b'MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL CHIEFMESSAGE FROMTHE REGIONAL CHIEFFOR ONTARIORoseAnne ArchibaldT here are many instancesRoseAnnefill those gaps. For example, beaders of volunteerism in Ontariolike Amber Sandy (@ambsandy on everydaylikely countless thatInstagram) volunteered their time and are happening on small scalesArchibald organizing skills right at the beginning that we cant see, but that our Nationsof this pandemic to create a virtual certainly feel the positive impactsAFN Regional Chief, Ontariospace where community members could from. First Nations in Ontario haveToronto Administration Officecome together to chat and join in on always come together to support their468 Queen Street East, Suite 400culturally relevant activities. 2communities to be strong and healthy Toronto, ONM5A 1T7Generosity and giving back are this includes through volunteerism. Ph: 416-597-1266 Toll Free: 1-877-517-6527essential values always, but especially As graduation rates continue to rise,Fax: 416-597-8365 now. We are happy to see these values so do the number of volunteer hoursembodied so fully by First Nations the youth in our communities achieve;Executive Assistant: Robin Beauclairall throughout Ontario. It is our hope post-secondary students across theEmail: Robin.Beauclair@coo.org going forward that this embodiment province have helped to organize andcontinues and that people everywhere host cultural events on- and off-campus,seek out opportunities to support and many artists, dancers and creatorsothers in any way they are able to.have increasingly donated their skills and talents to raise awareness and money forOntario Regional Chief RoseAnne good causes. Archibald recognized Chief DebassigeRoseAnne Archibald Beyond the average volunteerism we seeand other First Nations exceptionalRegional Chief for Ontario shows of volunteerism in a press releaseAssembly of First Nationsin the region, COVID-19 has sparkedthis May, stating, I applaud the efforts action and initiatives among all Firstof First Nations leaders and volunteers Nations that require active volunteerismwho have been working tirelessly to keep to sustain. Just a few months ago, fortheir communities safe and stop the example, Chief Linda Debassige ofspread of COVID-19. In the face of this MChigeeng First Nation initiated anpandemic, First Nations in Ontario have Island-wide fundraiser to provide morerisen to the occasion, generously and ventilator capacity at Manitoulin Healthconsistently giving their time, resources1Centre (MHC). Discussing this initiative, www.manitoulin.ca/mchigeeng-chief- and energy to numerous projects.MHC president and CEO Lynn Fosterlinda-debassige-initiates-fundraising-for-more-stated that Chief Debassige took itIn a time where physical distancing2 manitoulin-ventilators www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/connecting-in-upon herself to put together this letteris essential and our regular ways of isolation-indigenous-people-create-find-and-share-and submitted it to chiefs, businessescoming together as communities havecommunity-online-1.5510595/beading-instagram-and municipalities, and they have kindlybeen put on pause, First Nations peopleand-an-online-community-one-artist-has-turned-kicked it off with a very generous gift.1 in Ontario have found creative ways toto-social-media-to-stay-connected-1.551215424 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2020'