Friday, June 12th
8:30 to 10 am
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.
