Shirley Debassige (née Dusome) has been the President of the Toronto & York Region Métis Council since 2018 after serving two years as the Council’s Women’s Representative.

Shirley is a Métis Nation of Ontario citizen. Her Métis root ancestors are François Clermont/ François Dusome, Pierre Gendron and Josette-Rosette Cloutier. They, along with many others, were displaced from Drummond Island to the Georgian Bay area in the 1820’s. She was born in Penetanguishene, near the waters of Georgian Bay.

She currently lives in Toronto. Shirley is married and has two sons. She is also a grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren. Shirley continues her 22 years career with Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network, where she has gained a wealth of health sector knowledge

Taanishi – Hello, I am very proud to have been elected as a TYRMC Councillor and believe that my experience in many different communities will prove to be valuable for working collaboratively with the Toronto and York Region Métis and Indigenous communities in general through cultural events, community support, education, and participation with the MNO to build reciprocal relationships in the spirit of reconciliation.

I trace my Métis lineage through the Jean Baptiste Trudeau and the Trudeau-Papanaatyhianecoe Family Line of Drummond Island. My extended family have settled the Midland and Penetanguishene area for multiple generations. My parents moved to York Region in the early 1970’s and I have remained in York Region since then. My wife and I currently reside in Vaughan with our three children.  I am 53 years of age and have worked as a police officer for the Toronto Police Service for over 32 years.  I am currently working directly with the Government of Ontario, Ministry of the Solicitor General.

From my career experiences working in areas of Toronto with significant Indigenous demographics, I have gained different and unique perspectives of the Indigenous community, having both insight and Understanding of daily struggles and hardships, as well as appreciation for the positive contributions of Indigenous individuals and the overall Indigenous community.

Suzanne Brunelle, Senator & Knowledge Seeker, is Métis with Menominee, French, and Irish roots. She traces her Menominee line to Red River Valley. Her Métis root ancestors are Françoise Clermont and François Dusome. One of her French ancestors landed on Turtle Island nine generations ago, in 1665, and married a fille du roi in 1671. Her Irish ancestors immigrated to Canada in the mid 1800’s. Suzanne was raised near the waters of Georgian Bay on a farm in Lafontaine where she developed a strong connection to Mother Earth and all her relations. Many decades ago, she adopted Tkaronto as her home and it is in this area of Turtle Island that she raised her family.

Suzanne earned her Bachelors’ degree at York University’s Glendon College, subsequently dedicating over forty years to federal public service. She is an active member of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council, the City of Toronto Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee, the Centennial Aboriginal Education Council and the Wigwamen Incorporated Board of Directors. She is also the coordinator of the Community Ethics Network, a membership-funded collective of over 50 community health and support sector organizations.

Amie Therrien is Métis and was born and raised in Penetanguishene. Her root ancestors are Edmond Brissette, Pierre Gendron, and Josette-Rosette Cloutier. Amie is now based in Tkaronto and is grateful to the TYRMC for the cultural and community connection they provide. 

Amie’s training and background is in working as a civil engineer but she took a different path ten years ago when she started to work in the music industry. She founded a boutique music management company working with folk, roots, and Americana artists. She also ran programming for Folk Alliance International and served on the boards of Folk Music Ontario and Music Managers Forum Canada, in both Secretary and President roles. 

Amie is currently the executive director of Music Managers Forum Canada and leads the team supporting managers and self-managed artists with professional development, mentorship, networking opportunities, export missions and advocacy. 

Amie enjoys kayaking, cycling, meditating, journaling, and newfound hobby of jigsaw puzzling. She is also continuing her beading adventures started from workshops organized by TYRMC. Follow her on Instagram @balsampier. 

Jenna Bjornson is a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario with family ties to the Red River Settlement, her family name is Pruden. Jenna grew up outside of Ottawa, spending many summers in the homelands in Saskatchewan. 

Jenna works for imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, which is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content. 

Jenna is an avid beader and explores other mediums like porcupine quills, caribou tufting, and works with antlers. 

Madeleine Vien is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario descending from the Desjardins, Marcellais, and Hamelin families of the Red River. Growing up in King Township, Ontario, Madeleine has since made Tkaronto her home as she pursues a degree in Sexual Diversity Studies at The University of Toronto. Madeleine has a deep appreciation for her cultural roots while actively participating in dialogues on sexual diversity and social equity.

Jane grew up in a small town but has lived in Toronto since 2012. She is a citizen of the Metis Nation of Ontario with family ties to region 6. Jane currently works for Indigenous Services Canada working on infrastructure projects in indigenous communities. When she isn’t at work you will find her heading outdoors to exercise her harvesting rights. 

Having joined the Toronto York Metis Council as a Councillor in 2023, Allan first became a MNO citizen in 2017. Allan joined the Sudbury Métis Council as Chair in 2022. In 2023, he served as President of the Sudbury Métis Council before returning home to Toronto to take care of his mother.

Allan is a Métis Nation of Ontario citizen from Region 7. His Métis root ancestors are Langlade, Dusome-Clermont, Beausoleil-Giroux. They, along with many others, were displaced from Drummond Island to the Georgian Bay area in the 1820’s. Allan was born in East York and calls Britt and Byng Inlet and the waters of Georgian Bay his temporary summer getaway for relaxation, and harvesting with his partner Tracey.

Allan currently lives in Scarborough and brings his experience and knowledge to the community and council. Allan works in the Film and TV industry and has a love for Metis history, believes in giving back to the community and helping the community grow.

Coreen Cain is a loving mother of 3 and grandmother to 7. She was born in Toronto, raised in North Preston, Nova Scotia, and has resided in Richmond Hill, Ontario, for 30 years. Coreen has been a board member in the community Lansberg Lewis Co-op for 6 years, attending numerous meetings, planning community events and helping with food drives; she has also worked at the Salvation Army women’s group for 25 years. However, above all, Coreen is a caregiver finding Joy in helping others. As a retired Personal care worker, she continues to help older adults in the community while babysitting and giving her worldly advice to youth. Coreen also is very active in the MNO, participating in weekly events and helping the community as the Secretary. This work is important to her as she hopes to connect and learn more about her Métis heritage. Lastly, Coreen is also a new artist as she found a new love for painting throughout the pandemic lockdown period.

Tanya La Rush lives with her family in Toronto and still has family who live in Penetanguishene
and surrounding area. She started her journey of Métis family discovery over two decades ago
and continues to learn and factualize ancestral history passed down to her and her siblings by
storytelling. With modern technologies and resources, she’s been able to assist other family
members with tracing and plotting family history as well as becoming citizens of the Métis
Nation of Ontario and members of their respective regional councils.

Tanya is active in her home community and labour union community and understands the core
values of what it means to be Métis and how important it is to keep the arts, stories and
language alive for generations beyond.