FNHDA Elder Advisor

Virginia (Ginny) was one of the founding FNHDA Board members. She has committed the past 6 years to the creation and development of the Association. Our Board relies on her, based on her many years of experience in the field and different roles she has held, and as a Health Director. Ginny plans to retire in March and will stepping down from her role as Secretary-Treasurer for the FNHDA Board of Directors. Ginny’s dedication, kind leadership, and beautiful way of bringing resolution to the group have been a real treasure to FNHDA and the Board.

Virginia Peters is an Elder whose parents were William and Nancy Phillips from Chehalis, BC. Her immediate family consists of 3 daughters, 2 sons, 11 grandchildren, 6 foster grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She has a large extended family (definitely over 1,500). Her family is very close-knit and is strongly linked with the extended family.

Coming from a strong matriarchal system, Ginny’s professional life began with several years of volunteering. She began Community Services in 1960. The Community Services she was involved with at Chehalis included Religion (Church) Committee, Longhouse, Youth Group, Youth Native Dance Group, School Board, Band Councilor (4 terms), Chief (1 term), and Social Development Portfolio (Sto:lo Tribal Council). Her professional experience started in 1972 and included Secretary/ Bookkeeper, Manager of Health, Social Development and Family Services, Coordinating  Health Transfer Plans, Coordinating  Special Projects and Accounting.

Being a family and community oriented person, Ginny continues to dedicate much time and effort to assist in the community development and healing. She firmly believes that culture and spirituality is the key to healing and rebuilding the strength of our families and communities.

Liz became a proud member of the FNHDA Board after her election at fall 2019 AGM. She is originally from Chehalis First Nation where she was born and raised, attended Chehalis Indian Day School and then went on to Agassiz High School. Liz married into Skowkale First Nations into the Point Family and has been with her spouse for 47 years and has four children, many grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Liz returned to school as a mature student at UFV in Chilliwack where she holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She worked at the Sto:lo Nation in roles with increasing responsibility – from RN, supervisor, manager of health programs and then as Health Director before leaving in 2009. Since that time Liz has worked at Seabird Health as the Health Programs Manager and during that time attended Health Director Association meetings and been “a member in good standing” for Seabird for the last 10 years.

Janice George, Nauness, has served as the Health Director for Sts’ailes Yeqwethet since 2017 and was elected to the FNHDA Board of Directors in November of the same year. Paternally, Janice is from Sts’ailes; maternally, she is from Squamish Nation. Her husband is from Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and together they have seven children and eight grandchildren. Janice lives in the pristine Sts’ailes territory, along the Harrison River in the Fraser Salish Region.

As a leader, Janice is known for her deep knowledge of Sts’ailes culture and spirituality, and emphasizes the inclusion of cultural practices in her daily work. As a Health Director, she also actively promotes Lateral Kindness and Healthy lifestyle choices for a better tomorrow for future generations.

Janice brings to the Board a strong professional background, including five years of managerial experience and eight years of supervisory experience. In addition to her work as Sts’ailes’ Health Director, Janice held a position in administrative governance and also human resources and employment counselling, among other roles.

She holds a Psychology Associate of Arts Degree, General Studies Diploma from Douglas College and an Office Technology & Administration Certificate – Finance Option from Capilano University. She is currently completing her Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator Diploma with AFOA Canada. Janice is a lifetime learner of cultural teachings.

Health Director, Boothroyd Band

Terrie Davidson has worked for her community of Boothroyd since the 1990s, wearing a number of hats, from Health Director (since 2012) to Band Manager and others. Terrie has thrived as Boothroyd’s Health Director, creating many exciting wellness initiatives. Her many achievements include the development of Phillip Campbell Healing House, where community members can join healing circles and participate in arts and crafts, nurturing their mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health.

