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An online candidates forum will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm). This will be an opportunity for the OPSEU/SEFPO members who are running for the position of Indigenous Equity Executive Board Member (delegate and alternate) to meet and engage with the electors who will be voting.
Please note that this forum is only open to OPSEU/SEFPO members who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) and who have completed a nomination and/or participation form by the requested deadline. Confirmed candidates and participants will be sent the necessary information (including Zoom link) after the deadline has passed.
The selection of the delegate and alternate Indigenous Equity Executive Board Member will be done by electronic vote after the online candidates forum.
Candidates
Bonnie Eddy – Local 330
My name is Bonnie Eddy, and I am a proud Indigenous woman from Wiikwemikoong.
I have over 25 years of experience as a Child and Youth Worker, and have always prioritized the well-being of those I support. My journey in activism began a decade ago at the local level, where I have had the privilege of holding various leadership roles, including Chief Steward, Vice President, member of the negotiating and pay equity teams, and Equity/Diversity Lead.
I also proudly represented Region 3 on the Provincial Women’s Committee. In this role, I worked alongside Equity members and staff to plan and moderate three regional educationals and three provincial conferences focusing on equity issues. After taking a term away, I am honored to have been re-elected.
As an Indigenous woman living with a disability, I have faced unique challenges that intersect with both my cultural identity and lived experience. This perspective has shaped my approach to advocacy, leadership, and support—ensuring that I navigate these spaces with awareness and sensitivity.
As a member of the Ad Hoc Committee, I collaborated with Equity teams to develop a Constitutional Amendment that introduced seven Equity Executive Board seats within OPSEU/SEFPO. I have continuously stood against the systemic disregard for equity and remain committed to championing fairness, justice, and inclusivity in all aspects of my work.
I firmly believe in fostering a climate of social justice where advocating for Indigenous people is essential to building a more equitable workplace and union. OPSEU/SEFPO has the strength and potential to drive meaningful change, and I am confident that together, we can create inclusive policies and practices that truly reflect our shared values.
Darlene Maracle – Local 455
She:koh ! My name is Katsi’tsyakonhson Darlene Maracle I live in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and member of the Mohawks Bay of Quinte.
I currently work at The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in the Financial Services Unit.
I have always been involved with the union throughout my working career I have been involved and served Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) as union representative, steward, secretary, and strike coordinator.
When I joined the OPS in 2015 I had a passion to continue my union activities and participated by joining OPSEU/SEFPO and fighting for co-workers within my capacity as union steward and as 2nd VP for Local 455.
Previously worked for more than 25 years with Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAC) in Northwestern Ontario and in Tkaronto (Toronto) working and collaborating with and in Indigenous communities working closely with Chief and Council and Economic Development Officers to promote opportunities in First Nation communities through programs and services offered by INAC.
I have had the opportunity to learn and grow with many of the First Nations and members in Ontario. I am a strong advocate for indigenous peoples, and I would be proud to represent and support indigenous employees in the many challenges we face in the OPS.
Desmond O’Connor – Local 631
My skills at providing the leadership and direction required for the successful Board Member of the OPSEU Indigenous Equity Executive Board Member OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board roles include my volunteerism as a Board member of Autism Ontario, President of Ininew Friendship Centre, as the 1st Vice President of OFIFC (Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centre’s, as well as many other volunteer roles/positions I have held and created in my career.
My current role as a Peer Support Worker with CMHA, Education & Training Advisor for Contact North as well as an Indigenous Student Advisor for the District School Board Ontario North East make me an ideal candidate as a member of the Indigenous Equity Executive Board Member OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board.
As a peer Support Worker with CMHA in the Homelessness Prevention Program, an Education & Training Advisor for Contact North my proven ability to engage with businesses and community organizations, strong presentation skills as well as my role as a Indigenous Student Advisor with DSBONE I gained a great deal of experience working with staff, clients who successfully attain their work & life goals, including mental health, housing, college and training schools to maximize their education and potential. Furthermore, as an active and dedicated member of the Indigenous community, I offer an authentic and deep understanding of the challenges that our communities face in Urban Northeastern Ontario and all over Turtle Island. I have tremendous passion for my Indigenous community, and it is that passion that is woven throughout the work that I do both in my profession and my volunteerism within my community.
My extensive background working with administration, staff, families, and youth in crisis situations in a calm and judicious manner has helped me to gain the respect of both my staff, colleagues and families I support. My Human Resources background and conflict mediation skills developed during my time as Peer Support Worker, Indigenous Student Advisor have nurtured my approach to all situations with a view to a collaborative and positive resolution (win-win) – one in which the staff, child/youth are always the priority.
