“Indigenous women's sovereignty is not just about land or governance; it is about the power to decide, to shape, and to thrive on our own terms.”
About Us
The Indigenous Women's Fund of Canada is led by a dedicated board of directors committed to empowering Indigenous women and girls across Canada.
Board of Directors
Jeannette Corbiere Lavell
Founder & President
Jeannette Corbiere Lavell is a pioneering advocate for Indigenous women's rights in Canada. A member of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, she famously challenged the discriminatory provisions of the Indian Act in the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case. She is a former President of the Ontario Native Women's Association and the Native Women's Association of Canada, and has dedicated her life to advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous women and girls.
Dawn Lavell-Harvard
Vice President, External Relations
Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard is from Wiikwemkoong First Nation and was the first Aboriginal recipient of the prestigious Trudeau Scholarship. A former National President of the Native Women's Association of Canada, she serves as Director at the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University and co-chairs the Peterborough Community Health Centre.
Jessica Shute
Vice President, Finance
Jessica Shute is Ojibwe from Couchiching First Nation and a mortgage specialist at RBC. She serves as national co-chair of the Royal Eagles Employee Resource Group, external co-chair of the Indigenous Education Council at OCAD University, and is a recipient of the 2019 RBC Global Citizen Award.
Annie Blake
Director
Annie Blake is an experienced Indigenous leader and policy strategist with over two decades of service in governance, health and social policy, and community engagement. As the first Indigenous woman to hold the Deputy Speaker's chair in the Yukon Legislative Assembly, she championed reconciliation, equity, and culturally grounded legislation.
Zoe Craig-Sparrow
Director
Zoe Craig-Sparrow is an Indigenous activist from the Musqueam people in Vancouver who advocates for the rights of women, girls, and Indigenous peoples, with a focus on environmental justice. Since age 12, she has worked with NGOs including Justice for Girls and represented them at the United Nations.
Staff Leadership
Katherine Blake
Odaake Kwe (Administrative Director)
Katherine Blake is a talented, results-driven professional with a 35+ year track record in planning and leading comprehensive development strategies. She has worked for national, provincial, and local organizations, raising millions of dollars for various causes, and has held leadership positions as Executive Director, Director of Development, and Chief Development Officer for numerous charities. Katherine holds a degree in Political Science and Policy Studies from York University, with further studies at the Max Bell Public Policy Institute and BrainStation Digital Marketing. Her significant projects include founding Canada's Top 20 Under 20 Program, developing Cystic Fibrosis Canada's $10M National Research Campaign, and managing Covenant House's $10M Just Like a Girl You Know campaign addressing sex trafficking. She also serves as a Director for the Toronto Foundation for Student Success.