Meet the Team

Nokomis Support

Jan Beaver

Jan Beaver is a storyteller, author of several children’s graphic novels and history books focussed on Indigenous themes, educational consultant and a facilitator of the Way of the Circle programs at Northern Edge Algonquin. Over the years, Jan has been a Water Scientist with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, a classroom teacher, an outdoor education teacher with the Toronto District School Board, a staff member with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, member of various Aboriginal Education Committees and Senior Education Advisor for Ogemawahj Tribal Council in Rama. Jan is a proud recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of her work in education. She is a member of the Alderville First Nation (Anishinaabe) and has dedicated most of her life to learning and teaching others about the history, traditions and cultures of First Nation peoples.

President & Founder

Joyce Jonathan Crone

Joyce is Haudenosaunee, Mohawk, Turtle clan, and grew up on The Six Nations of the Grand. She is a retired teacher with 33 years of experience including the role of First Nations, Metis and Inuit school board consultant, and department head of Special Education. Her experience includes kindergarten, ESL, Special Education, English, and Indigenous Studies. Joyce has a rich and diverse life journey including outreach travel to the Amazon River, Nunavut, and five trips to Haiti. Joyce led groups of Canadian teachers and artists to Haiti to support children and education as well as holding sick and dying babies and children. Joyce and her family have been part of the Huntsville community since 2005. She is a freelance writer and has published work with The Ontario Native Literacy Coalition and Niagara College. She is host to "Station to Nation" a weekly Indigenous music show, and has penned a column with a local newspaper. Joyce is a free spirit and humanitarian, who embodies compassion, faith, inclusion, equity and justice.

Treasurer

Vicki Jones

Vicki has an Honours Degree in Law, and a second Honours Degree in Psychology,

including courses in Indigenous Studies. Vicki's career

in Investment and Portfolio Management has intersected with her desire to be a changemaker.

Vicki seeks to live in a good way by following a path of spiritual goodness and appreciates Indigenous ways of being.

As a young girl growing up in Northern Ontario, Vicki spent time on the Kipawa First Nation, where she learned traditional ways of life including cultivating and foraging, the preparation and cooking of food and communal ceremonies.

These experiences are woven into her moral fiber. Vicki's passions include being in nature, travelling, yoga and engaging with others. She is an advocate and volunteer, who believes in making a difference in her community.

Vicki makes her home in Huntsville.

Events
Dave Connell

Dave moved to Muskoka in 1987, to pursue his passion of canoe building. He began a small business which he continues in part-time. Dave's lifelong interest for Indigenous people and issues goes back to his childhood friendships and growing up in Montreal, where he became good friends with an Indigenous boy. Dave's keen interest and allyship grew throughout his adult life eventually leading him to enroll part time in Indigenous studies at Nipissing University in 2006. He graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Indigenous Studies degree. Dave joined Hope Arises team with a strong desire to make a difference and to promote cultural awareness and Reconciliation.

Youth Advisor
Micah MacLeod

Micah is twenty-two years old and currently completing her Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education at Nipissing University and Brock University. She is Haudenosaunee, Upper Mohawk, Turtle clan, of the Six Nations of the Grand River. Micah uses her artistry and bead work to promote Indigenous identity. She has been actively involved in community and campus initiatives that celebrate Indigenous culture, including designing an Every Child Matters T-shirt, organizing an Orange Shirt Day initiative, and creating an Indigenous themed basketball jersey for a campus celebration. Micah believes deeply in amplifying the voices and perspectives of Indigenous youth and building educational spaces that are inclusive, empowering and grounded in healing.
Now pursuing her teaching career through the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP), Micah hopes to carry this passion with her into her education career.