ABOUT
PROJECT FIRST NATIONS
RECONCILIATION THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS
Project First Nations is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to creating opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to meet, learn from one another, share experiences and build meaningful relationships.
Our work has developed through years of direct engagement with Indigenous communities, youth, schools and families, particularly in Attawapiskat First Nation, across the James Bay region and in other remote Indigenous communities.
Our Mission
Reconciliation Through Relationships
To advance reconciliation by creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to connect, learn, share experiences and build lasting relationships. We believe reconciliation cannot be achieved through awareness alone. Education is important, but deeper understanding can develop when people are given opportunities to listen to one another, work together, share experiences and form genuine human connections.
What Guides Our Work
Relationships
Building genuine human connection is at the centre of our work.
Respect
Indigenous peoples, communities, histories, cultures and contemporary realities must be approached with humility and care.
Indigenous Voice
Indigenous perspectives, community knowledge and lived experience are important to how programs and relationships develop.
Reciprocity
Strong relationships are not one-directional. Everyone should have opportunities to contribute, teach, listen and learn.
Youth
Young people can play an important role in building understanding across communities and generations.
Experience
Sport, education, culture, storytelling, shared meals, community activities and everyday experiences can create opportunities for meaningful connection.
Built Through Experience
PFN’s philosophy developed through direct experience, highlighting the inaugural Attawapiskat Soccer Camp bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth together, the friendships and trust that grew across the community.
The expansion of work through Attawapiskat, Moosonee, Moose Factory, the James Bay region and other Indigenous community settings has been fundamental to our growth and understanding.
PFN has since developed initiatives involving sport, cultural learning, storytelling, education, virtual connection, community visits, youth leadership and school programming, all focused on the power of connection.
Board of Directors
Project First Nations is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose members contribute their time, experience and skills to support the organization’s mission, programs and continued development.
Paulo Pereira
President
Dan Romano
Vice-President
Monica Sousa
Secretary
Sean McClare
Media Production Lead
Supports Project First Nations through video production, photography, editing and the publication of the organization’s visual media.
Members-at-Large
Nicoly Da Silva Antonio
Judit Fustos
Ashley LaMarca
Christopher Ficher Garcia
Anthony Aires Macedo
Lucas Bras
Julia Biggart
Podcast Team
The Project First Nations Podcast Team helps create conversations and content connected to the organization’s work, relationships, programs and broader reconciliation journey.
Lucas Bras
Julia Biggart
Indigenous Guidance & Consultation
Project First Nations benefits from the guidance and perspective of Indigenous consultants whose knowledge and lived experience help inform our work. Out of respect for their privacy and the nature of their involvement, their identities are not published on this website. Their involvement reflects our belief that work involving Indigenous communities should include Indigenous perspective, listening and guidance.
Powered by People
PFN is supported by people who give their time, expertise and energy to the organization’s work, including board members, volunteers, educators, families, community members, Indigenous contributors, supporters and participants.
Relationship-building is a community effort. Every contributor plays a role in creating the meaningful connections that drive our programs forward.
Working With Communities
PFN seeks to work with Indigenous communities, rather than simply delivering programs in communities. Programs, visits and activities develop through communication, mutual respect, local readiness and appropriate community involvement.
“Indigenous communities are not program destinations. They are communities of people with their own priorities, protocols, histories and voices.”
Community involvement may differ from one initiative to another and should never be assumed or guaranteed. We prioritize listening and responding to local needs.
Continuing the Relationship
- School programs
- Youth and community initiatives
- Virtual connections
- Immersive learning
- Sport and recreation
- Cultural and educational programming
- Corporate leadership and reconciliation experiences
- Future initiatives developed through relationships
PFN is committed to sustainable, respectful growth rather than expansion for its own sake. Our work continues to evolve through the relationships we nurture with communities every day.