Gabrielle Fayant (she/her)

Gabrielle Fayant originates from Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, Alberta and identifies as a proud Metis woman, a woman of Lii Michif/Otipemisiwak. Currently living in Ottawa, ON, the traditional territory of the Algonquin peoples, Gabrielle has worked with a number of national, provincial and local Indigenous and youth serving organizations, groups and councils. She has worked in various capacities for organizations such as the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF), Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC), Metis Nation of Ontario’s (MNO) Infinite Reach Program, KAIROS Canada, and the Circle’s Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Program (OYIPP). Gabrielle is currently working as an Independant Youth Advisor to the Minister of Crown-indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett.

Inspired by the Idle No More Movement in 2012, Gabrielle along with a team of Indigenous youth began an initiative called Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G) that supported youth through cultural events and celebrations and developed an empowerment program called ReachUp! North. For her commitment and work over the years, Gabrielle was honoured with the 2015 Indspire Metis Youth Award and the 2016 JS Woodsworth Individual Leadership Award. Gabrielle is also the co-host and producer of the Michif Hour on CKCU-FM, a radio how that talks about Metis history and contemporary realities while spotlighting Metis artists, past and present.