Robert Maytwayashing

Board Member-Traditional Teacher & Community Elder

Robert Maytwayashing is an Anishinaabe from the Lake Manitoba Treaty 2 First Nation, where he raised three children and is now a grandfather to eleven. His diverse 40-year career spans First Nations governance, health, economic development, and more. After raising beef for a decade, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with an Agricultural Diploma in 1990 and received a Certificate of Merit in 2021.

Robert served ten years on the band council and was elected Chief for two years. He has held various roles, including health director and Senior Health Policy Analyst. Currently, he is the Indigenous Human Resources Development Officer and Regional Knowledge Keeper for the Interlake Regional Health Authority, providing Indigenous Cultural Awareness training.

In addition to his professional roles, Robert’s traditional identity includes skills as a hunter, trapper, gatherer, and ice fisherman, along with active participation in traditional ceremonies. He is recognized as an Elder/Knowledge Keeper within his community, bringing a well-rounded Indigenous perspective.

Mike Schwartz

Board Member-Treasurer & Retired Certified Accountant

Mike Schwartz retired from Great-West Life Assurance Company (recently rebranded Canada Life) at the end of 2018 after a long, successful career.  Mike began in financial roles, having achieved his Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant designations.  In 1998 he shifted course to lead customer service operations.  As Senior Vice-President Group Benefits, Mike led life, disability and health claims and contact centre operations, comprising over 2,700 staff in offices across Canada.  In 2015 Mike again changed course, joining a new team as Senior Vice-President Transformation and Operational Excellence, where he led a number of transformational change initiatives.  Over his diverse career, Mike gained deep experience in many areas, including technology and other projects, and strategic, financial, staff and service leadership.   

Mike also contributed in a broader context.  Mike led formation of Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, a public service initiative of Canada Life providing free resources towards improving workplace mental health, serving as Executive Director from its launch in 2007 until 2015.  Mike noted indigenous people were underrepresented in his service organization, and reached out to AMIK, which provides indigenous engagement services.  With AMIK’s support, Canada Life has increased its recruiting from the indigenous community.  On retirement, Mike was honoured with a spirit name, Nibing Noodin (Summer Wind), in recognition of his support.  Mike continues an interest in indigenous recruiting and reconciliation in his post-retirement life. 

Rebecca Sinclair

Board Member-Policy & Research Analyst

Rebecca Sinclair (she/her/iskwêw) is a Research Manager on the Indigenous Knowledge Research team at The Firelight Group. She is a member of Little Saskatchewan First Nation and Barren Lands First Nation in Manitoba, working remotely on Treaty One Territory. She is completing a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba. Rebecca recently held the role of Executive Director at the Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research Centre of Manitoba (T.A.R.R.). Rebecca has extensive experience with Indigenous-led research, international and national climate policy, land-based learning, board governance, mentorship, and leadership. She also has strong working knowledge of archival, and historical research. Rebecca pursues higher learning that comes from the land and through learning alongside knowledge keepers. Her childhood spent on the land in northern Manitoba, has shaped her understanding and guided her efforts in every aspect of the work she does.

Leticia Wabash

Board Member &

Associate- Maurice Law

Leticia Wabash is an Anishinaabe from Waywayseecappo First Nation in Treaty 4 territory. She is currently an Associate at Maurice Law, specializing in Aboriginal Law and Civil Litigation, and has experience in Criminal and Human Rights Law. Leticia earned her law degree from Lakehead University in 2023, having previously obtained a B.A. in Native Studies and Psychology from the University of Manitoba and completed a legal assistant program at Red River College.

During law school, she was President of the Lakehead Indigenous Law Student’s Association, organized events, and contributed to the Mino-Waabandan Inaakonigewinan Indigenous Law and Justice Institute. She helped establish an Indigenous Human Rights Clinic with Pro Bono Students Canada and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, and worked with the Kenora Crown's Office to set up the Kenora Justice Centre.

Before law school, Leticia worked as an operations and team assistant at AMIK and supported survivors of intergenerational trauma with Anish Corporation. Her experiences have deepened her commitment to improving access to justice in Indigenous communities. She is also connected to her culture through square dance and Red River jigging competitions and has lived in various Canadian provinces. Leticia aims to promote land-based learning and advance truth and reconciliation efforts, alongside Indigenous laws and traditions.