Friday, June 12th
8:30 to 10 am
Student Center
Activity open to individuals registered for the Forum.
The Leadership of First Nations Women: A Catalyst for Reconciliation
Charles Bender – presenter
Charles Bender – Wendat
Actor/Director/Translator
Charles Bender is an actor, host, translator, and director of Wendat and settler origin. He is co-artistic director of the theatre company Menuentakuan and the host of Sans Reserve on APTN. He has sat on many committees and boards of directors that have social justice and contemporary Indigenous culture as part of their mandate.
Charles has been involved in theatre and television for more that 20 years and is often asked to host events that spotlight the exceptional richness of Indigenous peoples and organizations.
Marjolaine Étienne
Marjolaine Étienne, President, Quebec Native Women (QNW)
Marjolaine Étienne is an Innu from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh community of Mashteuiatsh in the Lac-Saint-Jean region. After fifteen years in community political life, she became President of Quebec Native Women in December 2021 and was re-elected in 2024 with 76% of the vote. She also serves as an advisor to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, having been appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres in December 2021. Throughout her career, Marjolaine Étienne has been dedicated to defending the rights of Indigenous women and girls across First Nations, advancing equality and improving living conditions. Her deep and genuine commitment has made her a leading voice in feminist social justice.
Carina Dominique
Carina Dominique is Vice-Chief of First Nations and Government Relations for the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation. Elected to a second term, she notably chairs the Shakashteu process, which is working on the development of a Youth Protection Act. Trained in social work and coming from a family deeply engaged in politics, she continues this legacy of commitment to her community with conviction.
Isabelle Napess
Isabelle Napess is an Innu lawyer from the community of Ekuanitshit. Elected as a councillor to the Innu Council in 2024, she also serves as spokesperson for the APNQL Council of Elected Women. Since 2025, she has been Executive Director of the Ekuanitshinnuat Economic Development Corporation, where she actively contributes to the socio-economic development of her community.
Previously, she served as Director of Indigenous Relations for Eastern Canada at Sodexo, and held positions as Executive Director, Legal Director, and advisor within organizations in Ekuanitshit for over ten years. She has served on several boards of directors and has been a member of the Apuiat board since 2018.
A member of the Barreau du Québec since 2006, Isabelle holds a law degree from Université Laval and a joint Executive MBA from McGill University and HEC Montréal. Trilingual, she stands out for her ability to navigate both Indigenous and corporate environments, with a strong focus on economic reconciliation and sustainable partnerships.
