Sulksun has been of service to his family, community and others officially since 1976. Sulksun is a proud member of the Point Family, Musqueam Indian Band and the entire Coast Salish Nation.

During the past 46 years he has participated in cross cultural work for the Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments as well as various educational institutions. He is now proudly involved in work with the Province of B.C.’s Health Leadership.

Shane is a highly respected Musqueam community member, ceremonial traditional speaker and cultural educator and provides protocol and ceremonial guidance for many locally, nationally and internationally cultural events. Shane has worked in various capacities such as: Aboriginal Support Worker (AEEW VSB), Trial Support Coordinator for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Native Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program worker with the Musqueam Indian Band, in the Longhouse Leadership Program at the First Nations House of Learning (University of British Columbia), and most recently providing support to the Aboriginal Mothers Centre

Sulksun’s motto is Nutsamaht! (We are One)

Nikki (Nicole) LaRock is the health lead for Yakweakwioose and FNHDA Board member for Fraser Salish region Nikki (Qwe’to:llmelhet)has served as the health lead for Yakweakwioose since 2015 and was elected to sit on the FNHDA Board of Directors in 2020.

Maternally, Nikki is from Yakweakwioose and lives in the community. Paternally she is from Sts’ailes First Nation, and has three children and three grandsons and many adopted children and grandchildren that she has claimed as her own as she has worked with youth for more than 15 years.

Nikki strongly believes in her culture and cultural ways of healing. Over the past 22 years, culture has helped her overcome many mental health challenges, as she set about to learn everything she could about herself, in order to change the things she did not like and to mold herself into the person she wanted to become. Nikki has always had a passion to do all kinds of artwork which also became one of her healing methods; she teaches others about her own healing journey through a program she developed called Healing Through Art and Culture.

Nikki was brought into her leadership role on Council by her late Grandfather, Hereditary Grand Chief Frank Malloway from Yakweakwioose. Nikki brings to the table her knowledge and lived experience of the negative generational effects that haunt our families, generation after generation. She knew as a child what her purpose was, which is to change the cycles and teach this one generation at a time to help create brighter futures for our families, and uses her own journey to help others. Nikki gives thanks to her Great-Grandfather, the late Richard Malloway, and her late Grandfather Frank Malloway for keeping our culture and history strong and I promise to keep this going for the next seven generations to come.

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.

Bio forthcoming.

Bio forthcoming.

Bio forthcoming.

Image and bio forthcoming.

Charlene Webb is from Fort St. James, BC, lives in Kitsumkalum First Nation Tsimshian Territory. She is Dakelh Ut’soo (grandmother) from the Nak’azdli community and a member of the Lohjabou (Bear) Clan.

Charlene has been working in the health care field since 1995 working from the grassroots up and has been taught by her parents to be a strong advocate for First Nations communities and promote traditional health and wellness. Charlene started working as a Home Maker, Early Childhood Assistant, Family Support Worker, Prenatal Outreach Worker, a guard for the RCMP and then pursued education in social work. Over the years she has taken on training opportunities that support Traditional Wellness such as: Grief and Loss, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, HIV/AIDS Training, Around the Kitchen Table Training, Traditional Parenting Program, First Responder Training and Indigenous Focus Orientations Therapy.

Charlene loves to learn about her culture and bringing cultural teachings into programs. She is honoured to be serving with the FNHDA representing the Northwest. She and her husband have two daughters and one grandson.

Bio forthcoming.

Jessica Frank is a dedicated member of the Líl̓wat community and is passionate about First Nations. Jessica is from the Lil’wat Nation – Stl’atl’imx Nation, which allows her to fully understand the Líl̓wat Culture and promote the deep roots of Ntakmen (‘Our Ways’). Jessica has worked for the Líl̓wat Nation since March 2000 where she served as the Director of the Pqusnalhcw Child Care Center for 12 years. Taking a small break for herself and homelife, Jessica accepted her current position in March 2019 as the Health Director at Líl̓wat Health & Healing Center. Presently she is an active member of the First Nations Health Director Association Board and the Vancouver Coastal Health Regional Table.

As the Director at Líl̓wat Health & Healing, Jessica is known for her forward thinking, kindness, and being a dedicated community advocate. Jessica’s initiatives demonstrate her knowledge & awareness that one approach does not work for all and the need to have a variety of healers, both clinical & traditional, should always be considered. Jessica identifies that as a Nation there is a need to incorporate new and enhanced programs & services to better meet the Health and Wellness needs of the community.

Jessica brings with her a strong professional background, including 14 years of managerial experience. She holds a Diploma in Child & Youth Care, Post Basic Certificate in Early Childhood, Infant & Toddler, and Post Basic Certificate in Special Needs Education. Jessica has received her certificate in Aboriginal Health Community Administration Program and is currently working towards her Health Director Certification and Diploma in Business Administration. Jessica is a strong believer that continuous education will only better impact her colleagues and ultimately her First Nations community.

Bio forthcoming.

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.

Bio forthcoming.

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.

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.