RCAAQ: Notice of Appointment

It is with great pleasure that the Executive Director of the Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ), Tanya Sirois, is announcing that three of her colleagues have been tasked with new responsibilities within the organization. Stemming from the most recent organizational strategic plan, these three appointments will provide the RCAAQ with the means to achieve its objectives, by giving it the structure, expertise and talent it needs to grow. The focus will be on innovation, two -way communication with its members and partners, and capacity building within the Movement.

Amélie Lainé will now hold the position of director of strategic development. A member of the Huron-Wendat First Nation of Wendake, she has been involved with the RCAAQ for more than 20 years. Until this most recent appointment, she served as partnerships and programs director. Throughout her career, Amélie has worked on a variety of issues, including early childhood, education, health and wellness, justice, and skills development. She has a comprehensive view of the needs, issues and challenges urban Indigenous people face. Amélie Lainé has been a member of the Conseil supérieur en éducation since October 2020, a member of the Ville de Québec’s Commission consultative pour une ville inclusive since October 2022, and a member of Canada’s National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care since November 2022.

Jean-François Côté has been appointed director of programs and information technology. A member of the Huron-Wendat First Nation of Wendake and holder of a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree in business administration, industrial relations and science, he has worked for the RCAAQ since 2014. As projects and programs coordinator, he worked with Friendship Centres to implement programs and contributed to planning many projects. This led him to acquire in-depth experience of the organization and fine-tuned knowledge of its action areas and members. In his new role, Jean-François will play a key role in managing information programs to contribute significantly to optimization within the organization. Jean-François’ motivation, commitment and determination enhance the influence of the Native Friendship Centre Movement.

Promoted to the position of director of member services, Stéphanie Fontaine-Dumais is a member of the Uashat mak Mani-Uteman Innu First Nation. This mother of three studied consumer sciences at Université Laval and has worked in the field of human resources, first with the Band Council in her home community and then in the public health network. She joined RCAAQ as an employability and skills enrichment advisor in 2018. In this capacity, she supported and guided the Native Friendship Centres in developing their services. Thanks to her expertise in implementing projects by and for urban Indigenous people, she has also been involved in various fields, including education, youth and social development. Among the projects that she will lead in her new position is the development of an innovative service proposal to meet Native Friendship Centres’ priority support areas.

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