Throughout my time as a volunteer with Indigenous Organizations and Local Social Service agencies I have supported the delivery of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit programming, developed and enhanced the delivery of Mental Health, Physical Health & Well Being Programs to youth, families, and organizational staff. I have provided guidance and counsel to the staff, families, children, and youth I work with, and have collaborated extensively with administrative staff, community organizations, school boards, and First Nations to ensure then Managerial, physical, mental, and emotional health of the students within my program. Along with volunteer work within the Indigenous community, I am also a Coach and mentor the youth of Cochrane and surrounding areas.
I am confident that my experience as a President, Board Member and Advocate for Indigenous Social Justice for 35 years will allow you to consider me for this role, and I do look forward to hearing from you.
Yours in Solidarity, Chi-Meegwetch,
Desmond O’Connor
Cristine Rego – Local 352
I am a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation. I am also a proud member of OPSEU as a fulltime faculty. As such, during my time here at Fleming College I have developed and delivered a number of Indigenous courses. I have also assisted in developing and delivering a number of Indigenous courses for OPSEU. I have been a member of the Indigenous Circle. Further, I have made Indigenous issues a priority in my work career, ensuring I have worked in all organizations that have touched Indigenous peoples, ie: CAS (from front line to senior management), federal corrections (Kingston Penitentiary, one of the first Indigenous supervisors on the guard staff), provincial corrections (Don Jail), hospital crisis social worker, Center for Addiction & Mental Health (Provincial Aboriginal Training Consultant), counselling, developing and delivering curriculum with an Indigenous lens, sought after speaker and facilitator on topics such as Intergenerational Trauma, Suicide Awareness, Cultural Safety, Trauma Informed Care, MMIWG & Sex Trafficking and many more. My passion is changing health outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
I follow my Traditions, my grandfather and grandmother and mother were Medicine people, healers. I am a Masters Social Worker and commit to ensuring integrity in my practice. I teach sessions on how to make ribbon skirts and ribbon shirts, for the Friendship Center here in Peterborough, for interested groups and for Indigenous Peoples Court. I have been a Traditional Hand Drummer and with the Wabishki Makwa (White Bear) hand drummers. I am also a 60’s Scoop survivor. I practice and teach how to have Two-eyed seeing in working with Indigenous people. I have been honored with the Woman of Distinction Award on two different occasions from the Sudbury YWCA, one for my work with Intimate Partner Violence and one for my hand drumming.
I would be honored to represent Indigenous as a Board Member, be honored to share my wisdom, and believe that having experience being on the Board for Sudbury CAS would assist in that role. I feel I bring traditional knowledge with that experience.
Trevor Ziegler – Local 135
Presently I am a Correctional Officer / Associate Instructor for the Ministry of Corrections. When needed I act as a Crisis Negotiator. In my spare time I enjoy reading and Martial Arts. I am an instructor for Standard/Advanced 1st Aid and CPR, BLS, HPP and Indigenous Culture Awareness. Some additional courses I have recently taken to assist in my career are: Criminal Justice Information Management and Critical Incident Stress Management. As well Online University of Michigan – Leading in times of Crisis, Writing and editing for leadership, and purpose at work for employees and leaders. Some committees I sit on include the Health and Wellness Committee and the Diversity Indigenous and Inclusion Action Committee (DIIAC).
How the process works
There are two ways in which eligible OPSEU/SEFPO members can be directly involved in this process.
For Candidates
- Be an OPSEU/SEFPO member in good standing
- Identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit)
- Complete a Nomination Form to be considered as a candidate (delegate or alternate)
- Ensure that the nomination form is signed by at least one OPSEU/SEFPO member in good standing who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit)
For Participants
- Be an OPSEU/SEFPO member in good standing
- Identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit)
- Complete a Participant Form
- Participants will be limited to One Hundred and Fifty (150) and they will be selecting the Equity Executive Board Member (EEBM) delegate and the alternate
Only eligible members who are registered as a participants can participate in the selection of the Indigenous Equity Executive Board Member – delegate and alternate. Candidates will also need to complete a Participation Form.
Note: Any member who has not signed an OPSEU/SEFPO membership card, or is otherwise not a member in good standing, will not be able to participate as a candidate or a participant
For questions or more information, please contact [email protected].