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Staff
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres' staff can all be contacted from Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm PST.
Please feel free to click on the corresponding name to email the individual.
Phone: 1-250-388-5522 Fax: 1-250-388-5502
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Executive Director
Paul has been the Executive Director of the BCAAFC for the past 13 years. He is a member of the Cariboo Clan and a citizen of the Carrier Nation in north central British Columbia. His education was completed at the University of Victoria in the area of Political Science and in the study of the administration of Aboriginal Governments. He is a certified facilitator and specializes in organizational development and success planning.
Paul and his partner Asma have 4 daughters and one son and his home in Victoria is commonly referred to as “the House of Happiness”.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it General Manager
Carl joined the BC Association in May of 2001, as the Provincial Coordinator of the Raven Youth Tech Program and he now serves as the General Manager of Operations. He has a Diploma in Petroleum Geology, a BSc. in Natural Resource Science and most recently he completed a Business Management Diploma at the University of Victoria. Carl was previously employed as the GIS / IT Manager for the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. He also spent 10 years working as an engineer/supervisor for an American oil service company in Texas, Nova Scotia, Norway, Holland and Scotland. Carl is a Saddle Lake (Cree) band member and enjoys spending time outdoors with his three children, Danielle, Mason and Hannah. His principal passion is sailing but he enjoys traveling, running, biking, hiking, dancing and traditional ceremony.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Executive Assistant
Jeannette started with the Association in May of 2009 working as the Executive Assistant. Jeannette is of Cree and Scottish descent. She grew up in central Alberta where she excelled in horse shows and competition jumping.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it BCAAFC Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program Coordinator
Lisa is proud of her Mikisew Cree and French heritage. In October 1999, she began working for the BCAAFC and has managed the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program (AFCP) and the First Citizens Fund initiatives for seven years. Lisa’s role is to provide direct technical support with the guidance of a 9 person peer advisory committee to the 24 local Centres - in areas of organizational development, human resources and governance. She balances work and family with volunteering as a way to give back to the community. Lisa is one of the founders and current Vice-President of the Nihiyaw Language and Culture Society, to preserve her heritage and become a role model for her three daughters. She is very active in the Aboriginal community such as developing a First Nations and Metis Program curriculum for the Conseil Scolaire Francophone of BC. In addition, Lisa is was recently nominated to the Board of Directors of Volunteer BC.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Team Leader: Partnerships and Business Development
Warren joined the BCAAFC in the summer of 2004 and quickly fit into the organization as a valued team member. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria, majoring in History. Warren began his work at the Association as the Executive Assistant and moved to the Health Policy Analyst position in 2006. He is an avid hockey player and enjoys activities with family and friends.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Contract Manager
Tanya first joined the office as a summer student in 2005, and now works full time as the Youth Initiatives Director. She previously worked in Ottawa with the National Association of Friendship Centres as a Program Officer and she continues to study Creative Writing part time at the University of Victoria.
Her best friend Maggie wagged her way into the hearts of the BCAAFC staff and has taken up residency as our mascot and guard dog.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Gaming Grant Support
Diane joined the BCAAFC in the fall of 2006. She is a member of the Tsimshian Nation and was born and raised in Prince Rupert BC. She attended Malaspina University College for two years before taking time off to raise her young family. She lives in Victoria with her husband and two wonderful sons.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Gaming Grant Support Officer
Ron was born and raised in Duncan and is a member of Cowichan Tribes. He started with the BCAAFC in May 1998. His background in hospitality and event planning has served the association well. In 2007 Ron took a 19 month leave of absence to manage Cultural Events & Ceremonies for the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. He has also gained prominence within the Aboriginal Friendship Centres movement working to support a number of Friendship Centres in transition throughout BC and in Quebec. Ron has been the President of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre since 2003.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it CCAY Provincial Coordinator
Naomi joined the Association in September 2007, and dove head first into the planning processes for the regionalization and transformation of Aboriginal Child and Family Services in BC. She completed her Bachelor’s of Social Work at UVic in the spring of 2007, where she focused her studies on social policy. Naomi is a visitor to Coast Salish territory; her family is from Aotearoa and Scotland. She is the proud Mother of a vibrant little girl named Grace.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Provincial Advisor: Aboriginal Infant Development Programs
Diana is a Coast Salish Cowichan Tribes member with equal roots in the Nuu Chalth Nuth Tribal Territory. Diana has accumulated over 18 years experience in the field of Early Childhood Development and working with Aboriginal children and families.
