Email: [email protected]
Phone: 705-859-1653

 Seija Deschenes - Project Coordinator
Seija is currently employed through Manitoulin Streams as the Project Coordinator and has been in the position since January 2007.  She graduated from Laurentian University with an Honors B.Sc. in Biology and has been working in the field of science for 24  years.  She has worked for a variety of government and non-profit organizations such as the Ministry of Natural Resources, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit and Ducks Unlimited conducting fish and wildlife studies; invertebrate and water quality surveys; as well as restoration and rehabilitation projects.  To date as the Project Coordinator, she has been able to leverage close to $7.2 million dollars in committed funds and in-kind support from various partners.

Sonya McCaffrey - Environmental Technician 
With a Bsc. background in Zoology from Laurentian University, Sonya is passionate about the natural world. Her formal education increased her interest in environmental issues, ecology, and remediation. Unsure after graduating in 2023, she pursued various work opportunities to expand her skill set before landing at Manitoulin Streams in summer 2025. Having a family active in hunting, fishing, and camping; she has loved the outdoors, Manitoulin Island, and all it has to offer since childhood. Sonya organized our 2nd annual fishmas sock auction and helped finish organizing our 2026 Jacket and Jeans auction dinner. We look forward to what she will continue to bring to our non-profit!

Email: [email protected]

Volunteer Nursery Manager- Ken Pearce
Ken  was born in  Shropshire, England. His father was a timber and builders merchant. He started his first tree nursery at the age of 14 yrs old, just for fun. In 1997 he came to the island from Stoney Creek, and purchased a beautiful 3 acre treed lot. In 1998 he designed his PWF all wood home and was very proud to be asked by Bob Florean to help form what became MASC. When retired at age 65, he and his wife decided to open a B&B in Providence Bay called Cedarwood Lodge. With the amalgamation of MASC and Manitoulin Streams, Ken continues his dedication to the organization. To date, Ken still puts much energy into growing trees in his greenhouse to raise money for stewardship efforts. He comes to many events to help sell trees, and is by far, the best tree salesman around.

GOVERNANCE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Since its beginnings as a community-led group in 2001, Manitoulin Streams has been guided by a dedicated, volunteer Board of Directors. The Board provides oversight, strategic direction, and accountability to support the organization’s mission of protecting and restoring rivers and streams across Manitoulin Island.

The Board is composed of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and four Board Members. Several current members have been involved with Manitoulin Streams since its early years, bringing long-standing knowledge, continuity, and a deep connection to the Island and its waters.

Manitoulin Streams is committed to inclusive and representative governance. Our Board includes both female and First Nation members, reflecting the diverse communities of Manitoulin Island, which is home to six First Nation reserves. This diversity strengthens our decision-making and ensures our work is informed by a range of lived experiences, perspectives, and relationships to land and water.
​
The Board operates under established governance policies and procedures to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. These policies outline expectations related to meeting conduct, financial oversight, roles and responsibilities, and the management of potential conflicts of interest. Through this structure, the Board works collaboratively to support the long-term health of Manitoulin’s waters and the communities that depend on them.

Board Chair – Ted Williamson Ted is a landowner along the Manitou River (sites M48 through M52) who’s high priority sites were scheduled for rehabilitation work in the summer of 2005. Ted was born and raised on Manitoulin Island where he spends most of his free time. As a senior maintenance supervisor with Inco, Ted has worked on mine closure and rehabilitation projects and understands the value rehabilitation projects have on the environmental health of communities as a whole. Ted became the Chair of Manitoulin Streams in the fall of 2011.

Vice Chair – Brian Rammako Brian had been involved with Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council for many years, and now is a vital part of Manitoulin Stream's board. He is a successful business owner of Rammako's in Sudbury and owns a home and land on Manitoulin. Brian has been a welcomed energy brining ideas such as the last successful "Jackets & Jeans" gala fundraiser held in June 2016, which was held annually until COVID when he again helped us pivot into our Father's Day Gourmet Food Box Fundraiser.

