Chief named one of North's influential women

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Margaret Penasse-Mayer has accomplished much in her lifetime. She is a passionate, determined, dedicated women who has done much not only to better her own community, but she has worked tirelessly to provide a voice for Indigenous women around the world.

Penasse-Mayer is the first woman chief in the history of the Nipissing First Nation and has been elected chief for four consecutive terms.

In June, Penasse-Mayer was named by Northern Ontario Business Magazine as one of the year's most influential women of Northern Ontario. This year marked the fifth annual Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards.

"This is a recognition from a non-Native organization; I was really surprised when they contacted me to tell me that I'd won. I was one of over 70 . . . so this is a great honor for me, just knowing that the work that I am doing for women, children and Aboriginal people is not going unnoticed," stated Penasse-Mayer.

Rick Evans, manager of economic development for the city of North Bay has worked closely with Penasse-Mayer for nearly 14 years and said she has been a "phenomenal role model" for young women. Evans suggested that his colleague Erin Richmond nominate Penasse-Mayer for the award.

Nipissing is a community of 1,800. What has made Penasse-Mayer so popular is the way she works with her seven-member council.

"I describe my fellow councillors as my partners, and I consult with them before accepting a new responsibility because they handle matters and make decisions when I am going to be away from the community," explained Penasse-Mayer.

Children, youth and women's issues have been at the forefront of Penasse-Mayer's agenda for many years. She sees addressing these issues as vital to the well-being of her community and to the world community at large. She volunteered for years in her community's children's programs.

"I can't take credit for our new high school, but I am proud to have been part of its establishment. When we set about developing the mandate for the school prior to its opening four years ago, we wanted it to accommodate different learning styles. Students progress by stages not a semester system. So far we have had a lot of success with the program; our students say that their experience at the school is very positive. We are now looking at establishing an elementary school utilizing the same concept. We would like to see this school up and running in the next couple of years. It would mean a lot to me to be a part of that process too."

Penasse-Mayer sees a strong connection between the work that she is doing at home and the work that she is involved in internationally.

"Any advances made at an international level can only be beneficial for Indigenous peoples in Canada, and we have much to share and much to learn from Indigenous peoples elsewhere in the world," stated Penasse-Mayer.

"I attended the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa in 2001, and I found that the issues facing African women were very similar to those facing First Nations women here in Canada. They are experiencing racism, poverty and a huge lack of empowerment."

Aside from her full schedule as mother, grandmother, wife, chief, president of Nipissing First Nation Fur Dressers Inc., community volunteer, active church and committee member, Penasse-Mayer is busy on the national and international front. She is currently the co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Gender Equality Advisory Committee, a responsibility she shares with Yukon Regional Vice-Chief Mary Jane Jim. The advisory committee is focusing on creating balance in the AFN, to consult with the women chiefs across Canada regarding increased participation in the Assembly to ensure that women's voices are heard.

Penasse-Mayer also dedicates her time to federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal leaders, being involved with a national group that is addressing Aboriginal participation in the economy, with a specific focus on women andyouth. She has been asked by the Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Chris Hodgson to sit on a panel examining job creation and ways of encouraging young people to stay in northeastern Ontario.