Awenen Nìnawind | Who We Are

Sàgàsige meaning “appearing, as the sun from behind clouds” in màmìwininìmowin (Algonquin language), reflects our priority to support expansion for optimal equitable outcomes for Indigenous People.

Founder, Faith Decontie

Faith Decontie was raised on her mother's Algonquin reserve of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Her dad is Assiniboine-Sioux Nakoda from Carry the Kettle reserve. She has spent the past decade working in First Nations communities, in the Public Service and with National Indigenous Organizations. Her skills range from specializing in policy advancement, research analysis, literature development, national coordination, program development and evaluation.

Her academic background ranges from Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Medical Anthropology with a focus on land-based healing methodologies and Direct Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on systematic cultural political identity dysphoria. 

Faith is currently completing a PhD degree in Anthropology at Aberdeen University. Her current research is focused on Indigenizing policy practices in the colonial settler state. Her dissertation reflects the importance of combining current on-going colonial systematic governance process with First Nations community-based policy practices.

 

Published Work and Achievements  

  • https://curve.carleton.ca/system/files/etd/286b6c56-e9ca-4565-af01-6c39cdfcc37d/etd_pdf/1ec3456bdab8d440d24951aa8ab25dbd/decontie-rememberingwhywesitatthetable.pdf  
  • https://capstoneseminarseries.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/faith-decontie-final-by-anne.pdf  
  • https://culturecanada.co.uk/honour-song-indigenous-perspectives/?fbclid=IwAR0RkcmmFBd6EMj_1SXR8ubqEoEL1jBjA_3N4oHMEyJtR1YaKNLDLWU9b00

 

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund, Tammy Chen Memorial Scholarship 2022 – 2023

  • https://www.canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk/project/faith-decontie-2022/  

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund, Tammy Chen Memorial Scholarship 2023 – 2024

  • https://www.canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk/project/faith-decontie-2023/     
  • https://www.canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CCSF-Faith-Decontie-2023-final.pdf 

 

Enhancing Project Expansion Navigator,       Autumn Decontie

Autumn Decontie was raised on her mother's Algonquin reserve of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Her father is Ojibway from Walpole Island. Her skills range from specializing in enhancing education development, project enhancement, teaching and Algonquin language holder.  

Autumn is currently completing a Bachelor of Education degree at Université Du Québec En Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Her research is focused on Indigenizing education practices in settler institutions and expanding Anishinabeg methodologies on-reserve. Her education initiatives reflect the importance of working together within the on-going colonial education systems with First Nations community-based practices.