Diana is the mother of two sons and truly understands and appreciates the importance of learning in the early years of life and the benefits of family and parenting support, including extended family members. She appreciates the cultural teachings of her Elders and incorporates these into her daily work from a family centred program philosophy. For more information on Aboriginal Infant Development Programs of B.C., go to www.aidp.bc.ca .
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Literacy Coordinator
Kathryn joined the team in the position of Provincial Coordinator of the Aboriginal Family Literacy initiative in July 2008. As of April 2009 Kathryn worked in the AFCP and FCF programs and is currently working on the Embedded Literacy project. She is from the Carrier Nation in northern BC. Kathryn has a Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature, as well as a Bachelor of Education. Kathryn enjoys spending time with family and has a passion for national and international travel.
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ECD Coordinator
Rosy joined the Association in January of 2008 as Team Support Assistant. She is now the Youth Conference Coordinator for Gathering Our Voices 2009. She is of Cree decent from Saddle Lake First Nation, and was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, in BC. In May of 2007 she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in Canadian Studies from Mt. Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. In the future she hopes to pursue a Masters degree in International Relations. Rosy enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, hiking, and swimming, and has a passion for travel.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Policy team support
Lindsey is from the Killerwhale Clan of the Tsimshian Nation. She was born and raised in the Prince Rupert area, in Northern BC. Lindsey attended Camosun College taking General Arts and Science courses before taking time out of school to work full time at the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert. There she was able to combine her passion for learning, teaching and sharing her cultural roots. She recently moved to Victoria and began working with the Association in February of 2008.
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Alisa joined the BC Association team in November 2007. She has more than 25 years experience as a self-employed accountant in both the non-profit and profit sectors. Leisure time will usually find her enjoying the coastal waters on her classic wooden trawler.
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Director of Child and Family Services
Carla was excited and honoured to join the Partnerships and Business Development team of the Association in 08/08/08. Her heart and her efforts are focussed on bringing spirit, as well as family & community self-determination into Aboriginal healing & support processes. She has been working in child and family policy and Aboriginal health for over 15 years from within government and now within the BCAAFC. Carla adores her life partner, her role as step-mom to 3 amazing children, and being a mom to her hound dog Cooper. In her undergrad, Carla studied Science and Psychology. She has also completed her Master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus in Dispute Resolution.
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Student Bursary, Elders, and Youth Coordinator
Jamin is of Namgis First Nation and Ukrainian descent. He is very grateful for having a family that has taught him knowledge around understanding personal and cultural identity, acceptance, preservation and perseverance. He now channels that support and experience closely with BC Community Elders and Youth in creating new and maintaining existing Friendship Centre initiatives. He enjoys spending time with his friends, family, snowboarding on the ski hill, and kicking around on the soccer pitch.
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Environmental Coordinator
Shane Hartman is a member of the Beaver Clan from the Dakelh First Nations. He completed his undergraduate degree at Malaspina University College in tourism management. Currently, he is putting the finishing touches on his Masters Degree at the University of Northern British Columbia in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Program. For this graduate work he looked at ecotourism development with a remote First Nation’s community and the benefits and impacts associated with tourism development. An avid golfer and downhill skier, Shane also enjoys getting outdoors as much as possible. He is the newest member of the BCAAFC team, and is looking forward to helping the BCAAFC establish and implement its environmental strategy.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Provincial Coordinator, Aboriginal Supported Child Development
Cindy Jamieson is from the Iroquois confederacy but has been in BC for 23 years. Her family participated in the development of some of the first Friendship Centres in Ontario and New York State, in addition to the start of Indian Way schools and other cultural reclamation activities. She has an MSW degree from UVIC and extensive experience in various child and family programs in Aboriginal and mainstream settings in government, on-reserve, urban non-profit, and post-secondary settings. Her passion is promoting service quality, access to services and innovative service delivery. She recently developed the Youthspace on-line helping portal (www.youthspace.ca) in collaboration with the NEED Information and Crisis Line, to enhance services to youth across the Capital Regional District, and also previously developed the first fully licensed urban Aboriginal childcare centre in Victoria at the VNFC. She is currently serving as the Provincial Coordinator for Aboriginal Supported Child Development Programs in BC.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Regional Engagement Coordinator - (ASRPA) Partners Council
Joe has a life-long connection to sport and recreation. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria, where he earned a Co-op degree in Recreation and Health Education. Joe recently completed the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program where he worked in the Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Branch of the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport. His summer placement with was with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre coordinating summer programs for kids age 6-12. Joe is proud of his Cowichan Heritage through his father’s side of the family.
