for $300.00 and a hot dog cart business that won her the best restaurant award. She continued working with Trade shows and festivals buying and selling products.

In 2007 Selina hired a lawyer and took the government to court for the abuses imposed upon her as a child which made her relive the Trauma. She spent four years with counselling and recovering to heal her broken spirit. Selina settled the case out of court through negotiations. In 2014 she was elected Toronto's Inuit Delegate to represent them on the National Level developing Inuit Specific programs and services. Selina worked collaboratively with Indigenous organisations such as Tungasuvvinat Inuit, Pauttitut Women and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. She is also one of the Co-Founders of the Toronto Inuit Association where she served on the board as Secretary. She was entrusted by the Inuit community to lead the Pre-Inquiry for Toronto's Missing and Murdered Inuit Woman and Girls. She also attended the 5th Indigenous Women's Summit representing Toronto and took part in the Truth and Reconciliation conference. This is part of Selina’s journey and healing story. With this experience Selina is looking forward to serving all sixties scoop Survivors on their journey to healing and reclamation.

FIRST PERMANENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS – UPDATE

Presenting our first permanent Board of Directors:
Throughout 2020, based on the recommendations in the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation Survivor Engagement Report, we recruited the first permanent Survivor-led Board of Directors for the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation. Our first official Board of Directors represent compassion, strength, unity and healing.
November 12, 2020 Virtual Event
Official Launch of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and Board of Directors Announcement. Captions in French and English will be provided in the future, but for now, the video is available for viewing in its entirety.
Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Minister Bennett shares remarks on the new permanent Board Members of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and their vital work to address the legacy of the Sixties Scoop.

Mohammed Hossain, Director of Programs

The National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada are pleased to announce the Director of Programs , Mohammed Hossain.

Mohammed had been a nonprofit manager with more than 19 years of progressive experience in health, education, disability, Indigenous communities, housing, and homelessness.

He has diversified project management skills, including fund-raising, coordination, monitoring, stakeholder relations, logistics, and asset management.

He is also experienced in managing large humanitarian response programs .He has a Masters in Social Sciences along with numerous training and certificates, including Indigenous Canada, Clinical Supervision, Trauma Informed Practice, Managing High Performance, Health Program Management, and Humanitarian Program Operation etc.

Mohammed received a Civil Society Innovation Award from the Civil Society WASH Fund, AusAid in 2016 and Zero Project innovative education award, Austria in 2020. His research projects have been published in many international journals, including the European Journal of Education, The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and many more.

FIRST PERMANENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS – UPDATE

Presenting our first permanent Board of Directors:
Throughout 2020, based on the recommendations in the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation Survivor Engagement Report, we recruited the first permanent Survivor-led Board of Directors for the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation. Our first official Board of Directors represent compassion, strength, unity and healing.
November 12, 2020 Virtual Event
Official Launch of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and Board of Directors Announcement. Captions in French and English will be provided in the future, but for now, the video is available for viewing in its entirety.
Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Minister Bennett shares remarks on the new permanent Board Members of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and their vital work to address the legacy of the Sixties Scoop.

Rochelle Guiboche, Director of Communications

Rochelle is a proud First Nations Anishinaabe Ikwe, a descendant of a 60's Scoop Survivor. She is a member of Treaty 3 Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Rochelle embodies the strength and resilience of her ancestors. Her spirit name, White Bear Woman, from the Wolf clan embodies the strength and resilience of her ancestors, instilling in her a deep sense of identity and purpose. As a middle child with an older sister, who is also a descendant of a Survivor, and a younger brother of Métis heritage, Rochelle cherishes her role as a proud auntie to four beloved niece and nephews.

Born in Winnipeg Manitoba, Rochelle was raised by her mother in the north end, situated on the traditional territory of Treaty, the Homeland of the Métis Nation and the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples. Rochelle's upbringing in this diverse community instilled in her a profound respect for Indigenous traditions and values. 

Educationally, Rochelle holds qualifications in Computer Applications for Business and  Programming. She is deeply committed to reclaiming her Anishinaabemowin language as part of her cultural revitalization journey. 

With a background in administration and technical roles, Rochelle brings a wealth of experience to her work. Her time at the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. and her service on the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg Board of Directors have provided her with invaluable insights into the workings of non-profit organizations. Rochelle has also collaborated with various entities, including the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba Government, Federal Crown Corporations, and First Nations communities, further broadening her understanding of community engagement and advocacy. 

Passionate about social justice, Rochelle actively contributes to the movement for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit individuals (MMIWG2S). She is deeply involved in initiatives such as the Soles on Fire Marathon, which advocates for the implementation of the Calls to Action. Rochelle's experience working with APTN has reinforced her belief in the power of media to amplify Indigenous voices and effect positive change from Sea to Sea, Seas.

Rochelle's journey is guided by her unwavering commitment to honor her heritage, seek justice for her community, and pave the way for future generations of Indigenous leaders.

FIRST PERMANENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS – UPDATE

Presenting our first permanent Board of Directors:
Throughout 2020, based on the recommendations in the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation Survivor Engagement Report, we recruited the first permanent Survivor-led Board of Directors for the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation. Our first official Board of Directors represent compassion, strength, unity and healing.
November 12, 2020 Virtual Event
Official Launch of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and Board of Directors Announcement. Captions in French and English will be provided in the future, but for now, the video is available for viewing in its entirety.
Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Minister Bennett shares remarks on the new permanent Board Members of the Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation and their vital work to address the legacy of the Sixties Scoop.