Women’s Council
The Women’s Council was established in 2014 as a result of female representatives from FHQTC First Nations advocating for a dedicated group to advocate for and create awareness of key issues facing women and children. The Women’s Council thus began as representation from each of the 11 member First Nations. Each Women’s Council member is presently serving as a “community champion” for strengthening and initiating change within their home community.
In 2019 the Women’s Council was formally brought under the FHQTC structure.
For FHQTC First Nations collectively (on and off reserve), women and children make up 64% of the total population (data provided by ISC Indian Registry 2024).
Vision
To promote and foster a positive healthy home environment for women and children in our member First Nations to help build stronger communities.
Mandate
This core group of women leaders are committed to promoting and advocating the building of capacity to support and protect the right of First Nations’ women and children via:
- advocating for women’s leadership at all levels of the FHQTC, in our communities, locally, provincially, and nationally;
- increasing and supporting the active participation of women in influencing FHQTC to build stronger communities and a stronger Tribal Council; and
- advocating for and promoting women’s issues, equality, and human rights based on the spirit and intent of our Treaties and inherent right of self-determination;
- assisting First Nation women in the revival and re-institution of their spiritual beliefs, culture and language, customs, and traditions;
- facilitating and enhancing the social, economic, and political status of First Nations women in contemporary society as well as in their respective communities;
- acting in an advocacy capacity for advancing the individual and collective rights of all First Nations women;
- actively promoting and enhancing the well-being of diverse First Nation families in mainstream society.
Women’s Council Members - 2024-2025
FHQTC Female Chiefs
Chief Carolyn Wahobin,
Nekaneet First Nation
Chief Melissa Tavita,
Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation
Chief Ellen B. LeCaine,
Wood Mountain Lakota Nation
Representatives
Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation
Tamara Thomson
Little Black Bear Band
Joel Bellegarde
Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation
Rhonda Rosebluff
Joyce Keepness
Nekaneet First Nation
Roberta Francis
Okanese First Nation
Darlene Stonechild
Pasqua First Nation
Beverly Chicoose
Janova Pasqua
Cathie Johns-Wick
Peepeekisis Cree Nation
Cicely Poitras
Linda Poitras
Piapot First Nation
Marilyn Kaiswatum
Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation
Minnie Ryder
Star Blanket Cree Nation
Cathy Stonechild
Wood Mountain Lakota Nation
Vacant
Ex-Officio
Marilyn Keepness
Life Speakers
Alice Pahtayken,
Nekaneet First Nation
Ethel Starblanket,
Star Blanket Cree Nation
Chief Carolyn Wahobin,
Nekaneet First Nation
Chief Melissa Tavita,
Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation
Chief Ellen B. LeCaine,
Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation
Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation
Tamara Thomson
Little Black Bear’s Band
Joel Bellegarde
Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation
Rhonda Rosebluff
Joyce Keepness
Nekaneet First Nation
Roberta Francis
Okanese First Nation
Darlene Stonechild
Pasqua First Nation
Beverly Chicoose
Janova Pasqua
Cathie Johns-Wick
Peepeekisis Cree Nation
Cicely Poitras
Linda Poitras
Piapot First Nation
Marilyn Kaiswatum
Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation
Minnie Ryder
Star Blanket Cree Nation
Cathy Stonechild
Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation
Vacant
Ex-Officio
Marilyn Keepness
Alice Pahtayken,
Nekaneet First Nation
Ethel Starblanket,
Star Blanket Cree Nation
Strategic Plan Focus
The Women’s Council focuses its efforts on strategic activities and partners with various businesses and governments and key community stakeholders to raise awareness.
The focus for the past number of years has been on:
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
- Violence and Exploitation of Women and Children
- Addictions
