Meet the Commissioners

Bella started as a social aide and community worker in Mistissini and served for 15 years as a senior manager at the Cree Health Board before she was elected Chairperson in 2012, serving two terms in this role. A lifelong leader, she also served as councillor in Mistissini for several years.

Bella was born on her family’s trapline on the Eastmain River and was raised there up to age 10; she attended residential school in Fort George from 1961 to 1965 and in 1966-67.

In 1965-66, she received teachings for a girl with her family on their lands, learning skills and teachings that she has carried into adult life. She graduated from high school in Rouyn-Noranda, learning French while boarding with a francophone family, and then undertook Medical Secretary training at Algonquin College in the early 70s. After getting married to Buckley Petawabano and starting a family, Bella completed a Certificate of Social Work at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Social Work at McGill University.

Bella’s contribution to the Cree Health Board as Chairperson includes a reformed governance model that is now being looked at as an example of best practice by First Nations across Canada. She initiated the two regional health assemblies where representatives of our communities, including the youth, identified their priorities for health and social services. These priorities are now at the core of the Cree Health Board’s strategic regional plan. Bella’s lifelong dream of bringing birthing back to Eeyou Istchee is now a reality. Bella is a recognized leader in Indigenous health and she was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Red Cross.

Having worked with post-secondary students within the Cree School Board for many years, she transitioned to the Justice and Correctional Services Department of Cree Nation Government where she dedicated herself to clinical work with individuals who had extreme difficulties in managing some of the consequences of their traumas, notably addictions and other forms of abuses and violence toward themselves or others.

Her thirst for improving the way she could best serve those in need and recreating how and with whom she worked, she recently developed her private practice, learning about the world of entrepreneurship and leadership as a result. This culminated in her founding Siikuun, an Indigenous Healing & Transformational Retreat.

Obtaining a graduate degree in Counselling Psychology from McGill University, as well as being certified in various healing modalities, such as Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy, Lorraine believes that the most sacred and powerful tool any helper can have is relationship building, and that this is where true potential for growth resides.