Staff

Working Together

Tikinagan is an agency of more than 500 staff, led by a team of senior managers committed to fulfilling the original vision elders and chiefs had for the agency, and to serving children and families using the Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin model. We have staff in more than 35 different office locations across Northwestern Ontario, many of which are based in our First Nations communities.

Some of our departments include: administration, communications, finance, human resources, information technology, maintenance, services and training. Our Services Department oversees many frontline roles including: administrative coordinators, case aides, casual relief workers, child care workers, clinical counsellors, direct service supervisors, family services workers, intake screeners, intake and investigation workers, prevention outreach workers, quality assurance workers, residential care workers, and youth outreach workers. The individuals that fill these roles are essential to supporting our children, families, and communities.

Check out our Careers page to learn about current career opportunities at Tikinagan.

Meet our senior management team below.

Senior Management Team

ᑎᓫᒪ ᒪᐧᕑᐃᐡ, ᑲᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐨ

Thelma Morris,
Executive Director

A member of Kasabonika Lake First Nation, Thelma (Naomi) Morris is Tikinagan’s Executive Director. She reports directly to the Tikinagan Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall organization, direction and operation of Tikinagan services as well as providing leadership to the agency as a whole.

Thelma worked several years as a Tikinagan front line worker and supervisor after graduating from Confederation College with a Native Mental Health Worker diploma in 1997. She later continued her studies, earning two degrees from Lakehead University – Bachelor of Arts (2004) and Honours Bachelor of Social Work (2006). She also gained additional work experience as a researcher and counsellor for regional health and education organizations based in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout.

In 2009, Thelma returned to Tikinagan. Two years later she was promoted from being a service manager to director of services.

“Tikinagan is a dynamic agency with a unique service delivery model that promotes inclusion, empowerment and cultural respect. It is a pleasure to work with Tikingan because it values the mandate to keep children safe while maintaining strong connections with family and community. Meegwetch.”

ᕑᐁᒍ ᒥᑭᐡ, ᑲᓂᑲᓂᐡᑲᐠ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ

Rachel Tinney,
Associate Executive Director

It was in her home community of Deer Lake that Rachel Meekis developed a working kinship with Tikinagan Child & Family Services. As a foster parent, Rachel was introduced to the strong cultural values that govern the agency and the shared principles struck a chord. She applied for and began her career with Tikinagan as a Family Service Worker in 2005.

And her work ethic has been continually recognized since. In just two short years, Rachel became a Direct Services Supervisor, overseeing several community offices in northern Ontario. By 2011, she was once again promoted, this time to a Service Manager position. The added responsibilities only propelled her to work harder. Rachel guided nine supervisors as she continued to build her knowledge base with respect to child welfare by pursuing formal education.

Her commitment to working with First Nation communities in Northern Ontario and her experience earned her a role as a member of the agency’s executive management team in 2013. Rachel is continually striving to uphold and deliver the best care possible guided by Tikinagan’s vision, goals and principles.