Erin Downey (She/Her) has been with the department for 5 years and has worked with the NIEDB for most of that time.
Before her move to the public sector, Erin had a long and varied career in media research, production and as arts administrator.
Erin graduated from McGill University with an honours BA in Political Science. She had always had a strong interest in Indigenous rights and feels privileged to work as part of the NIEDB Secretariat, supporting the National Board as it advances its vision of a world where Indigenous Peoples have achieved economic parity with non-Indigenous Canadians.
Carolynn Sweeney-Beebe (She/Her) is the NIEDB’s Event Coordinator, and ensures all the logistics for quarterly board meetings are in place, as well as logistics for Standing Committee sessions and other appearances. She has been with the federal government for over 30 years in administrative, human resources and financial roles. She strives to be helpful and takes care of those around her with kindness and friendly gestures (always with a smile!).
Carolynn is remarried to her husband, Marc, who helped her raise her three children. They reside in the beautiful Laurentians of Québec with their dogs. They live on a large acreage where they are learning to be more self-sufficient. This involves making their own maple syrup, beekeeping, raising chickens, growing their own vegetable gardens and flowers that attract the spring hummingbirds and butterflies.
Penny Lee Colbourne (She/Her) is the Economic Development Communications Advisor for the NIEDB. She joined the team in 2024 after seven rewarding years working with the Canadian Human Rights Commission as a Communications Advisor.
Prior to joining the public service, Penny enjoyed an exciting 20+ year career in TV and Documentary production as a Director, Producer and Researcher. From filming polar bears in the Arctic and fighter jets in the Middle East, to factual TV programs for kids, every production opened a window into a fascinating new world. She has also worked as a Researcher for CBC News and Global Television, and as an Arts Reporter for CTV News in Montreal.
Growing up, Penny lived in multiple towns, cities and provinces across Canada, spending every summer with family in Northern Alberta and finally landing in Montreal as a teenager. She believes strongly that this country’s strength lies in its diversity, its respect for equality and human rights for all, and most importantly, in its work towards meaningful reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. She is grateful to live and work on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People and acknowledges and honours their presence on Turtle Island since time immemorial.
Lindsay Mellon (She/Her) is the Senior Policy Advisor to the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. Lindsay has worked in Indigenous policy for almost a decade and is passionate about promoting renewed nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Inuit-crown relationships based on the recognition of rights, cooperation and partnerships. She has been fortunate enough throughout her career to travel to many Indigenous communities across Canada learning about their unique histories, realities, and traditions. She uses this lived experience to support the National Indigenous Economic Development Board as they continue to support the economic success of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada.
Prior to her government career, Lindsay attended Algonquin College where she obtained a diploma in police foundations. She later attended Bishop’s University where she graduated with a Double Major in Criminology and Psychology. She was born and raised in Aylmer, Quebec, on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People and acknowledges and honours her presence on this land. Lindsay feels very privileged to have been given the opportunity to support the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, and their vision of a vibrant Indigenous economy where Indigenous Peoples are economically self-sufficient and prosperous.
Fadi Cherri (He/Him) first joined the public service as an interviewer with Statistics Canada, to work on the 2016 Census. As part of this experience, he travelled to the northern Cree communities residing on the eastern shores of James Bay and spent significant time living and working in the North. The beauty of these lands and, especially, the generosity and hospitality of its people convinced him to pursue a career with the public service.
Fadi graduated from Concordia University with an honours BA in Sociology and pursued a Masters in Public Policy and Public Administration.
Following an internship experience, he joined CIRNAC’s Northern Affairs Organization, where he was responsible for coordinating sectoral input into departmental planning and reporting processes, including the Departmental Plan and the Departmental Report on Results, the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy and audit and evaluation processes, as well as supporting the Assistant Deputy Minister on a wide range of departmental committees.
Through his work with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, Fadi feels privileged to be given the opportunity to support the Board’s vision of a vibrant Indigenous economy where Indigenous Peoples are economically self-sufficient and prosperous.
Fern Keeshig (She/Her) is a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (Neyaashiinigmiing), located in Ontario along the large bluffs and shoreline of the beautiful Bruce Peninsula.
As a 2014 alumni from Algonquin College, Fern later went on to graduate from Carleton University with a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science in 2020. Being the youngest of six, she often refers to herself as a forever learner and a lover of film and photography.
Fern is deeply passionate about reconciliation and cultural revitalization for all Indigenous communities on Turtle Island. Through her work with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, she hopes to amplify the successes of Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast to coast, while also challenging the oppressive programs and policies that are currently established. Fern wants to contribute to a world where all her relations can abundantly rejoice, unite and celebrate in prosperity on their own terms.
Rachel Peterson (She/Her) is Mi’kmaw from Annapolis Valley First Nation in Cambridge, Nova Scotia. She is a student with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board as her first experience as a public servant. She is currently studying at Dalhousie University pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a major in law, justice and society, and a minor in Indigenous studies and is set to graduate in spring 2025.
Rachel is passionate about reconciliation, self-determination and cultural revitalization and is excited to bring her education and passions together with her work on the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. She hopes to spend her career striving for these goals and is glad to begin this path with this team.
Rachel pursues her personal goal of cultural revitalization by jingle dress dancing, learning to beadwork, and expanding her knowledge in the areas of Indigenous rights and culture. She is excited to expand her knowledge and gain experience through this student position and feels privileged to be involved in advancing economic parity for Indigenous Peoples.
Keith Wood Brooks (He/Him) is mixed Cree, from God’s Lake (Manitou Sakahigan) First Nation, located on Treaty 5 Territory in northern Manitoba. Keith lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for school and work, but he spends summers and winter holidays back home whenever possible.
Before joining the public sector, Keith was studying at the University of Manitoba where he obtained an honours degree in economics, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from a post-secondary institution. He is presently enrolled part-time in a Master’s program in economics, and has plans to further his education at the Ph.D. level.
Keith was inspired to study economics as a way to better understand the economic gap between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians, and he wishes to study and continue to work in the Indigenous economic development sector as a life-long career. Growing up in an isolated First Nation community made him think deeply about why economic inequality exists and why it persists today, especially for remote communities like his. Through his work with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, he hopes to narrow the economic gap faced by Indigenous Peoples and live in a world where Indigenous Peoples have the same level of economic opportunity as the rest of Canada.
Lauren Aussant (she/her) is a proud Michif Métis woman from Saskatoon, SK, located on Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis. She is a student with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board Secretariat.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and Certificate in Politics and Law from the University of Saskatchewan. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa’s Common Law program, studying in French. Lauren has been involved in equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and Indigenization efforts throughout her time as an student and hopes to bring her knowledge and experience to the area of Indigenous economic development. She is passionate about advancing economic parity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and creating social change that allows Indigenous and Western worldviews to be valued and represented in all aspects of Canadian society.