We at Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) celebrated our 40th year of operation in 2025!
This third and final video in a three-part series explores what might be on the horizon for our organization and the next generation of learners.
As we look to reach more people, we are continually guided and inspired by our communities and leaders who push us forward while remaining grounded in who we are.
Our board of directors has dreams of bringing SGEI and its learners to new heights, establishing resources for those who need them, and providing tailored support to each individual.
The future is bright for learners in Treaty 3 territory. We are grateful for the opportunity to empower learners today, tomorrow, and for the next seven generations.
Missed the first few videos from this series? Find them on our previous blog posts or our YouTube channel.
More about the people in the video:
Peggy Loyie, Vice Chair of SGEI’s Board of Directors
Since its founding, SGEI has been governed by the ten First Nations communities surrounding its main campus on Agency One lands. Peggy serves as the board’s Vice Chair as an executive member. Peggy is an active member of the community and has worked for years as the Program Manager of Rainy River District Victim Services in Fort Frances.
Naomi Field, Board Chair
Naomi has been a member of SGEI’s board of directors for 26 years and has been its chair for 16 years. Naomi established the revised mission statement for SGEI that supported the direction of providing education and training for all people with the ultimate goal of providing degrees, diplomas, and certificates that are grounded in the knowledge systems of the Anishinaabe, recognizing the importance of the traditions of the First Nation territory, and most importantly, creating opportunities for everyone to access Anishinaabemowin.
Brent Tookenay, CEO
Brent worked closely under Delbert Horton, the founder of the organization, taking over as CEO after Delbert’s retirement in 2015. He began as a high school teacher in the early days of SGEI. Since becoming CEO, Brent has overseen many historic changes at SGEI including the construction of our new Rainy Lake Campus which opened in 2019, the opening of our Sioux Lookout Campus in 2021, the creation of the Anishinaabemodaa partnership between SGEI, RRDSB, and SayITFirst in 2017, and most recently, the renaming of the Rainy Lake Campus in late 2024, formerly known as the Fort Frances Campus.
Shannon Chapman, Gaa-niigaanishkang Anishinaabemodaa Anokiiwin (The one who represents the Anishinaabemodaa program)
Shannon began her journey with SGEI as a summer student, working as a camp counsellor before enrolling in the Secondary School in her home community of Nigigoonsiminikaaning.
Today, as the Gaa-niigaanishkang Anishinaabemodaa Anokiiwin (lead of the language work), she represents the Waking Up Ojibwe – Anishinaabemodaa Language Initiative. The Initiative first began as a partnership with SGEI, its 10 governing communities, the Rainy River District School Board, and SayITFirst. Three years into the work, the Mastercard Foundation joined as a supporter, helping strengthen and expand efforts and the overall goal: to help put Anishinaabemowin back into the homes of the Anishinaabe people, reconnecting with speakers and empowering community-based programs.
Dennis Jones, Instructor and Knowledge Keeper
Pebaamibines, or Dennis Jones as he known in English, has worked with the Ojibwe language for many years at Rainy River Community College, University of Minnesota, St. Cloud State University, Moorhead State University, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, and now SGEI. Over the past few years, Dennis has worked closely with Anishinaabemodaa as an instructor for the four-week immersion Daga Anishinaabemowin class and a consultant on the Medicine, Song, and Prayer class.
Pebaamibines has facilitated many staff retreats for the organization, sharing with staff his vast knowledge on Anishinaabe culture, his water drum, and his humour.
Dan Bird, former Indigenous Vice Principal
Dan Bird has served as the Indigenous Vice Principal of Fort Frances High School for many years through SGEI’s Elementary and Secondary Support Program partnership with the Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB). This partnership supports Indigenous students enrolled in RRDSB schools and provides leadership at the provincial, system, and school levels. Dan retired from SGEI in 2025.