February 17, 2023, Ottawa – Members of the First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) and First Nations Housing Professionals Association (FNHPA) Board of Directors and executive leadership teams officially hold the Certified Indigenous Leadership (CIL) designation. The group completed the leadership training program offered by the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA).
AFOA celebrated successful candidates of the program and awarded the designations during its 2023 National Conference, which was hosted on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation in Ottawa, ON, February 14-16, 2023.
Members of the FNHMA Board of Directors and executive leadership team who received their CIL designations include:
David McLaren, CFNHM, President and Quebec Director
Patricia Thomson, CFNHM, Secretary-Treasurer and Saskatchewan Director
Marion Crowe, CFNHM, CAFM, CAPA, Chief Executive Officer
Connie Toulouse, Director of Corporate Services
Judith Eigenbrod, Director of Programs
“In preparation for our 10-year grant process we really wanted to equip our leadership with competencies measured by a partner organization, AFOA Canada,” said Marion Crowe, CEO of FNHMA. “This was the perfect opportunity to live our values in embracing professional development, learning with a social determinants of health lens in partnering with the FNHPA and getting 'by us, for us' certification! The FNHMA Board continues to lead by example—all are Certified First Nations Health Managers (CFNHM) and now some of our directors hold the CIL designation as well!”
Members of the FNHPA Board of Directors and executive leadership team who received their CIL designations include:
Darlene Marshall, FNHP, Atlantic Board Member, Chair of the Board
Roxanne Harper, FNHP, Ontario Board Member
Tabitha Eneas, FNHP, British Columbia Board Member
Candace Bennett, FNHP, Executive Director
“FNHPA wants to ensure that we are continually staying on top of new educational opportunities that will better equip the First Nation Housing Industry in communicating with their leaders. When this opportunity presented itself, it was a chance to learn how governance works in the community so when we create new materials, they will be in line with other standards being taught across the country,” said Candace Bennett, Executive Director of FNHPA. “It was also a great collaboration to earn this designation alongside one of our partners, the FNHMA, and we will utilize our knowledge to build tools and resources in support of healthy housing in communities.”
The Certified Indigenous Leadership (CIL) designation recognizes the knowledge, skills and professional development of elected officials enabling them to better perform their functions and build community prosperity and financial wellbeing. For more information about the Certified Indigenous Leadership program, visit afoa.ca.
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About the FNHMA
The First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) is responsible for providing training, certification, and professional development opportunities in First Nations health management and serves the needs of individuals working for or aspiring to health manager positions with First Nations organizations. The FNHMA offers a certification program leading to the Certified First Nations Health Manager (CFNHM) professional designation. In addition, FNHMA provides opportunities for knowledge sharing and access to ongoing professional development to increase knowledge and help graduates achieve their peak professional growth. FNHMA is committed to excellence in expanding health management capacity for First Nations organizations.
About the FNHPA
The First Nations Housing Professionals Association (FNHPA) is committed to excellence in expanding housing management capacity for First Nations organizations. FNHPA is a national, professional association exclusively serving the needs of individuals working for or aspiring to positions in housing with First Nations organizations, responsible for providing training, certification, and professional development opportunities in housing management.
FNHMA Media Contact:
Kylie Thompson
Marketing and Communications Officer
First Nations Health Managers Association