Debra Keaney
President
Debra Keaney, President for the Credit River Métis Council was born and raised in Toronto and currently resides in Oakville Ontario. She is a descendant of Drummond Island’s Francois Denys-De Laronde and Madeleine Pewadjiwonokwe whom eventually settled in Penetanguishene. Making Georgian Bay her traditional territory. She has been on council since 2017 as a Councilor, Secretary and Women’s Representative. After her first healing blanket workshop she knew she wanted to join council and proudly represent Métis citizens. She is honoured to be President of the Credit River Métis Council. Looking forward to meeting all of you in the near future.
Makenzie Simmons
Chair
Makenzie has been a member of the CRMC since 2021, serving as the Youth Representative and, most recently, as Chair. Over the years, she has assisted with various events and provided support to both the council and the community whenever possible. She enjoys creating beadwork, a passion that began after attending a workshop. Now, beadwork occupies most of her time. Although her family comes from the Mattawa/Lake Nipissing area, they are now spread out across the homelands.
Pat Gasparro
Senator
Pat Gasparro, Senator for the Credit River Métis Council, has volunteered for many organizations over the years. He is a proud Métis Nation of Ontario citizen, with his ancestral roots in Francois Dusome, Francoise Clermont, Louis Chevrette, and Marguerite Souliere. Being an avid outdoors person, Pat frequently visits Mother Earth’s rivers, lakes and trails, appreciating her seasonal cycles and circles of life. Pat pays particular attention to the regions he grew up in, from the lands and waters between the Nottawasaga River and Waubaushene. Pat is married with four children, living in Mississauga. His education included some at Seneca College, and he is a retired martial artist.
Diana Boucher
Secretary
Diana Boucher is a proud descendant of Francois Denys-De Laronde and Madeleine Pewadjiwonokwe, whose family settled in Penetanguishene following their departure from Drummond Island. She immediately knew she had a place in the community following her volunteer work with the council. She is honoured to serve the citizens of Credit River in her position as secretary.
Brittany Broad
Treasurer
Brittany Broad, Treasurer for the Credit River Métis Council, has a business background and comes with a lot of knowledge behind her. She only recently learned of her Métis heritage and is very eager to continue to broaden her knowledge about her Métis family and is excited to get to know the Credit River community.
Samantha Brabant
Women’s Representative
Born in Toronto to Metis and Italian parents, Samantha’s roots trace back to a lineage
deeply connected to the land. Her grandfather’s parents (Anishnawbe & Metis)
established a homestead in what is now Awenda Provincial Park after being displaced
from Drummond Island. Today, like many Metis families in Ontario, most of her relatives
reside in Penetanguishene.
Samantha is working towards her Social Service Worker Diploma at Seneca Polytechnic
intending to continue in her studies to obtain a degree in Mental Health & Addictions.
She is actively involved in cultural practices such as beading and ceremony, which are
integral to her identity and healing journey.
While attending a workshop at the CRMC offices, she was informed of a vacancy on the
council. Grateful for the opportunity to give back to her community she is now the
Women’s Representative. Samantha is here to help others reclaim their culture and find
their way to Mino Bimaadzawin (the Good Life). creditriverwomensrep@gmail.com
Collette Lamonday
Councillor
Hi…I’m Collette. I love traveling, trying new food, my family, especially my 9 year old daughter Sofie and learning more about my Metis culture. During the summer months, I’ll be playing volleyball and trying to be outdoors as much as possible.
Natalie DesChene
Councillor
Natalie DesChene-Stoddart, is proud to sit as 2nd Councilor at Large for the Credit River Métis Council. Her Cree/Ojibwe Métis roots go back to her Grand-mère’s family in Virden, Manitoba, then Lake of the Woods, Ontario. Natalie’s parents settled in Sault Ste. Marie, but the family spent every spring until fall at the camp they built in virgin forest at Ranger Lake. She spent her youth canoeing, fishing, foraging, tending the firepit, stargazing, all while learning Métis crafts, looming and beadwork. Now in Mississauga, Natalie explores her culture through canning, bread making, and traditional recipes. Anything artistic, from her illustrations to her stories and poetry, also explore her life and culture. She is proudly married with her 2 daughters and their beloved Yorkie “Wolfia.”
Raven Stoddart
Youth Representative
Raven Stoddart was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She is Métis on her mother’s side, with her lineage descending from Red River (Manitoba), and a settler on her father’s side. Raven has always wanted to be involved in her Métis community to share in cultural traditions and acquire knowledge to pass down to other youth. She is thrilled to act as the current Youth Representative for the Credit River Métis Council where she hopes to form lifelong connections and represent Métis youth in the community.