ROM Indigenous Advisory Circle

The Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) was established in 2014 and is comprised of 6-8 members who meet each season to provide recommendations to the ROM School Programs' Indigenous education objectives and advise on other Museum initiatives as requested. The IAC representation is a mix of urban, rural, and remote communities that come from distinct Indigenous cultures and abilities. Members include elders, knowledge carriers, educators, artists, French speakers, youth, and allies with cross-disciplinary knowledges and interests in the arts, sciences, and technology.

Current Indigenous Advisory Circle Members

  • Amber Sandy
    Amber Sandy
    Conservation and Environmental Science, Chippewas of First Nation, IAC member since 2017
  • ann_brascoupe.jpg
    Ann Brascoupé
    Sole Proprietor of What’s Up Promotions, Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg, Quebec, IAC member since 2017
  • bob_bressette.jpg
    Bob Bressette
    Vice Principal, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, IAC member since 2019
  • holly_groome.jpg
    Holly Groome
    Aboriginal Curriculum Consultant, Trillium Lakelands District School Board, IAC member since 2017
  • lorrie_gallant.jpg
    Lorrie Gallant
    Writer, Illustrator, Storyteller, Visual Artist, Educator, and Expressive Arts Practitioner, Cayuga Nation from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, IAC member since 2019
  • louise_profeit-leblanc.jpg
    Louise Profeit-LeBlanc
    Former Aboriginal Arts Coordinator, Canada Council for the Arts, T’sé Duna, Nacho N'yak Dun First Nation from Mayo in Northeastern Yukon, IAC member since 2017 
  • sarabeth_holden.jpg
    Sarabeth Holden
    President of the Toronto Inuit Association, Inuk from Nunavut, IAC member since 2017
  • taunya_paquette.jpg
    Taunya Paquette
    Director of Indigenous Education with the Ontario Ministry of Education, Biidaaban Giizis Kwe- Rising Sun Woman, Turtle Clan from Saugeen First Nation, IAC member since 2018

ROM Staff

  • Leslie McCue
    Arts Educator and Artist from Curve Lake First Nation, IAC since 2014
  • swarupa_anila.jpg
    Swarupa Anila
    Senior Vice President for Exhibition & Gallery Development, IAC member since 2020

Past Indigenous Advisory Circle Members

  • Santanna Francis, Teacher, Ojibway Anishnaabe kwe from Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, 2018-2020
  • Marilyn Maychak, Former Student Achievement Officer, Ministry of Education, Inuk and Polish-Ukrainian, 2017-2019
  • Suzanne Methot, Aboriginal Education Consultant, Dragonfly Consulting Services Canada, Rocky Mountain Cree, 2014-2019
  • Bryan Assinewe, Teacher, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation in Northern Ontario, 2014-2018
  • Pamela Tyee, Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014-2017
  • Chantal Côté, former Education Officer/Analyst for Métis Nation of Ontario, 2014-2016
  • Jules Koostachin, Award-winning Cree Filmmaker, Attawapiskat First Nation, 2014-2016

Past ROM Staff 

  • J'net AyAyQwaYak-Sheelth, 2014-2021
  • Sarah Chu, 2020-2021 
  • Brendan Edwards, Former Head, Library and Archives, 2018-2020
  • Wendy Ng, Former Manager, Learning, 2014-2019
  • Arni Brownstone, Assistant Curator, Anthropology, 2017-2019
  • Kenneth Lister, Former Assistant Curator, Anthropology, 2014-2017

Past Indigenous Youth ROM Support Staff

  • Jada Reynolds-Tabobondung, Indigenous Digital Learning Intern, Jamaica and Ojibway mixed ancestry, 2019-2020
  • Kristy Inglese, Kiowa Wind Memorial (KWM) Indigenous Youth Intern, Moose Cree First Nation, 2019-2020
  • Carly Brascoupé, Kiowa Wind Memorial (KWM) Indigenous Youth Intern, Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and Anishnabwe from Batchawana Bay First Nation, 2018-2019 
  • Devlin Williams, Indigenous Digital Learning Intern, Jamaican and Sakimay First Nations descent, 2018-2019
  • Summer Manning-Catt, Kiowa Wind Memorial (KWM) Indigenous Youth Intern, Anishnawbe from Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, 2017-2018
  • Justin Chiblow, Kiowa Wind Memorial (KWM) Indigenous Youth Intern, Ojibway North Shore, Mississauga Nation, 2016-2017
  • The Late Kiowa Wind McComb, Fallen-Warrior, Inaugural Indigenous Youth Intern, 2015-2016

Authored by: Cheryl Fraser