Treasurer – Algis Tribinevicius Algis Tribinevicius lives on a farm in Sandfield township. Two intermittent streams on the property feed into the Manitou River, and before the land was cleared, undoubtedly were spawning streams running cool water shaded and cooled by majestic timbers. Al taught elementary school for 37 years, served on municipal council for 11 years, keeps bees, and is a licensed radio operator at station VE3AIB. Al believes that we must be stewards of the land. He is proud to be a member of Manitoulin Streams from its inception a number of years ago.

Board Member – Leslie Fields Leslie has been a Manitoulin Streams Board member since 2025. She is a life-long committed volunteer and community member in the Assiginack area. Leslie and her late husband Delmer (seen here) are well known for many community events such as the annual Assiginack easter egg hunt. Leslie and Delmer have been an invaluable part of the Streams family and we are truly grateful for all they have done over the years. Thank you both and we will miss you Delmer.

Board Member - Robert Florean Bob started out working for the MNRF in 1975 as a Fire Crew member and expanded his experience in Forestry. He came to Espanola in 1999 as the Fish and Wildlife Technical Specialist and in his final years before he retired he worked as the Manitoulin Stewardship Coordinator. After Bob retired, he started his own environmental consulting company, LaCloche Ecological Services and continued volunteering with many not-for-profit organizations (Manitoulin Streams, the United Walleye Club, Little Current Fish and Game Club etc.). Bob and his wife now reside in Espanola, Ontario. Bob volunteers much of his time helping with funding applications, providing technical support and educating volunteers and youth to be future stewards of the land. Manitoulin Streams is a successful working entity today due to his efforts and vision he once had a long time ago. We are very happy to have Bob return as a board member.

---

Board Member – Neil Debassige Neil was born on Manitoulin Island and raised on the M’Chigeeng First Nation. Neil attended McMaster University in Hamilton where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 and then attended Brock University where he received a Bachelor of Education degree the following year. Neil returned home in the fall of 1995 to accept a teaching position at Lakeview School where he taught Math, Science and Physical Education to grades 6, 7, and 8. After teaching for 5 years he started his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership with San Diego State University which he completed in 2004. From 1999 – 2003 Neil accepted the high school Principal-ship position at Francine J. Wesley Secondary School in the fly-in First Nation community of Kashechewan, on the coast of James Bay. His return home in 2003 took him to another Principal Position at Wasse-Abin High School in Wikwemikong. The Principal position at Lakeview was then offered and accepted in 2004. Neil was the Principal/Education Director in his home community of M’Chigeeng from 2006 until 2013. Neil is also the owner and host of an outdoor program on youtube called Fuel the Fire TV. Neil is an avid sports enthusiast, proud parent of two beautiful girls, and outdoorsman. Neil has made time to volunteer and he enjoys fishing, hunting, snowboarding and everything outdoors.

Board Secretary– Elsa Lindfield Elsa is a new member to Manitoulin Streams. She was born and raised in Sudbury. Her parents immigrated from Finland and instilled a love for the outdoors; including hunting, fishing and hiking. It was a way of life from a young age. For the last 12 years, she is a business owner working as a Medical Billing and Coding specialist. As a long-time volunteer with various youth sports programs, she thought it was time to expand to share her passion for nature and conservation.

Board Member – Jesse Beaudin

In Memorium: Delmer Fields

Delmer became involved with our organization in 2008 restoring Norton’s Creek, then later becoming a board member from 2014 - 2025. His help working on Norton’s Creek became an annual event to stock brook trout eggs into Scotty boxes to re-establish the population. As a part of our organization he offered guidance, support, and a helping hand in building when we needed him. With unmatched generosity, humility, and unwavering commitment to his community he truly set a golden standard. 
We are profoundly grateful for everything Delmer contributed to Manitoulin Streams and Manitoulin Island as a whole. He will be deeply missed, and his legacy will continue to guide our work and our values for years to come. 
Thank you Delmer for all the work you have helped us with and thank you to his family for their continued support. Our condolences go out to his family for their loss.