A.C. Lynch, GPC Desig. — governance practitioner and author

With more than 25 years of combined professional experience, working with Indigenous organizations in governance, A.C. Lynch brings a practical, informed, and culturally grounded perspective to governance. Her background spans governance, law, public service, and administration, giving her a strong understanding of the processes, legal and procedural requirements, accountability frameworks, and relationships that support effective board leadership and organizational decision-making.

She holds the GPC designation through Governance Professionals of Canada and specializes in governance administration, board support, meeting and records management, policy development, and practical education for the professionals who help governance function behind the scenes. Her work focuses on strengthening the systems, processes, and relationships that enable boards and organizations to operate with clarity, confidence, accountability, and purpose.

Her experience working with Indigenous organizations has deepened her appreciation for the diverse perspectives, community responsibilities, cultural protocols, and relationships that inform governance. She brings this understanding to her work with boards, helping organizations navigate complexity, strengthen governance practices, and create the conditions for thoughtful, inclusive, and effective decision-making.

A.C. Lynch was raised in west-central Saskatchewan, in the region surrounding Witchekan Lake First Nation, a Cree (Nêhiyaw) First Nation within Treaty 6 territory and the historic Métis Nation Homeland. As a Métis, her early exposure to learning Plains Cree helped shape her understanding of language, culture, community, and Indigenous perspectives. A.C. now lives and works on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe people, including the Algonquin Nation, and within the traditional and treaty lands of the Haudenosaunee people, including the Mohawk Nation, in southern Ontario.

Elder Dr. Lorraine Peters-Whitman, “Grandmother White Sea Turtle,” is a respected Mi’kmaq Elder and member of Glooscap First Nation in Nova Scotia. The daughter of the late Chief Joseph Peters and Elder Doris Peters, and granddaughter of the late Chief Louis Peters of Bear River, she comes from a family with a long history of community leadership and service.

Elder Dr. Peters-Whitman has spent decades supporting Indigenous communities through governance, health, advocacy, education, and cultural preservation. She served as an elected Councillor for Glooscap First Nation from 1997 to 2012 and for more than 15 years on the Board of Directors of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq. Her leadership has also included service on the Tripartite Forum Health Committee, the Annapolis Valley School Board, and numerous Indigenous advisory bodies.

In 2017, she was elected President of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association and became an Elder at Acadia University. In 2019, she was elected President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, where her work contributed to national advocacy for Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.

Elder Dr. Peters-Whitman continues to share Mi’kmaq knowledge, culture, language, ceremony, and teachings through her work as an Elder, advisor, educator, speaker, artisan, singer, and drummer. She is also a member of the Mi’kmawey Debert Elders Advisory Council and has been recognized for her longstanding contributions to Indigenous communities and cultural preservation.

Indigenous Board Administrative and Governance Services is honoured to include a welcome from Elder Dr. Lorraine Peters-Whitman within its educational materials. Her contribution reflects the importance of beginning learning with respect for Indigenous knowledge, community, and the values that guide governance.

Her welcome sets a tone of respect, responsibility, and service to future generations. We acknowledge Elder Dr. Lorraine Peters-Whitman’s generous contribution in sharing her words with participants.