She also champions a collaborative approach to all health and wellness projects by partnering with the 32 Fraser Salish Communities as well as other community services and the Regional Health Authorities. Among this work, she notes the efforts she’s led in suicide prevention for youth, including a recent regional Youth Gathering in Chawathil to develop tools and strategies for prevention, intervention and postvention. Young people from across the region played an active role in the event’s planning and support—ensuring that it represented their needs.

Judy Maas, aDene/Cree from Blueberry River First Nation of the Treaty 8 territory, has held many management roles for more than 25 years for Treaty 8 nations. Judy lives and works in the Interior Region, and was formerly an Aboriginal Liaison for Interior Health Authority for six years. Since 2013, she has worked at Splatsin as Health Director on a range of community health initiatives including the development of partnerships to create pathways which imbed cultural safety into systems and organizations that intersect with Indigenous people. Both the First Nations Meditech Access projectfunded by the First Nations Health Authority, as well as the Splatsin in Health Services Cultural Walkthrough Project, continue to support culturally safe care at regional and provincial levels. This role is a natural progression in her personal goal of a “journey for change”.

Judy was an elected Tribal chief in Treaty 8 NE BC territory and held numerous roles in the nationShe is a sought-after speaker, and recently served as one of four witnesses who spoke at the first national roundtable on MMIW in Ottawa in 2015 about the growing pandemic and overrepresentation of violence suffered by Indigenous women and girls.

As well, Judy was part of the First Nation Women Amnesty report released in 2016. It remains Judy’s experience that most First Nation people have faced barriers and systemic discrimination within government social supports, services and programs, creating additional layers of violence. As such, Judy’s goal is to advocate for those who encounter systemic marginalization.

Bio and picture forthcoming

Shelley Lampreau is the Health Director of the Simpcw Health Centre.

Bio forthcoming

Regina Thomas is the Health Director for Saik’uz First Nation since July 2018. She was elected to the FNHDA Board of Directors in September 2020.

Her maternal grandparents are the late Morris and Dr. Sophie Thomas. Her mother is Minnie Thomas and late father is Lloyd Laboucan. She is from Saik’uz and sits with the frog clan. Regina has 3 adult children: 2 sons and 1 stepdaughter. She resides with her spouse in his home community.

Her late grandmother practiced and evolved the traditional medicine taught to her by her grandmother and passed this onto her daughter, Minnie. The teachings of these women and ancestral teachings are the cornerstone to Regina, thus laying the foundation to the dedication and passion to the physical health of oneself, and to the health of the land which is a large part of our wellbeing.

Since Regina began her role as the health manager, the traditional practices of Saik’uz have been incorporated into the community health plan and weaved into all services and programs delivered by the health department.

Regina is currently attending the University of Northern British Columbia to obtain her BA degree, with a major in First Nation Studies and a minor in Environmental Science.

Coreen Paul is the Health Program Manager at the Musqueam Nation.

Health Director, Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society

Rosemary Stager is originally from Lil’wat Nation and has held the position of Health Director at Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society (SSHS) for the past two years, where she serves the four Southern Stl’atl’imx communities. In just two years, Rosemary has overseen a number of innovative wellness initiatives—always grounded in culture. One of the most popular projects that she’s worked on is a men’s health group, which holds regular outdoor meetings. At these gatherings, men from Southern Stl’atl’imx and their surrounding communities share teachings, hold health interventions and support each other to reconnect with their land and cultures.

Another of Rosemary’s major achievements is SSHS’ upcoming move to a new building in Mount Currie that is wheelchair accessible and includes an updated kitchen for hosting canning and preserving programs as well as nutrition sessions for diabetics.

