Second youngest of four children Rob grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After graduating from Lakeview High School Rob went to Lakehead University and completed an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a specialty in economics and marketing. Being tired of long, cold winters Rob decided to pursue his career dreams in Vancouver, British Columbia but one winter of rain was enough to send Rob back to his home province of Ontario. Re-locating to Toronto Rob spent the next twenty-five years in publishing, managing a couple of iconic printing houses and meeting the love of his life (Penny). After raising three children (James, Mary and Lauren) the Furlongers decided it was time for another change. Being raised in Northern Ontario Rob longed for the land with big lakes, granite hills and pine forests once again but wanted to still be close to his children. The Orillia, Ontario area seemed perfect. It is there that Rob discovered Rama and its’ community on the eastern shore of Lake Couchiching. The Chippewas of Rama First Nation were a thriving, progressive people who required skilled, managerial talent to help its’ businesses grow and prosper, but to also build the capacity within the community to sustain their economy on their own. The Fit was just right and Rob became Rama First Nations General Manager of Business Operations and Economic Development in 2008.

For the past twelve and a half years Rob has managed and developed many businesses for Rama including four (4) retail shops in Casino Rama; a Shell Gas Station and Convenience Store; a 150+ slip marina; a 180 acre RV/Wilderness campground with Indigenous cultural experiences; two (2) Tim Hortons outlets; an organic community farm; multiple business leases; and representation on many economic/tourism boards including OFNEDA, Ontario’s’ Lake Country, Orillia Community Development Corporation and Simcoe County Regional economic committees. New projects in the works are the Rama Cannabis store and website, as well as, a new Rama Office Complex centre (home to the Rama Health Department and Indigenous Child & Family Services).

In the summer of 2020, at the age of 65, Rob decided it was time to pass the baton on to Rama community members to take all of these businesses to the next level. But Rob was not done yet. After becoming a member of the OFNEDA Executive Committee in 2019 he realized that the organization required a serious commitment of time and effort if it was to regain its’ stature and membership after some tough years. Although Rob could not continue to help support and lead the organization on the board, the opportunity to lead the membership as the new Executive Director did. Rob is excited and motivated to rebuild and reposition OFNEDA as the pre-eminent organization that represents the interests and economic wants and needs of the First Nations’ people of Ontario.

Peggy was a long term employee of the Chapleau Cree First Nation (CCFN), active in the community for over 31 years in various positions such as receptionist, Education Counsellor, Indigenous Registry Administrator, Healthcare Coordinator/Director and lastly as Community Economic Development Officer. She brings with her a positive "can do" attitude, strong belief in collaboration and commitment. Her integrity, honesty, flexibility, empathy, leadership, stability and reliability will assist to create positive change for our organization as we continue to grow and expand.

She is a educated and highly skilled person who has achieved her educational successes while facing the challenge of being a young wife and mother, and employed full-time. She has over the years completed her GED, Automated Office Skills program, Native Education Counsellor Training program, Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Certified First Nation Health Manager Program. She is keen to continue her pursuit of higher education in the economic development realm.

She is a proud Indigenous woman, wife of 37 years, mother of two adult men, grandmother of 7 beautiful grandchildren ranging in age from 21 to newborn and is a member of the Chapleau Cree. Peggy has lived and worked in her community since 1992, and has had a significant impact in the wellness and economic growth throughout the years. Throughout the years, she has always believed strongly in a healthy work-life balance.

Sue lives in Bracebridge, Ontario and has been a resident of Muskoka for the past 20 years. She is married with 6 adult children and an active participant in community and business development, the arts and culture and has worked closely with local organizations to improve the socio-economic status of at-risk populations.

With a Bachelor of Education and a BA in Social Welfare and Liberal Arts, Sue has been involved in adult education, social work, program coordination, and business entrepreneurship for the past 20 years. Her work has included the creation and implementation of an Indigenous Entrepreneurship Training Program with Beaver Creek Federal Institute, the design and delivery of an Indigenous Education program for inmates to earn their GED, Self Employment and Business Development Facilitator, Metis Nations of Ontario Hospitality and Tourism Training Program and a Family Well Being Cultural Coordinator for Wahta First Nations Cultural Centre.

In addition to experience offering training and facilitation, she is also a part owner of Stan W Tait Jewellery Design. In her spare time, she loves to cook, garden and is a multimedia artist. Sue is excited to be joining OFNEDA as the training coordinator and looks forward to working towards enhancing economic development for fi rst nations communities in Ontario.

It is with my great passion for economic development that I am with OFNEDA in this very exciting position.  We understand the value and responsibility for the training of indigenous businesses on how to do business with the federal and provincial governments, as well as the training of federal and provincial governments on how to do business with our indigenous businesses and community leaders.  OFNEDA has a very clear mandate and presents an opportunity to thrive.

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Monica has worked in various Indigenous organizations in varied roles for the last 20+ years – Waubetek Business Development Corp., Anishinabek Nation Management Group Inc., Anishinabek Nation, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (now Indspire), and Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services.  

She has a keen interest in economic development and has had business inspirations since she was a child. Monica is married with 2 boys, 2 step-children and 2 grandchildren.  She is excited about her new position at OFNEDA and looks forward to applying her varied skills to her new role as the Research/Member Support Specialist.  

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