Joe started with BCAAFC in September 2010 as Regional Engagement Coordinator for the Partners Council. More information on ASRPA Partners Council can be found at: http://www.bcaafc.com/initiatives/asrpa-partners-council
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, Policy Analyst 
Amy joined the policy team at the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres in November 2009, as a project manager and policy analyst in Child and Family Initiatives. She has degrees in Social Work and Child and Youth Care, and a Masters of Social Work from McGill University in Montréal, Québec. Amy has worked for over 10 years as a frontline community social service worker mainly within Aboriginal communities, and more recently as a counsellor in inner-city Montréal, and policy analyst in the community social services sector. Amy is a 2nd generation Canadian, with Jewish, Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English ancestry. She enjoys spending time with her partner and family, playing music, and being outdoors.
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, Youth Conference Coordinator 
Della is Tseshaht First Nations from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth peoples. She was born and raised in Victoria. She has a certificate in Recreation Leadership and a Diploma in First Nations Community Studies from Camosun College. She is also four courses away from completing a BA in Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria. Della has volunteered on the board of directors of Surrounded By Cedar Child and Family Services, BC Association of Friendship Centers and National Association of Friendship Centers. She is currently volunteering on the board of directors of Victoria Native Friendship Centre and Caring for First Nations Children Society. As a young Aboriginal woman she enjoys being active and she is learning her language.
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, Information Technology 
Richard signed on with the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres in the summer of '10, working on a three month contract to build and configure a Sharepoint portal. Eighteen months and hundreds of projects later Richard has joined the team as a full-time tier 2 IT specialist. He provides support and technology solutions for 30+ staffers and reinforces/upgrades the BCAAFC's technological infrastructure.
Richard earned his first degree, a bachelor's of computer engineering/management, at McGill University in 2006. His second bachelor's fell under the umbrella of education, with a focus on middle years, which he completed at the University of Victoria in late 2011. Richard's passions lie in personal growth, critical thinking, and social psychology. You'll often find him debating issues of social justice and/or contemplating the most efficient means of resolving global conflict. Tending to err on the side of collaboration over competition, Richard is a devoted team member and enthusiastic contributor to virtually any project that passes by his desk. He enjoys challenge, both professional and personal, and lives in a world of organized chaos.
Richard is married and his partner, Jessica Abrami, shares most of his passions for thinking and playing.
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, AECD Administrative Assistant
Kerri Low is of Metis ancestry- with Metis and Scottish on her father’s side, and English and Czech on her mother’s. She has lived in Victoria for the past three years working at various Federal Government departments. She is now the administrative assistant for the First Nations and Urban Aboriginal Childhood Development Reinvestment Initiative and couldn’t be happier.
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, Youth Conference Administration Assistant 
Trevor recently graduated from Camosun College with a diploma in Indigenous Studies and has been hired on as an Administration Assistant for the Gathering Our Voices 2012 youth conference. Trevor grew up in Kitimat, BC and has English, Chinese and Secwepemc ancestry. He credits his experience at Camosun College with helping him reconnect to his Aboriginal identity and inspiring him to build community with like-minded Aboriginal peoples.
Trevor is honoured to have been able to live on Coast Salish territory for the past 8 years and enjoys riding his motorcycle year-round thanks to the mild climate offered in the southern part of the island. He also recently completed the West Coast Trail in the summer of 2011 and counts it as one of his most memorable experiences.
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, Project Officer
I joined the BC Association in August, 2011.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and moved to Victoria in 1996 with my husband and 2 children.
My Father was English and my Mother is Mohawk.
I graduated with my Business Management Studies at Seneca College in Toronto and am currently working as the Project Officer with the First Nations and Urban Aboriginal Early Childhood Reinvestment Initiative.
I love spending time with my family; I also enjoy camping and always look forward to our summers here on the West Coast.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Finance Assisttant
Ivy is a new addition to the BCAAFC, joining in the fall of 2011, as the Accountant’s Assistant. She is of Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw, Coast Salish, Tsimshian and Nuu-chah-nulth descent. Ivy is honoured to have spent her lifetime living on the lands of the Lekwungen and Esquimalt people.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Project Officer
Julie is a new addition to the BCAAFC, joining in the fall of 2011. She is working as the Project Officer of the Aboriginal Infant & Supported Child Development Provincial Office with Cindy Jamieson & Diana Elliott, she is also working as support to the Program Services team of the Association.
