Deborah Richardson

Deborah Richardson and her two daughters Jasmine and Fiona Fairbairn are members of the Pabineau First Nation. Deborah completed her undergraduate degree at Carleton University and graduated from law school at the University of Ottawa. She was a founding member of the Aboriginal cell of the Student Legal Aid Clinic at the University and worked for three years at the Aboriginal Justice Directorate, Department of Justice. She articled with a prestigious firm that specialized in criminal law and was called to the Bar in 1996. At that time, she chose to pursue a career opportunity at the Royal Bank of Canada rather than practice law. At the bank, Ms. Richardson became a business banker and learned about the essentials of financing, operating and managing businesses. She was also very active in the development of economic development initiatives and market opportunities for the bank within Aboriginal communities nationally.

In 1998, Ms. Richardson was instrumental in implementing a national strategy at the Royal Bank that promoted leveraging the diversity of its workforce, marketplace and structures. In 1999, Ms. Richardson had a strong yearning to work within the Native community and assumed the position of Executive Director of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. She was successful at increasing the Friendship Center's core budget by over $2 million annually. She is also a founding Director of Mishkaowjiwan: The Native Centre Foundation.

Upon leaving the Friendship Centre, she was Director of Operations at O.I. Employee Leasing, an Aboriginal owned and operated business situated on the Six Nations of the Grand River. O.I. is a company that is challenging the Federal Government on First Nations taxation issues. Deborah represented the company nationally to advocate Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

In her most recent role, she is the Associate Regional Director General (ARDG), Ontario Region at the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. She also is a volunteer Board member of Anishnawbe Health Toronto.

Deborah is presently living in Toronto. Email address: deborahrichardson@hotmail.com