Donna Wiitala

SECRETARY

Donna Wiitala is an alumna of both Lakehead and Yorkville Universities. She is a former Occasional Teacher for Lakehead Public Schools and a current candidate for a local position as a Qualifying Psychotherapist. Donna enjoys giving her time to such volunteer positions as a Hospice Northwest grief and loss counsellor. Previously, she was the owner and proprietor of Checkmark Centre d’Excellence, a French tutoring business.

One of Donna’s personal goals is to help improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. In addition to sitting on the Board of Directors for the Handicapped Action Group Incorporated, Donna worked for the Independent Living Resource Centre and Persons United for Self Help Northwest (PUSH Northwest) when it was active. Before becoming a member of Fort William First Nation, Donna represented the Metis Nation of Ontario at a national forum on Metis persons and disability in Vancouver and Montreal.

Donna also volunteers with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, giving them her perspective as an Indigenous woman with a disability when they are choosing medical students. Donna is optimistic that the Board of Directors of the HAGI will continue to accomplish their goals on behalf of persons with disabilities in our region. The organization stands as an example for other communities in Canada.