Advancing Indigenous Children’s Rights: CEO Wayne Garnons-Williams in Ecuador
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ontario Akwesasne, March 13, 2026
In January, Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams represented the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada (NSSHFC) in Ecuador for a productive series of meetings focused on advancing the rights and protections of Indigenous children within existing international legal frameworks.
Image from left to right: Marlon Vargas, President of CONAIE, Rosa Minga, Leader of Women and Family, NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams, Ercilia Castaneda, Vice President and Gilberto Grefa, Head of Health and Nutrition.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
During his visit, Mr. Garnons-Williams met with leadership from the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), including Marlon Vargas, President of CONAIE; Ercilia Castaneda, Vice President; Rosa Minga, Leader of Women and Family; and Gilberto Grefa, Head of Health and Nutrition. These discussions centred on reinforcing Indigenous children’s rights, addressing systemic vulnerabilities, and identifying opportunities for collective action at both national and international levels.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
During his visit, Mr. Garnons-Williams met with leadership from the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), including Marlon Vargas, President of CONAIE; Ercilia Castaneda, Vice President; Rosa Minga, Leader of Women and Family; and Gilberto Grefa, Head of Health and Nutrition. These discussions centred on reinforcing Indigenous children’s rights, addressing systemic vulnerabilities, and identifying opportunities for collective action at both national and international levels.
Image from left to right: Ercilia Castaneda, Vice President, CONAIE & NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
CONAIE leadership shared the pressing challenges facing Indigenous youth and families in Ecuador, including experiences that echo the forced removal and displacement of Indigenous children seen globally. These conversations revealed striking parallels to the Sixties Scoop in Canada, underscoring the shared impacts of colonial child welfare systems and the ongoing need for accountability, prevention, and healing.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
CONAIE leadership shared the pressing challenges facing Indigenous youth and families in Ecuador, including experiences that echo the forced removal and displacement of Indigenous children seen globally. These conversations revealed striking parallels to the Sixties Scoop in Canada, underscoring the shared impacts of colonial child welfare systems and the ongoing need for accountability, prevention, and healing.
Image from left to right: NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams and Sinchi Warmi, Director, Amazon Lodge.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Beyond formal meetings, Mr. Garnons-Williams participated in events and gatherings with Indigenous Ecuadorian families, engaging in open dialogue on Indigenous children’s rights, economic prosperity, and social justice. These conversations were held in anticipation of the emerging Canada–Ecuador Trade Agreement, highlighting the importance of ensuring Indigenous rights and protections remain central within international economic and political relationships.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Beyond formal meetings, Mr. Garnons-Williams participated in events and gatherings with Indigenous Ecuadorian families, engaging in open dialogue on Indigenous children’s rights, economic prosperity, and social justice. These conversations were held in anticipation of the emerging Canada–Ecuador Trade Agreement, highlighting the importance of ensuring Indigenous rights and protections remain central within international economic and political relationships.
Image from left to right: NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams & Government of Ecuador, Indigenous Liaison, Carlos Cabrera
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
This visit marked an important step toward building cross-border relationships and developing a shared course of action to protect Indigenous children. The Foundation’s international engagement reflects its broader mandate to ensure the lived experiences of Sixties Scoop Survivors inform global conversations on Indigenous child welfare, self-determination, and justice.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
This visit marked an important step toward building cross-border relationships and developing a shared course of action to protect Indigenous children. The Foundation’s international engagement reflects its broader mandate to ensure the lived experiences of Sixties Scoop Survivors inform global conversations on Indigenous child welfare, self-determination, and justice.
Image from left to right: Humberto Lema, Jose Delgado, NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams and Carlos Noboa.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
As the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada continues its work nationally and internationally, these discussions in Ecuador reinforce a critical truth: the protection of Indigenous children is a shared global responsibility one that requires collaboration, advocacy, and sustained commitment.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
As the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada continues its work nationally and internationally, these discussions in Ecuador reinforce a critical truth: the protection of Indigenous children is a shared global responsibility one that requires collaboration, advocacy, and sustained commitment.
Image from left to right: Brian Solorzano, Ramesh Chaitoo, NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams and Victor Panchi.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Image from left to right: NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams & Adela, Muenala Moreta.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Image: Listening to the local Indigenous community spiritual leader provide his insights and blessings on behalf of the assembled community.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Image: A traditional local Indigenous feast is prepared through placing the food in the ground with heated stones and moister so that the various foods are cooked with steam heat from the hotrocks.
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Image from left to right: Local Indigenous Community Spiritual Leader, NSSHFC Chief Executive Officer Wayne Garnons-Williams
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
Photo credit: Wayne Garnons-Williams
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For more information on the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, please visit our website here: https://www.sixtiesscoophealingfoundation.ca/