The Anishinabek Education System (AES) Youth Council is a collective of youth leaders from across participating First Nations who provide insight, voice, and leadership on matters affecting Anishinabek youth within the AES. The newly elected Youth Council was chosen on April 8th and 9th, 2025, during the annual Niigaan Gdizhaami Forum in Sault Ste. Marie, through a traditional stand-up election process. This year’s council includes a total of eight youth councillors, each committed to representing all AES regions and promoting youth engagement in education, culture, and community development. Looking ahead, the Youth Council aims to continue building strong relationships among youth, increase cultural knowledge sharing, and amplify youth voices in decision-making spaces within the AES.
To get in touch with the AES Youth Council, please email:
Kaelyn Pizzale
Youth Initiatives Coordinator
kaelyn.pizzale@a-e-s.ca
Meet the AES Youth Council!
Cailen Hanzlik, Ogimaa Kwe
Nipissing First Nation
Aaniin, Waabgwaniins ndizhnikaaz, nbisiing ndoonjibaa, Waabzheshiinh ndoodem, Anishinaabe Kwe ndaaw, Laurentian University ndoo-kinomaagos.
Aaniin, hello, my name is Cailen, my Anishinaabe name is Little Flower, I am 21 years old, I am from Nipissing First Nation and I am from the Marten Clan. This fall I will be entering my 4th year of post-secondary studies at Laurentian University in the Indigenous Social Work program with a minor in Indigenous Studies. In April of 2023, I was elected as the Anishinabek Education System and the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body Youth Council Gimaa Kwe (Chief).
It is with great honour that I am able to sit on the Youth Council with 10 other brilliant Anishinaabe students from across the province to collaborate and include youth voices in decision-making related to our education. We look forward to gathering and making positive changes to decrease the barriers and challenges that Anishinaabe youth face in the mainstream education system.
Jim Forneri
Netmizaaggamig First Nation
Hi, my name is Jim, I’m in grade 10 and I am currently 16.
I hope I can make a change for other youth, and future generations to come and learn the Anishinabek ways of life, our traditions, and culture, within school systems.
Miigwech.
Daynara Cyr
Zhiibaahaasing First Nation
My name is Daynara Cyr. I live in Greater Sudbury and I am from Sheshegwaning, Zhiibaahaasing, and Beausoleil First Nation.
I’m a very active community member in the Sudbury Friendship Centre. I take as many classes as possible to learn about the culture and language. I love to paint in the Ojibwe pop art and floral styles. I am passionate about beading and learning our beautiful language.
I joined the council in hopes of being apart of positive change.
Lucius Cyr
Zhiibaahaasing First Nation
Bio coming soon!
Jade Goulais
Nipissing First Nation
Boozhoo, Wabanoo Kwe ndizhnikaz, Nishnaabe n’daaw, Nippising First Nation ndoonjibaa, Sturgeon Falls Ontario ndoondaa. St. Joseph Scollard-Hall ndoo-kinomaagos.
Hello, my name is Jade Goulais (Wabanoo Kwe), I am a two-spirit nishnaabe, I come from Nippising First Nation, I reside in Sturgeon Falls Ontario, and I just graduated from St. Joesph Scollard Hall with a special high skills major in, indigenous culture and arts. Next year I will be attending Canadore College in the Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention program.
I feel extremely honored and grateful to have this opportunity to be a part of this year’s AES Youth Council. As I am a Mental Health Advocate, my biggest aspiration is to improve Indigenous Youth Mental Health by healing through culture. Miigwech.
Lucy Paibomsai
Whitefish River First Nation
Bio coming soon!
Nakia Nahwegahbow
Whitefish River First Nation
Bio coming soon!
Carson Norton-Sutherland
Beausoleil First Nation
Carson Norton-Sutherland is a youth in Grade 12 from Chimnissing who is involved in Theatre at his high school in Midland Ontario.
He hopes to serve and make a change with his place on the AES Youth Council.