Brian remains active in his community. He is currently the Board President of the Orange Shirt Society, where together with its founder, Phyllis Webstad, Brian helps to bring forward the true history of Canada's past of the impact of Indian Residential Schools on the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit. He also currently sits on the Niagara Community Foundation Board of Directors.
Brian has previously held senior leadership roles with a number of community service organizations including: Niagara Falls Community Health Centre (President), Rotary Club of Niagara Falls - Sunrise (President), and West Niagara Palliative Care Services (President), and Niagara Region Métis Council (Chair and Senator). Brian has also contributed to his community as a Board Member for: Heartland Forest, Niagara Region Support Services, Niagara Health System Foundation (Finance Committee) and AIDS Niagara (now Positive Living Niagara). He has also been active in many local and provincial committees: Niagara Falls Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Canada Summer Games 2022 - Indigenous Partnership Council, Niagara Regional Police Service Community Inclusion Council, Celebration of Nations, Regional Municipality of Niagara's Accessibility Advisory Committee, Niagara Falls Mayor's Accessibility Advisory Committee, Landscape of Nations 360, Reclaiming Our Heritage (Niagara Falls History Museum), Indigenous Education Advisory Council (Niagara Catholic District School Board, District School Board of Niagara, Brock University and Niagara College),and OQCC.
Proud of his Métis heritage, Brian uses every opportunity to speak out on behalf of the Métis Nation and for all First Nations, Inuit and Métis. He has been gifted by his community the role of Fire Keeper, where he was seen regularly throughout the seven years of the Celebration of Nations in St. Catharines, ON. He continues to support community as the Fire Keeper at the Niagara Parks' annual Indigenous Veterans Day (Valour and Victory) held at Queenston Heights.
Brian was recently (May 2026) awarded a Mayor's Medal from Mayor Sandra Easton (Town of Lincoln) where he had previously been recognized as one of the 50 Faces of Lincoln during their 50th anniversary (2020). He is a two time Paul Harris Fellow, as well as having received the Head, Hands and Heart Award from Rotary International. He was awarded the Patrick Cummings Award of Excellence from the City of Niagara Falls (ON) for his contributions to making the City more accessible to person with disabilities. In 2015, Brian was recognized by the Province of Ontario as an AODA Champion, as part of the 10 year anniversary celebrations of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
--Photo courtesy of Mark Zelinski
