Kenora Catholic welcomes Jeffrey White to the position of First Nation Trustee.
(Wednesday, June 19, 2019) - There will be a new face at Kenora Catholic's Boardroom table. Jeffrey White from Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay) was appointed as the Board's new First Nation Trustee at the June 18th Board Meeting, where he signed his Solemn Declaration and Oath of Allegiance. White fills a six-year vacancy left by the former trustee who held the position from 2007 to 2013.
White will represent the interests of Indigenous students and families.
Kenora Catholic's enrolment statistics show that Indigenous students make up a significant portion of the student population, which includes education agreements with eight First Nation communities. The board has a voluntary self-identification process established to support the success of First Nation, Métis and Inuit students.
"I am proud to welcome Jeffrey White to the Board of Trustees," says Teresa Gallik, Chair. "We have searched for a long time for someone to fulfill this important role and we are thankful to everyone, including our First Nation communities, for working with us to bring forward Jeffrey White as the new First Nation Trustee. His appointment comes at a critical time as we move forward with our new strategic plan. We look forward to the experience and perspective that he will bring as we move forward with our strategic vision for 2020 - 2025."
"I am very honoured and humbled by this appointment and will do my best to serve the children and youth at Kenora Catholic," says White. "I want to be able to provide a voice for our students and assist them as they grow into well-educated members of our community that help their fellow human beings."
Jeffrey White is a Catholic and is also proud to be a traditional person and first Midewin and explains that it's a way of life to ensure you live your life the way the Creator intended and never hurt anyone and nobody will ever hurt you. "What the Midewin ceremony does is to live in harmony and peace with not only your fellow human beings but also nature, the animals, the trees, the water and the land. You are gifted with many teachings and as you learn, you go through another door. My philosophy in life is to be humble and happy and everything else falls into place once I do that."
White has been a mental health and addictions counselor for the past eight years. He is the proud father of three teenagers and a proud grandfather to Jakob (noozhiis). White and his partner Chrysta, integrate life lessons and teachings to their children and enjoy time as a family. They look forward to every opportunity to get outdoors for camping, fishing, campfires, hot dog roasts and gardening.
For More Information Please Contact
Trina Henley
Executive Assistant to the Director & Communications Officer
p: 807-468-9851
e: [email protected]