Board of Trustees

Mandate: To determine how funds received from the businesses operated and managed by the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) will be invested in the Six Nations community collectively.

ALAINA VANEVERY

Term Expiring 2024 (Board Chair)

Alaina Marie VanEvery is a proud Mohawk woman, mother of two girls and entrepreneur belonging to the Wolf clan and raises her family at home on Six Nations. Alaina was selected as a Trustee for the Economic Development Board of Trustees and began her term in November 2017. She has recently spent over a decade working in the financial industry serving First Nations people locally and around the country, advocating for their inherent and collective rights and facilitating communication and conflict resolution between individual band members and the Canadian government.

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Previous to becoming employed full-time, she held summer jobs within the community as a teenager in the Education Department at the Woodland Cultural Centre. There, an abundance of cultural knowledge and experience helped to shape her young mind. From a young age, Alaina has developed and displayed her leadership skills by volunteering throughout elementary school carrying out various tasks focused on proficiency; during secondary at the Iroquois Lodge and various community events such as the Champion of Champions Pow Wow. She continues to volunteer at the annual Bread and Cheese celebration and hopes to carry on a family tradition to serve, she is now in her twentieth plus year of participation. Today, self-employed, you can find Alaina volunteering within her youngest daughter’s classroom and her eldest daughter’s sports program. She is passionate about community autonomy and self-sufficiency as she strives to encourage, empower, and engage those around her to be their best selves and hope to continuously move forward as a community in positive, efficient ways.

REVA BOMBERRY

Term Expiring 2024

Reva Bomberry is from the Turtle Clan, Mohawk Nation. She is married and has two sons and a daughter. Reva has worked in the community for 35 years in the area of education and social services. She contributed to the overall growth of the social services program for over 20 years and has spent the last 15 years in the educational setting as a teacher and administrator. Reva has an undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Education Degree from Brock University, and a Masters of Education Degree from Niagara University. She is currently the Principal of IL Thomas Elementary School.

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Reva volunteers her time and efforts on the Board of Directors of Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services, she is also a volunteer for the Ride To Conquer Cancer. Reva has been employed in management positions for approximately 25 years. Reva’s interest and desire to foster a healthy community inspired her to apply for membership to the Advisory Committee Board. She feels that with a clearly defined plan and appropriate resources, community wellness can occur with effective leadership.

HILARY BURNHAM-VISHEAU

Term Expiring 2024

Hilary is Cayuga, Wolf Clan from Six Nations. She is happily married to Scott Visheau and is a proud mother of 3 boys aged 5, 8 and 14. Hilary focuses her time and life around her family. Everything she does, she does with them in mind. This is why helping the Six Nations Community prosper economically is so important to her and why she volunteered to sit on the Advisory Committee. Hilary wants her sons to take pride in their community and, with any luck, be able to find valuable employment opportunities close to home and close to their mom.

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Hilary has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from McMaster University and a Law degree from the University of British Columbia where she focused her studies on Aboriginal law and criminal law. Upon graduation, Hilary clerked at the Federal Court of Appeal under Justice Karen Sharlow. After completing her articling and being called to the Bar, Hilary was employed in private practice in the areas of criminal and family law. In 2004, she left the practice and began working for the Department of Justice where she continues to practice Real Estate and Commercial Law.

ANDREW JOSEPH

Term Expiring 2022

Andrew Joseph is a proud member of the Seneca Nation. His educational background is in Aboriginal Law & Advocacy, and he has an extensive history of community involvement and volunteerism on a variety of projects, boards, and committees. Andrew has previously worked as the Director of Culture and President of Oshki-Anishnawbeg student association, a Policy Analyst for Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council, and currently works at a small law firm in Tillsonburg, ON.

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Having lived both on and off the Territory throughout his life, Andrew is keenly aware of the unique challenges and difficulties that come with both. He continues to be an advocate for his community and for Indigenous rights generally. Andrew is very committed to the betterment of the community and improvement of the quality of life for Six Nations Members, and continues to contribute towards the goal wherever possible.

MYKA BURNING

Term Expiring 2022

Myka Burning is an Onondaga Deer from Six Nations. She is the mother of seven strong indigenous children. She has been involved with many boards and committees and projects within Six Nations and in urban indigenous areas. She is one of the founders of Six Nations Pride, the first Pride event to take place on territory. Myka is an advocate for indigenous rights, equity and community building.