b'Daughter. Mother. Grandmother. Great-Grandmother. Friend. Family. Kin. Elder. Mentor. Condant. Community Member. Caregiver. Chief. Grand Chief. Leader. Builder. Board Member. Change Maker. Visionary. Expert. Advocate.These are just a few titles that Joyce Tabobondung, Jaabaakwe (Cook), 86, of Wasauksing First Nation in Ontario, Canada, holds proudly. Joyce loves her family, community, and nation, and is revered for her work for Wasauksing First Nation, Child Well-Being Agencies, Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations, Friendship Centers, and in many Indigenous leadership and Board of Directors positions. Joyce was the Chief of Wasauksing First Nation for 2 terms and was the former Grand Chief of the Robinson Huron Treaty in the late 90s.Still, she actively advocates for Indigenous children, culture, connection, and community as Head Elder at Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services. Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services is an Indigenous Child Well-Being Agency serving six First Nations in Nipissing-Parry Sound and the Greater Sudbury Jurisdiction, including Wahnapitae, Dokis, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan, Shawanaga, and Wasauksing. Niijaansinaanik provides culturally congruent child, youth, and family well-being services for prevention, protection, and family support programs. Niijaansinaanik became a designated Child Well-Being Agency on April 1, 2021. This designation is historic as it is a necessary step in reclaiming jurisdiction over Child Well-Being services for the First Nations.Joyces mother, Florence (Flora) Tabobondung (Baa) was chief of Wasauksing First Nation for 27 years, was a Grand Council Elder, and is lauded as a visionary in Indigenous Child Well-Being. Floras vision is depicted in the Niijaansinaanik logo. Taking a similar path, Joyce continues to advocate for better outcomes for Indigenous children, youth, and families. Together with the Niijaansinaanik Elders Advisory Circle, Board of Directors, and six First Nation Chiefs that make up Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services, Joyce provides input on traditional ways, teachings, and guidance. Currently, Giima (Chief) Warren Tabobondung (Joyces son) continues the leadership legacy and has been Chief of Wasauksing First Nation since 2013.Recently, Joyce and the Elders Circle have been part of the Agency development of the Anishinaabewin Nikayaa NkoobnigayOur Anishinaabe Way of Raising Our Children, also known as the Orange Standard. The Orange Standard is redesigning approaches to providing well-being services, focused on the Rights of the Child, Funding Equity, Heritage and Culture, and an Every Child Matters framework of Excellence. Part of bringing back balance to our families starts with the children and showing them healthy ways, community, and unity, said Joyce. The unity that the Chiefs and Board of Directors have shown coming together for one designated agency serving them is a giant step for our families walking together towards mino-bimaadziwinthe good life.NIIJCFS.COM 1-855-223-5558 Author: Shayla Brunet, Communications Coordinator'