The AFOA Canada Board of Directors approved the following nominee to stand for election at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Members to fill one vacant position. All members in good standing are eligible to vote. Please renew your membership or join to ensure your vote counts.

Sharon Stevenson, BA, HBA, CAFM, CAPA, CIHRP, ICD

Meshakay Kinew – Swooping Eagle

“The strength of the community comes from within.”

Born and raised on the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, Sharon strives to share her knowledge, education, resources, skills and time with a variety of local groups and government departments in Peguis, regionally and nationally. She continued her post-secondary education at the University of Manitoba, after graduating from Peguis Central School, which had just undertaken local control of Indian education. She then attended the University of Western Ontario, Ivey School of Business, as the first Indigenous female student. Always looking for new skills and training, Sharon pursued her CAFM, CAPA & CIHRP designations with AFOA Canada. She also attended the Harvard Business School Executive Education program ‘Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities’. She has complemented her education with a Project Management Program certificate and the Institute of Corporate Directors training. Sharon had the goals to pursue Banking experience with the Royal Bank, and knowledge of the workings of the Federal Government during her time with Indian Affairs Headquarters, for her eventual return to Peguis after having accumulated this knowledge and experience. Sharon has many years in the financial management field, having held a position as Finance Manager for the Peguis First Nation Education and Finance departments. As an elected Peguis Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Financial Trustee, Sharon has taken on the role with full vigor and commitment to learning all that she can about the Trust industry and getting to know the representatives, Investment Managers, Corporate partners and other community trusts. She enjoys sharing her skills and experiences at the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA) and AFOA Canada conferences. Currently, she is the Trust Manager for the Peguis Surrender Claim Trust, overseeing a multi-million-dollar community Trust and assisting and supporting the membership of Peguis achieve their dreams and visions. It is important to know where we have come from, to determine who we are and where we are going, so we can walk together into our future. Sharon resides in Peguis with her husband, Howard French, a member of the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation. Their children Kiinnan, Aniike and granddaughter Binidee currently reside in Winnipeg. Always looking for new challenges and opportunities, Sharon is leading the way for Indigenous people to take charge of their dreams and future. A great person to get to know.