President, First Nations Health Directors Association, and Health Director, Hailika’as Heiltsuk Health Society

Keith is an experienced professional with over 30 years of experience working with federal, provincial and private organizations in managerial and senior administrative positions with these organizations. Keith possesses a Bachelors of Education, Bachelors and Masters of Social Work and a Master’s in Public Administration from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Currently Keith is the Director of Community Health Programs for the Hailika’as Heiltsuk Health Centre in Bella Bella BC. Keith began his career with the Department of Health & Social Services-New Brunswick-Senior Social Worker specializing in First Nations Child Welfare. It was during this tenure Keith developed the protocol for the placement of Aboriginal Children into foster care. It was through this protocol that First Nations’ agencies determined the priorities for Aboriginal foster homes in the community. Keith also worked with several other First Nations governments including Burnt Church and Red Bank First Nations in New Brunswick, Membertou and Millbrook First Nations in Nova Scotia and Katlodeeche First Nation in Hay River Northwest Territories. From 1999 to 2002, Keith was a member of the National Parole Board. In 2003, Keith was the Director of Community Health and Allied Services for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority in Hay River NT.

Keith looks forward to serving with the FNHDA representing the Central Coast.

Health Director, Kwakiutl District Council Health Office

Kim Roberts is from the Wei Wai Kai First Nation (Campbell River Band), and works as the Health Director for Kwakiutl District Council Health (KDC Health), since 2011 as an acting role, and officially as of 2013. Her leadership and care are focused first and foremost on the community she serves, where she ensures that programs and services are delivered with respect and that honour the community and individuals’ dignity.

Kim honours culture through traditional healing including: regalia making, cedar offering, workshops and group work (with individuals and families), and work in the Bighouse. One of the most notable workshops was with Jane Middleton-Moz, who is a therapist that speaks on culture, grief and trauma. The workshop had more than 50 attendees, providing families with the tools needed for their grievances. Kim believes in being a role model and walking the talk. Kim gets out on the land and walks with the community. She is proud of the wellness initiatives taking place within the KDC member Nations. Community members are still participating in the 2013 FNHC Beefy Chiefs Campaign – Step Up. There is a large population walking with their Fitbit each day and there is also an Elders walking program.

Some Elders have a goal to join the 300 community members who participate in the 2017 Run the Spit – Aboriginal Day Celebration. Members of KDC Health keep active, as they also participate in the Times Colonist 10K, which included 82 team members. As Health Director, her goal is to provide outstanding services for community members and staff. She strives to maintain and develop ongoing capacity at all levels within the organization. Kim is from the community she serves. She is inspired by her community members as she enjoys working with Elders and youth. She is there to make a difference.

Bio forthcoming.

Health Director, Hupacasath First Nation

Vanessa Charlong is an Administrative Officer/Health Director and is a Nuu-chah-nulth representative for the Vancouver Island Region. Vanessa is a member of the Hupacasath First Nation in Port Alberni, B.C. She has been a Health Director for 14 years for her nation.

Vanessa’s work involves taking care of Education, Reception and Membership and a number of other items. She presents around the Kitchen table training, coordinates monthly lunch and learns, and helps with formulating crisis response protocols for the community. Her relevant training includes ATKT – HIV/STI training, TB- DOT training, Help, Healing and Safe Talk training and Brief Action Plan interviewing.

Dealing with community members and the bonds/relationships that are formed and making people happier and healthier are what Vanessa loves about her job as a Health Director. She maintains her health by eating healthy, laughing lots and spending time with her family.

Getting out in nature or going for long drives, traditional dancing, and spending time with her kids are what she likes to do in her personal time. Vanessa loves to spend her time with her Grandmother Nessie Watts, Mother, Sandra Vissia, one sister, and her two brothers. She also loves being silly and having fun with her kids.

Vanessa practices the Mental Wellness campaign objectives – Honoring the land, Powering Down, and Weaving Support Networks – by getting outside and spending time near the water and trees; hiding her IPad under the couch cushions across the room; and, getting lots of support from family, work, friends and community.

One of her favorite best initiatives is the around the Kitchen Table training which will eventually become monthly Womens’ dinners. She also enjoys the monthly lunch and learns and rebranding our Health Programs. She practices lateral kindness by complimenting people on ‘the little things’.

Vannessa is honoured to be a part of the Board and would like to thank the Nuu-chah-nulth Health Directors for their faith and support of her in this position.