MEDIA RELEASE: NAFC Announces Dr. Jonathon Potskin as new Policy and Research Manager
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2023
NAFC Announces Dr. Jonathon Potskin as new
Policy and Research Manager
The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Jonathon Potskin to the role of Policy and Research Manager. Dr. Potskin is Nehiyaw from Sawridge First Nation and Métis from Alberta. Dr. Potskin holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology from the University of Sydney in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Prior to joining the NAFC, Dr Potskin was the Executive Director for 2 Spirits in Motion Society, and Manager of Academic Integrity at Native Education College. Jonathon grew up in the Friendship Centre Movement with the Slake Lake Native Friendship Centre and the Canadian Native Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Their research and community development goals have been to better represent urban Indigenous cultural, governance, and civic identities.
“We are excited to have Dr. Potskin join the growing and dynamic NAFC team. It is great to see someone with his deep community experience and high formal education join us to lead our Policy and Research work.” said Jocelyn Formsma, NAFC Chief Executive Officer “I know Jonathon will be a great addition to the team bringing their knowledge and experience to advance the vision and impact of the Friendship Centre Movement.”
“I am honored to be working at the NAFC. My Grandmother Georgina Donald and my Father Lyle Donald raised myself and our family at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton. I spent my weekends as a child learning Métis jigging and Men’s traditional pow-wow dancing and becoming one of the main dancers for the CNFC Traditional Metis Dancers in my youth. My first job was as a Summer Counselor for the day camp program and was the first Youth Board Member for the CNFC. In the last few years, I was able to work with National Indigenous organizations and in 2020 during the lockdown I completed and graduated with my PhD in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Sydney in Australia. I am hoping to bring forward a strong research and policy framework that can help enhance our urban Indigenous communities across Canada” said Dr. Jonathon Potskin.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
John Paillé
Senior Communications Coordinator
The NAFC represents over 100 local Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations in every province and territory in Canada (except Prince Edward Island). Friendship Centres are urban Indigenous community hubs that provide a wide range of programs and services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people living in urban, rural, and northern communities. Collectively, Friendship Centres are the largest and most comprehensive urban Indigenous service delivery network in Canada.