Jamieson gains new post

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TORONTO-Roberta Jamieson has been appointed as chief executive officer to the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF).

The announcement was made Nov. 4.

"I was impressed by the high level of candidates we interviewed," said NAAF board chairman Len Flett.

"Our final choice focused on a person who, in addition to having all the managerial qualities required of the positon, was compelling, visionary and charismatic."

Jamieson, chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River since 2001, recently announced she would not be running again for that office.

"I am very honoured to be leading the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation," a NAAF press release quoted Jamieson.

"The Foundation provides the opportunity for Aboriginal youth to find their voice and place in Canada. We will continue to showcase the contributions our people have historically made-and will continue to make-in the building of our country."

NAAF, the largest non-governmental funder of Aboriginal education in Canada, dispenses $2 million a year through its educational program to First Nations, Inuit and Metis students. It also supports career fairs and hosts an annual gala awards program showcasing Aboriginal career successes across Canada.

Jamieson herself is a previous winner of NAAF's National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the public service category, in 1998.

Her prestigious and varied career includes many firsts. She was the first Aboriginal woman in Canada to earn a law degree, in 1976.

In 1989, she was the first woman ombudsman appointed in Ontario. Jamieson received the Order of Canada in 1994. She was the founding chairperson, in 2000, of imagineNATIVE, a highly acclaimed international media arts festival.

Currently, Jamieson is at the helm of an initiative called Vision 20/20, which aims to see more Aboriginal physicians graduate.