Georgie Horton Baptiste, President
Georgie is a Saulteaux Anishinaabe Ikwe whose roots come from Manitou Rapids Rainy River First Nation, but grew up in Bancroft and Peterborough. She is an Electrical CAD Technician and has been a part of the urban Aboriginal community in Nogojiwanong for the past 16 years. She accepted a position on the Board of Directors in May 2015 and has stated that “it’s an honor to be a part of the rebuilding of the Friendship Centre.” Georgie is committed to help make the Friendship Centre a welcoming space for our youth and families. Her other passions are photography and travel, often combining the two which has resulted in a few photo exhibits. When time permits, Georgie hopes to tell the stories of our people through the lens of her camera.
David Newhouse, Vice President
David Newhouse is Onondaga from the Six Nations of the Grand River near Brantford, Ontario. David has a long history (1970’s to now) in the Friendship Centre Movement, serving on three Friendship Centre Boards, as well as the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres and the National Association of Friendship Centres. Currently, David is Chair of the Department of Indigenous Studies at Trent and an Associate Professor in the Business Administration Program. His research interests focus on the emergence of modern Aboriginal society. He lives with his partner in Peterborough’s Ashburnham Village and is very passionate in giving back to the Friendship Centre and its community in return for opportunities and good training that he had received over the years.
Adam Hopkins, Treasurer
Information coming soon…
Ashley Wynne, Secretary
Ashley Wynne is an Anishinaabe woman belonging to the turtle clan. She is from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario with roots from Brunswick House First Nations. She currently lives in Peterborough with her husband and 4 children. Ashley and her family have been members of the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre for 7 years. Ashley has been on The Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Board of Directors for 2 years filling the Secretary position and is honoured to be able to give back to the community in this way. Ashley is an Early Childhood Educator and Recreation and Leisure Services graduate from Fleming College and enjoys learning her lost language and culture. Ashley has a passion to share what she actively learns about her language and culture with her family and other families in a fun engaging way.
Liz Stone, Director
Biography coming soon…
Rae Gibeault, Director
Rae Gibeault (Anishinaabe) identifies as an Urban Indigenous Kwe whose roots come from Wasauksing First Nation, Mkwa Clan. Rae grew up in the Durham Region area & with the support of her adopted family (60s Scoop) was able to reconnect with her traditional home & family as a young adult. Nogojiwanong has been her home base for the last two decades as she works for Trent University: Office of the Registrar, specializing in the field of Enrollment Services. Rae is passionate about Indigenous Arts, Language, Drumming & her urban Indigenous community.
In addition to working, Rae has volunteered with the following: Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle, Trent University Alumni Association: Indigenous Representative, OPSEU Steward/Indigenous Circle, Peterborough Native Learning Program, Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society: Foster Parent & Cultural Speaker, Host Family for Northern Youth Abroad Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Indigenous & Political Studies, as well as a post-graduate degree in Human Resources Management. Proud of her work, and academic & volunteer accomplishments, Rae values her role as Mom as her greatest achievement.
Shenoa Christie Poirier, Youth Director
Shenoa Christie Poirier is an Anishinaabe Kwe with roots in Brunswick House First Nations and the Red River Settlement. She belongs to the Bear Clan and is a visitor here on Michi Saakig Nishnaabeg, Treaty #20 territory. Born and raised on unceded Algonquin territory, Shenoa was raised by two generations of First Nation women. She is currently in her third year of Indigenous studies at Trent University, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA and made meaningful connections within the community. Shenoa is a lifelong learner, community member, and granddaughter of a Sixties Scoop Survivor. She takes responsibility for healing intergenerational traumas, advocating for positive and effective changes, and reclaiming her urban Indigenous identity.