Our board members are all members of the Indigenous community.
Chair
Alison Kiawenniserathe Benedict, PhD candidate in Cultural Studies
Alison Kiawenniserathe (Bright Day) Benedict, MSW, RSW, is Kanien'kehá:ka from Akwesasne, Wolf Clan. The roots and inspiration of her life and work come from the teachings of the Peacemaker. Her professional experience has focused primarily on Indigenous communities throughout Turtle Island, as a helper, educator and advocate.
She has worked with mainstream/colonial institutions, helping them understand the strengths of Indigenous culture, what happened to Indigenous peoples (through a trauma-informed approach), and taught about the diversity between and within First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Alison’s training approach is wholistic, experiential and inclusive, incorporating traditional teachings from culturally diverse Elders, alongside Western evidence-based practices.
Vice Chair
Laura Maracle, Cultural Coordinator, Family and Child Services Lennox & Addington
Treasurer
Aaron St. Pierre, Chief Administrative Officer, Moose Deer Point First Nation
Aaron St Pierre is Anishinaabe and grew up in Moose Deer Point First Nation, where he was raised for many years by his maternal grandmother who was the local Anishinaabemowin teacher. Aaron currently lives in Kingston where he currently works for Woodland Wealth, an Indigenous owned and operated wealth advisory firm. Aaron has been involved with the Kingston Indigenous community over the last 5 years through his previous work at Queen's University, and as a Board Director for KNCLN, Tipi Moza, and the Kingston and Frontenac Housing Corporation. Aaron has an MBA and over ten years of professional experience in management and finance working for a variety of urban Indigenous organizations across Turtle Island, and is happy to support KNCLN as its Board Treasurer.
Secretary
Vicki Babcock, RECE, Language & Cultural Leader, Kahwá:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs
Vicki Babcock is a registered Early Childhood Educator and works with Kahwa:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte) as a language and cultural coordinator. Language and children are a passion for her, and she believes in the power of language to connect speakers to their culture and to change their worldview. Vicki has been a part of the KNCLN board for many years (via its predecessor, Kingston Language Nest) and her work with Kahwa:tsire regularly offers opportunities to partner with KNCLN on language programming. Vicki is Anishinaabe from Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and is a learner of Anishnaabemowin.
Members
Grandmother Kathy Brant, Katarokwi Grandmother’s Council; Indigenous Community Development Worker, Kingston Community Health Centre
Grandmother Kathy Brant is Haudenosaunee (grandparent), and Traditional teacher and mentor, from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and she is from the Bear Clan who are known as medicine people. As a cook, she is known for her expertise in the cooking of Traditional foods like corn, beans and squash, wild rice, and wild meat. She is passionate about educating/talking about her people, her Mohawk Culture and traditions and her life’s journey. She has also worked in the Indigenous Health field for more than 25 years and has been a strong advocate in Diabetes prevention and health promotion. It is her life’s mission to educate and enlighten others about the historical, multi-generational and lived trauma that helped shape her people and her personal life as a loving, positive, peaceful Grandmother today.
She was taught by Elders from Six Nations, Kahnawake, Akwesasne and Anishnawbe Elders from Treaty Three area where she spent 7 years. Grandmother Kathy believes it is a privilege to pass on the teachings of the Great Law of Peace and teach how to bring those concepts of philosophy, wellbeing, respect, and living in balance with all the elements of Creation.
Sharing these values and teachings, helps with individuals and groups to deal with life direction, stress, relationships and personal healing journeys to understand who we are and our purpose here.
Grandmother Kathy works as the Indigenous Grandmother in Residence at Kingston Community Health Centres at their Kingston and Napanee sites, bringing the Indigenous community in for Indigenous teachings at drum circles and talking circles. She also has a position as the Grand Theatre’s first Indigenous Grandmother in Residence and informs the public on the local Indigenous People in the area.
In her spare time Kathy is a Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, sister and Auntie and she enjoys cooking, sewing, practicing Therapeutic Touch and most of all being a Grandmother to her seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and four grantchildren in the Spirit World.
Shyanne Brant, Indigenous Programs Coordinator, Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle
Shyanne Brant is an accomplished professional who applies her diverse skill set to serve her community. She currently serves as the Indigenous Victims Coordinator at the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, leveraging her expertise to advocate for and assist Indigenous victims of crime and contributing to multiple MBQ departments. She also holds significant experience in arts, contributing works to Bellevue House and through the Prince Edward County Arts Council Indigenous Voices program, and past experience working in Indigenous homelessness and labour development.
Shyanne holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work from Laurentian University and is presently pursuing her Master of Indigenous Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her academic and professional journey reflects her dedication to advancing Indigenous social work practices and fostering positive change through her involvement with organizations such as KNCLN.