Anishinaabe-Kwe from the unceded territory of Wiikwemikoong, ON.

Melanie Assiniwe is the Chief Executive Officer of Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe, where she plans to lead with a deep commitment to Anishinabek values, community empowerment, and transformative leadership.

A proud, yet humble, Anishinaabe-kwe, Melanie lives by the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which guide her decisions and actions in service to her fellow Anishinabek.

Raised in Wiikwemkoong, Melanie brings a profound understanding of Indigenous traditions and governance to her work. Her leadership is rooted in respect, collaboration, and a vision for sustainable, community-driven growth.

Prior to her role as Chief Executive Officer, Melanie learned sound finance practices through her extensive finance and accounting experience, having been a Senior Accountant at KPMG, as a professor at Cambrian College, as a Director of Finance at a Northern Ontario First Nation, and as a Director of Capacity Development at the First Nations Financial Management Board.

Melanie’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to capacity building, accountability, and the revitalization of Indigenous systems. At Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe, she will continue to champion innovation, cultural integrity, and economic resilience for future generations.

Ashley Nootchtai was hired at the end of November 2023 and brings her experience, working with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek in various roles in the Administration department over the years, to GMS. Her educational background is in paralegal law.

She holds great pride in working with a team who are bringing indigenous prosperity to Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. Ashley is also a band member of Atikameksheng and has 2 daughters. The majority of her family lives on the First Nation, and she has lived there most of her life.

With having exceedingly executed in roles in finance, real estate, and mining, Josh has accumulated skills in financial analysis, stakeholder relations, project management, negotiation, and asset acquisition, in addition to a one-of-a-kind combination of other skillsets which help with ensuring that all organizational goals are met. Holding a diploma in business studies ensures that all areas of a company are considered when implementing new strategies within the operation.

Josh has a versatile understanding of both operational and corporate landscapes, making him adept at fostering business growth, ensuring quality control, and enhancing the overall partner experience.

Natalie Shawana is a proud Ojibwe kwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and is currently enrolled at Cape Breton University for her MBA in Community Development, she also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and a second degree in Community Economic and Social Development, from Algoma University. 

She bring extensive experience, knowledge and skills to GMS from past positions that she has held such as Economic Development Manager for a First Nation and as Finance Manager. Some of her other previous positions include Manager of Learning Together for a non profit specializing in First Nations mining training and development and at Nordik Research Institute as Assistant Researcher where she made her most significant contribution towards Research on First Nations and in Urban Aboriginal Economic Development and a Labour Market Study. She was heavily involved in the development of many Feasibility Studies, Business Plans and Marketing Plans for First Nations and Aboriginal organizations in Ontario.