December 13, 2024 — Ottawa, Ontario — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Today, while at the Nutrition North Canada Research Symposium in Ottawa, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs welcomed Mr. McKinley Winters to the position of Chair of the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board and Ms. Mavis Cli-Michaud as a board member for a three-year term.

McKinley Winters is an Inuk from Hopedale, Nunatsiavut, who has dedicated his career to supporting the health and well-being of his community. From 2016 to 2020, he worked as a Team Leader with the Nunatsiavut Government’s Department of Health and Social Development, where he managed food security programs like NNC’s Nutrition Education Initiatives and the Harvesters Support Grant. Winters’ experience with the NNC subsidy has offered him critical insight into the NNC program, food access challenges in northern communities, how NNC helps to offset the costs and the beneficial impacts in communities.

Ms. Mavis Cli-Michaud is a proud member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, NWT,  with over thirty years’ experience in senior management within government. Through her work she focused on communications, finance and human resource management, as well as socio-economic planning. From her diverse experience supporting in leadership roles on the Deh Cho First Nations Investment Management Board, MacKenzie Valley Land and Water Board to her founding director role with the NWT Native Women’s Association, Ms. Cli-Michaud is known for her adaptability and her commitment to making positive changes to meet the needs and help others, making her a valuable asset to the board.

The NNC Advisory Board is an important part of the program’s design and provides residents of isolated Northern communities a direct voice in the program. The board works closely with community members in eligible communities to ensure that their perspectives are heard and considered.