NGN Staff
Melanie Desjarlais
Director of Finance
Melanie Desjarlais has over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. She received her CAFM Designation from AFOA Canada in 2016, and one of her greatest professional achievements was receiving her MBA from Athabasca University in 2021.
Melanie has worked with Indigenous organizations for over 17 years. Before NGN, she worked in finance at Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres for 7 years. Melanie then moved to Sagkeeng First Nation for 10 years, first as their Chief Financial officer and then was promoted to Chief Administrative officer, combining the CEO and CFO positions.
Melanie is known for her ability to navigate complex financial situations. She has a proven track record of cleaning up financial messes, devising robust policies to prevent their recurrence, and maintaining a vigilant watch over financial monitoring. Her passion for numbers is evident in her commitment to improving financial policies and procedures, making them more effective and efficient. Her ultimate goal is to empower First Nation communities through sound financial management.
Stephanie Paul
Program and Partner Relations Manager
Stephanie Paul is Coast Salish on her father’s side and Secwepemc on her mother’s side. She was raised on Tsartlip Indian Reserve, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. With over 15 years of experience in office management and environmental advocacy, Stephanie has focused on First Nation title and rights matters. She has fostered collaboration across various levels of government, industry sectors and First Nation groups to address environmental issues.
Holding a degree in Business Administration and a certificate in Project Management has developed her skills in business productivity operations including decision making, leadership and project management. Her commitment to sustainable development and balancing economic growth with environmental preservation led her to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management from Thompson Rivers University.
Stephanie is dedicated to protecting the environment and ensuring its preservation for future generations to enjoy.
Joceline Marier
Executive Assistant (Bilingual)
With over 15 years of experience in community facings roles, Joceline has a proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency and delivering innovative solutions.
Born and raised in Ontario, on the ancestral territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations and treaty 2 lands, Joceline has built a career around her passion for community building and helping organizations thrive. Joceline holds a Bachelor of Arts in education and the French language and is proud to be fully bilingual.
When Joceline isn’t working, you will find her camping with her husky pup, baking, cooking, and immersing herself in different cultures and their food.
Emma Paul
Finance Administrator
With a robust background in finance, Emma Paul brings expertise to her role as Finance Administrator at NGN. As graduate of Western University in her hometown of London Ontario, Emma earned a bachelor’s degree specialized in Women’s Studies and Feminist Research.
Over the past 8 years, Emma has built a dynamic career in the finance industry, working with a diverse range of clients. Beginning as a Customer Service Representative at the retail banking level, she quickly advanced to roles such as Client Advisor, and Sales Associate at a leading Wealth Management firm.
Looking ahead, Emma aims to continue her professional growth by obtaining a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Western University to better support her team and communities.
Outside of the office, Emma enjoys spending time with her partner and two dogs, reading, and travelling when she can. Emma is also deeply committed to her volunteer work, advocating for youth with intellectual disabilities.
Courtney Duquette
Program and Partner Relations Coordinator (Bilingual)
Courtney Duquette was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario on Treaty 9 territory, with ties to the Mattagami First Nation. She graduated with honours from the social work program at Northern College and was the recipient of the most dedicated bursary award.
Much of Courtney’s career experience has been in office administration with having most recently worked for the Government of Ontario. Courtney’s desire to gain connection to her Indigenous ancestry and have a bigger positive impact on the world around her is what pushed her to pursue this opportunity with NGN. In her spare time, she loves to cook and enjoys spending time with her family and their beloved family pets, a mini dachshund named Portia and a cockatiel named Harvey.
Jacqueline Macgrandles-Macleod
Program and Partner Relations Coordinator
Jacqueline joined NGN in April of 2024 as a Program Coordinator, she is from the Lax Kw’alaams Nation. Her previous Job experience before joining NGN was working in the Security Industry as a Manager, then advancing to a Regional Manager. During Jacqueline’s time in Management, she worked with the Marketing Department to develop more awareness around Indigenous matters by creating an Indigenous awareness portal which provided information to staff on Residential schools, water advisories, Phillis Story and the important of orange shirt day.
First Nations issues have always meant a lot to her, and she is passionate about learning more in regard to First Nations history and how she can better support First Nations communities in reconciliation.
Desiraye Noname
Communications Intern
Desiraye Noname is a communications intern at the First Nations Guardianship Network, an organization that supports Indigenous Guardians in protecting and managing their lands and waters through traditional practices. Living in Regina, Saskatchewan, and belonging to Piapot First Nation, Desiraye is in her third year of pursuing a journalism degree at the First Nations University of Canada.
Desiraye’s passion for creativity shines through her talent for graphic design, illustration, and photography. She also has a deep affection for animals, including her three beloved dogs—Buddy the Dachshund, Bailey the Pug, and Juju the Chihuahua—as well as for plants. Desiraye is very proud of her vegetable garden at the university, despite her cucumbers sometimes looking a little bit lumpy.
With experience as a Human Relations intern at SaskEnergy, working on film sets, and contributing to CFNU The Stream, a student and faculty-run radio station that promotes Indigenous culture and storytelling, Desiraye has a refined set of skills in design, writing, and administration. Not to mention she penned an article for Eagle Feather News!
Television broadcasting is her goal, and hopefully be a reporter in the future; but for now, her ultimate goal is to merge her passion for storytelling with her dedication to environmental and cultural preservation, creating a more connected and informed world.