2026 AGM Gathering: Family, Culture and Connection in Saskatoon
Ontario Akwesasne, September 18, 2026
(Top row from left to right: Chief Quenton Swiftwolfe, Moosomin First Nation, Board Chair Shirley Cardinal, Board Secretary Mary John, Office Manager Jade Jackson, Fundraising Coordinator Joy Edobor, Director of Communications Rochelle Guiboche, Guest Donna Garnons-Williams, Elder Philomene Sanderson, Board Member Danelle St-Laurent, Director of Finance and Operations Selina Legge, Board Member Chris Wagg. Bottom Row Left to right: Elder Leone Neville, Director of Programs Kamal Hossain, Board Member Eric Phillips, Board Member Kukpi7 Michael Christian, Board Treasurer Troy MacBeth Abromaitis, Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams, Elder Assistant Marlyn Osecap, Guest Tashana Adams, at the 2026 AGM in Saskatoon SK)
Day One: A Welcome Grounded in Ceremony
The AGM opened on Wednesday, June 24, with a land acknowledgement from Board Chair Shirley Cardinal. An outdoor ceremony led by First Nation Elder Philomene Sanderson and Métis Elder Leone Neville grounded the gathering inprayer, protocol and respect for the land. Glenn McCallum, President of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, then offered an official welcome. The day’s business included the Director of Finance delivering the year end 2025 audit along with the Director of Programs’ review of the 2026 grant application and a motion for its approval, followed by a shared lunch that gave attendees time to visit and reconnect.
In the afternoon, Chief Quenton Swiftwolfe of Moosomin First Nation addressed the gathering and gave recognition through the honouring of sixties scoop family and community reunification as symbolized in the 150th Anniversary Treaty 6 Medallions given to his 60s scoop survivor constituents, CEO Wayne Garnons-Williams, Elder Philomene Osecap & her assistant Marilyn Osecap.
(NSSHFC CEO Wayne Garnons-Williams, Elder Assistant Marlyn Osecap, and Elder Philomene Sanderson)
And Métis Elder Leone Neville was honoured as the 2026 National Sixties Scoop Mother, which included a commemoration plaque and, honoring gift and a permanent seat on the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada's honoured "Circle of Elders".
(NSSHFC Board Chair Shirley Cardinal with National Sixties Scoop Mother Elder Leone Neville)
(NSSHFC Board Chair Shirley Cardinal with National Sixties Scoop Mother Elder Leone Neville)
As part of the 2026 AGM these of Scooped Family Reunification, board member Ian Card (a scooped survivor) was reunited for the first time with his siblings as well as the screening of the short documentary of last year's reunification between board member Ian Cardand his birth mother, Métis Elder Leone Neville.
The day concluded with a meet-and-greet at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre. Executive Director Michelle King welcomed attendees and shared how previous Foundation grants had supported Sixties Scoop survivors,reinforcing the importance of community-led healing.
(Executive Director of SIMFC Michelle King and Chief Executive Officer of NSSHFC Wayne Garnons-Williams)
Day Two: Celebrating Reunion and Belonging
The second day again began outdoors, with ceremony led by First Nation Elder Sanderson and Métis Elder Neville and an opening prayer from Elder Philomene Sanderson. Reports and presentations followed, including the 2025–2026 communications report, an introduction to the returning summer student, a fundraising update and a presentation titled Visioning the National Sixties Scoop Healing Archive. CEO Wayne Garnons-Williams also presented a year in review – highlighting some of the the major accomplishments achieved by the Foundation before Elder Sanderson closed the formal session in prayer.
2026 Volunteer Award
This year the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada’s “Volunteer Award” was bestowed upon Board Member Kukpi7 Michael Christian. This annaul award is presented to a volunteer who has committed their time of service for over 5 years, showing both humility and commitment to the Foundation. Board Member Kukpi7 Michael Christian, a Sixties Scoop Survivor the strength it takes to overcome adversity and how to keep moving forward in a positive way, no matter what bumps we face along the way. It gives the foundation such an honor to present the 2026 Volunteer Award and blanket to Board Member Kukpi7 Michael Christian from the Board and Staff of the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, Congratulations! Kukpi7 Michael Christian. We look forward to having you walk beside us in the foundations path forward.
That evening, the gathering’s family focus came fully into view. Elder Leone Neville and new board member Ian Card were celebrated, and Board Director Chris Wagg shared a reunion video telling the story of a mother andson who had found one another again during the past year, with the Foundation privileged to support their journey. The reunion dinner that followed brought members of the Neville family brothers, sisters and loved ones together around the same table. It was an evening of stories, remembrance and belonging, and a powerful reminder that reunion is not a single moment but an ongoing process of rebuilding kinship, identity and community.
2026 Volunteer Award
This year the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada’s “Volunteer Award” was bestowed upon Board Member Kukpi7 Michael Christian. This annaul award is presented to a volunteer who has committed their time of service for over 5 years, showing both humility and commitment to the Foundation. Board Member Kukpi7 Michael Christian, a Sixties Scoop Survivor, has through his life experience exhibited the strength it takes to overcome adversity and how to keep moving forward in a positiveway, no matter what bumps we face along the way. It gives the foundation such an honor to present the 2026 Volunteer Award and blanket to Board Member Kukpi7 Michael Christian from the Board and Staff of the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, Congratulations! Kukpi7 Michael Christian. We look forward to having you walk beside us in the foundations path forward.
(NSSHFC Director of Finance and Operations Selina Legge, Board of Director Kukpi7 Michael Christian and Board Chair Shirley Cardinal)
(Board of Director Kukpi7 Michael Christian and Board Chair Shirley Cardinal)
( Julie, Brady, Tina, Terry, Glen Elder Leone Neville & Ian Card and Glen)
Day Three: Gathering on the Land at Wanuskewin
The final day brought the Foundation’s board and staff to Wanuskewin Heritage Park for a retreat rooted in land, culture and relationship. Wanuskewin has been a sacred gathering place for Northern Plains Indigenous peoples for more than 6,400 years. Its living landscape carries histories of ceremony, kinship, hunting, gathering and spirituality, making it a meaningful place to conclude an AGM centred on survivors and families. In this setting, participants reflected on the previous days, shared time together and considered how cultural knowledge and family connections can continue to guide the Foundation’s work. The gathering closed with a final meal and conversation, giving everyone an opportunity to remember what had been shared and strengthen the relationships that will carry the work forward.
Director of Finance and Operations Selina Legge participating in a symbolic tipi building ceremony
The 2026 AGM was more than a series of meetings. It was a family gathering shaped by ceremony, reunion and cultural continuity. From the opening prayers and community welcome to the Neville family dinner and the final retreat at Wanuskewin, each moment affirmed the importance of coming together on the land and with one another to honour the past, support healingin the present and build stronger connections for generations to come.
That evening, the gathering’s family focus came fully into view. Elder Leone Neville and new board member Ian Card were celebrated, and Board Director Chris Wagg shared a reunion video telling the story of a mother andson who had found one another again during the past year, with the Foundation privileged to support their journey. The reunion dinner that followed brought members of the Neville family brothers, sisters and loved ones together around the same table. It was an evening of stories, remembrance and belonging, and a powerful reminder that reunion is not a single moment but an ongoing process of rebuilding kinship, identity and community.
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