b'COO STAFF PROFILEStaff Profile: Dianne Simon Lead CoordinatorBY CHARNEL ANDERSOND ianne Karen Mishibinijimagetting used to the technology requiredcoworkers, who she calls a second was born in South Bay,to do her job. When I first started,family. She settles into her desk around Wikwemikoong onthere was no email, no Internet. The9 a.m. to follow up on emails. As an Manitoulin Island. Shemain source of communication was byintegral part of the team, in her position is the third youngest of 10 siblings.telephone and we used a Telex machineshe carries out several other administra-Like many of us Anishinabe people,to send messages to PTOs. Eventuallytive duties throughout the day, such the Indian Agent chose to provide anwe got a fax machine; it was the firstas booking travel and hotel rooms, English last name for Mishibinijima.time I saw a fax machine. I had a hardordering lunch and preparing board-Simon was given to be the familystime, but I finally knew how to workrooms for meetings. But her favourite last name. it, she says. part of the job is when she gets to visit As a teenager, Dianne moved toFrom the introduction of newFirst Nations communities across the Toronto to provide childcare supporttechnology and tools, it has certainlyprovince. When she travels, she finds for a family member. During her sparechanged how information is distributed.people warm and welcoming, always time, she took training courses, firstFrom the Telex machine and monthlytreating her with kindness.training as a cashier and then takingmailouts to faxing information and nowIts very nice to go to all these a word processing course. In 1987,using email and social media such ascommunities from the north, south, Dianne, a single mother of a three-year- Twitter and Facebook, the office ensureseast, west, says Dianne, who has flown old daughter, began her career withinformation is being shared with theto communities as far north as Kitchen-the Chiefs of Ontario as a receptionist.Chiefs and communities in real-time. uhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Eabame-Since then, she has worked under seventoong First Nation. regional chiefs and has seen the numberShe recalls the vast amount of copiesDianne has been married for 11 of First Nations in the province growshe used to make in preparing foryears to her partner Robert, and her from 127 to 133. Also, the numberconferences, like the annual All Ontariodaughter Candace is now a mother of staff grew from 18 to over 42 staffChiefs Conference. A lot of photo- of two sons, ages 6 and 15. Dianne members that currently work at thecopying was involved and arrangingenjoys spending her spare time with Chiefs of Ontario in various capacities. information into two-inch binders.her grandsons. She hopes to see her Dianne, a fluent Ojibwe speaker, isIt was a lot of work. Today, all theoldest grandson Devonte and youngest also keen to speak with chiefsespe- material is uploaded onto memory keys.grandson Jaydance continue to play cially those who speak OjibwewhenThats a big difference, she says.sports and hopes to one day see them they come to visit the Chiefs of OntarioNow information is sent out toplay professionally. That would be office in Toronto. When they comeChiefs and communities more quicklyawesome, she says.here for meetings I get to speak Ojibweand efficiently, and is less costly. I usedWhile advances in technology have to them. It just feels so good, because into have a dictionary and Rolodex onmade Diannes administrative duties Toronto I hardly ever see anybody speakmy desk, and now I use my best friendmuch less tedious, they have not made our language, she says.Google, she laughs.office moves any easier. She has helped When Dianne started at the ChiefsDianne likes to get to work earlypack, move and unpack boxes a number of Ontario in the late 80s, she was stillto enjoy a cup of coffee with herof times, from the offices location at 68l ISSUE 1 2019C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE'