SUDBURY, ON — The Waawaaskonenh Foundation officially launched last week at Kenjgewin Teg’s Mshkogaabiwin: Affirming Sovereignty in Education event held in Sudbury on Tuesday night. The Foundation’s board of directors presented highlights from its recently completed Strategic Plan and introduced Dawn Madahbee Leach as the Foundation’s inaugural E’gaanjidaget.
"As the newest Chair of the Waawaaskonenh Foundation, I am honoured and excited for the opportunities ahead as we inspire hope and change in Anishinaabek Education, as the Foundation will continue to support Kenjgewin Teg’s vision,” shared Anna Marie Abitong, Chairperson of the Waawaaskonenh Foundation. “And with the strong leadership of our Board members and students, we can become the changemakers of the future.”
The Waawaaskonenh Foundation was created by Kenjgewin Teg to nurture lifelong learning, cultural renewal, and learner well-being. Incorporated as a non-profit in 2018 and recognized as a registered charity in 2024, the Foundation supports Indigenous education through scholarships, bursaries, and programs that go beyond traditional funding. Guided by its vision of nurturing lifelong learning, healing, and growth, and its mission to support learners through Anishinaabemowin and Anishinaabe teachings, the Foundation works in partnership with Kenjgewin Teg to create wholistic learning environments where learners can grow, heal, and thrive. Just as the name “Waawaaskonenh,” meaning “flower,” suggests, the Foundation helps learners flourish, connecting them to culture, language, and community.
The Foundation’s board of directors was honoured to introduce Dawn Madahbee Leach as the E’gaanjidaget, a role that translates to “one who leads or guides the way forward.”
An Anishinaabe-Kwe and member of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, she has served for 37 years as General Manager of Waubetek Business Corporation and is Founder and CEO of Indigenous Business International, supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs across Northeast Ontario and globally. As Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, she helped shape Canada’s first National Indigenous Economic Strategy, and her experience spans finance, energy, mining, and business sectors. Her many honours include the 2023 Business Lifetime Achievement Award (CCIB), the 2020 Indspire Award for Business and Commerce, and recognition as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women (2018). She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Law from Laurentian University.
"I feel that I have come full circle in supporting the Waawaaskonenh Foundation to assist in the good work of Kenjgewin Teg,” said Ms. Madahbee Leach. “The Waubetek Business Development Corporation had the honour of being involved in the initial startup of Kenjgewin Teg. It is gratifying to know that many students have achieved higher education because of this Anishinabek-led place of learning. And now the Waawaaskonenh Charitable Foundation will help them to soar even further!”
In September of this year, the Waawaaskonenh Foundation received its first donation, a transformational $10 million gift from the Mastercard Foundation.
"Built on a Foundation of Anishinaabe principles, culture, and worldviews, Kenjgewin Teg plays an essential role in equipping young people to learn, work, and lead in ways that strengthen the selfdetermination of their Nations,” said Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director of Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation. “We made a commitment to young Indigenous people that we would walk alongside them to transform post-secondary education in ways that support them to live a good life. This exemplary organization is contributing to that change and to a stronger country for us all.”
This support marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Kenjgewin Teg and its learners, opening doors for innovative programs and enhanced opportunities for Indigenous education. The launch of the Foundation coincides with the annual tradition of “Giving Tuesday,” a global movement that harnesses the spirit of kindness and charitable giving. “Giving Tuesday” is also the official kickoff to the year-end giving season, raising awareness and empowering individuals and communities to make a tangible difference by connecting them with nonprofits and charitable organizations.
"This is an incredible time for Kenjgewin Teg to begin thinking of new possibilities and bringing to the forefront many ideas we've been waiting to do; with the support of the Waawaaskonenh Foundation, many of these ideas will become closer to reality,” concluded Beverley Roy, President of Kenjgewin Teg. “It’s time for us to dream even bigger!”
To learn more about the Waawaaskonenh Foundation or how you can help learners flourish, please visit online.
About Waawaaskonenh Foundation
The Waawaaskonenh Foundation is an Indigenous-led registered charity dedicated to supporting lifelong learning, cultural renewal, and learner well-being. In partnership with Kenjgewin Teg, an accredited Indigenous Institute in Ontario, the Foundation provides scholarships, bursaries, and programs that strengthen Anishinabek education, language, arts, and heritage, helping learners grow, heal, and thrive across generations.
About Kenjgewin Teg
Kenjgewin Teg is an accredited Anishinabek place of learning for all with campuses both on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island) in Northern Ontario and in Sudbury, Ontario. Grounded in the rich history, ancestral knowledge, stories, and traditional teachings of the land, Kenjgewin Teg is dedicated to nurturing students' identities and sharing the richness of Anishinabek language (Anishinaabemowin), culture, and tradition with the world.
For more information about Kenjgewin Teg, please visit here.
About Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Its Young Africa Works strategy aims to enable 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, while its EleV program will support 100,000 Indigenous youth in Canada to complete their education and transition to meaningful work aligned with their traditions, values, and aspirations. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by its Board of Directors and Leadership team.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit here.
