​Qweqwetsin Family & Healing Lodge Society is governed by a diverse Board of Indigenous leaders, Elders, academics, health and social service professionals, community leaders and practitioners. Together, they bring extensive experience in Indigenous wellness, governance, education, healing, community development, research, economic development and land-based practice.

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Dr. Paul Tinari, P.Eng., Ph.D. | Chair

Dr. Paul Tinari is an engineer, researcher and founder of the Pacific Institute for Advanced Study. His interdisciplinary work spans environmental and applied fluid dynamics, alternative energy, architecture, green building and emerging technologies. He brings decades of research, systems thinking, organizational leadership and governance experience to Q Healing.

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Sharnelle Matthew, BSW, MSW, RCC, RSW | Vice-Chair - Simpcw

Sharnelle Matthew is a member of Simpcw First Nation and an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and Human Services at the University of the Fraser Valley. She has worked with Indigenous communities for more than 25 years, with a particular commitment to children, youth, families, counselling and healing from intergenerational trauma. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of British Columbia and is currently completing doctoral studies focused on Indigenous Knowledge.

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Dr. Kathie McKinnon, Ph.D. | Director

Dr. Kathie McKinnon is a therapist, researcher, social worker and educator. She serves as a Faculty Instructor and Practicum Liaison in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University. Her experience in therapeutic practice, research and post-secondary education contributes to Q Healing's work in community wellness, learning and program development.

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Keith Matthew | Director — Simpcw First Nation

Keith Matthew is a former Chief of Simpcw First Nation and an experienced Indigenous business and economic development leader. He is CEO of Seklep Business Services and Chair of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), and has extensive experience in governance, infrastructure, partnerships and Indigenous economic development. Keith brings strong financial, governance and strategic leadership to Q Healing.

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Norm Leech | Director — T’it’q’et, St’at’imc Nation

Norm Leech is Executive Director of Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House and previously led the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre. He is a respected Indigenous community leader and facilitator whose work addresses systemic inequity, intergenerational trauma and healing, restorative approaches, cultural connection and decolonization. Norm brings decades of community leadership and relationship-building experience to the Board.

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Sheila Wardman, RPC-c | Director 

Sheila Wardman is a counsellor and healing practitioner whose work includes community support, nature-based healing and equine-assisted approaches. Her experience working within Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw contributes a strong community-based perspective to Q Healing's work in wellness, cultural connection and land-based healing.

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Kim Sampson | Director — Adams Lake Indian Band

Kim Sampson brings extensive community knowledge and experience working within Adams Lake Indian Band. Her strengths in community services, administration, resource navigation and grassroots engagement help ensure Q Healing's programs remain responsive, accessible and connected to the communities and families we serve.

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Crystal Cox | Director — Neskonlith Indian Band

Crystal Cox brings experience in Indigenous health, community care, early childhood programming and program management, including work with Squamish Nation. Her background contributes important knowledge of health programming, community-based service delivery and the operational systems that support strong Indigenous programs.

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Delbert Sampson | Director — Adams Lake Indian Band

Delbert Sampson brings decades of experience in Indigenous counselling, cultural healing and ceremony, including work within the federal corrections system. His practice has centred Indigenous approaches to mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness and the role of culture and ceremony in healing. He brings deep lived, cultural and professional knowledge to Q Healing's healing and ceremonial work.

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Joanne Brown | Director & Elder / Knowledge Keeper — Cheslatta Carrier Nation

Joanne Brown is a member of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, L’silu clan, and an Elder and Knowledge Keeper connected with Thompson Rivers University. Her career has included Indigenous post-secondary education, federal employment programming and cultural work. Joanne brings extensive experience in education, cultural knowledge, relationship-building and supporting Indigenous learners and communities.

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Karyn Hahn, BA | Director

Karyn Hahn holds a degree in Criminology and is an experienced holistic wellness practitioner with longstanding connections to the Shuswap region. Her background brings together an understanding of human behaviour, community wellness and integrative healing practices, contributing another perspective to Q Healing's holistic approach to wellbeing.

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Linda August, M.Ed. | Elder / Knowledge Keeper | Director — Skwlax

Linda August brings extensive experience in Indigenous education, health, addictions, mental wellness and community program leadership within Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership and has contributed to health programming, education and community development. Linda brings both professional expertise and deep community knowledge to Q Healing.

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Guided by Community, Culture and Relationship

Q Healing's Board reflects the interdisciplinary nature of our work. Governance and professional expertise are brought together with Indigenous community leadership, Elder and Knowledge Keeper guidance, lived experience and relationships to land and culture.

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Together, the Board supports Q Healing's work in Indigenous healing and wellness, Secwépemctsín language revitalization, ceremony, intergenerational family programming, land-based cultural learning, traditional medicines, food sovereignty and stewardship.

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Staff

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Dr. Cheryl Matthew - Chief Executive Officer, Simpcw First Nation

Dr. Matthew has a PhD in Anthropology (Carleton), MA in Sustainability Leadership (Arizona State University), MA Leadership & Training (Royal Roads), BA in Anthropology (SFU). She was the Senior Research, Consultation & Engagement, and Referrals Manager for Skwlax te Secwepemculecw (2020-2024). She has been a Assistant Professor and Lecturer at Western Washington University and Simon Fraser University (2022) as the Lead and Associate Professor of the Sea, Land and Sky Indigenization Intiative with the Faculty of Environment at SFU (2025). She has worked with the public service for over 12 years as the Indigenous Services Canada as the A/Manager of Child & Family Services Jurisdiction, Service Canada as the BC Manager of the Indigenous Skills & Employment Training Program with delegated authority and managed the program in BC upwards of $60 Million annually. She also worked for the National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Justice Institute of BC as the Associate Director, Indigenization in the Office of the Vice President before returning to non-profit work. She has also been the ED of Centre for Native Policy and Research and a Senior Policy Analyst with Indigenous Service Canada in Ottawa from 2007-2012 with the Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians. She is an Energy Worker, Leadership Coach, and certified Reiki Level II practitioner.​

 

Diane Sugars, MBA - Director Strategic Initiatives, Tkemlups Te Secwepemc

Diane has over 35 years experience working with and assisting non-profit organizations with building their financial viability and improving their internal systems for growth. Diane has provided leadership for organizations that operate shelters, transitional housing (Aboriginal Mother Centre, Klahowya, and Chimo), as mentioned, transition housing, permanent housing, and a unique housing model called “Empty House Project”.

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Catherine Billy - Language Assistant, Adams Lake Indian Band

 

also known as Minnie, serves as the Language Assistant for Q Healing, bringing highly specialized expertise in Secwepemctsín pedagogical methods, intergenerational knowledge transmission, and community-scaled land-based immersion to the organization’s frontline initiatives. A certified Secwepemctsin educator, Billy completed a rigorous Indigenous Language Proficiency Certificate program delivered through an institutional partnership between Wuméc r Cqweqwelútn-kt (Wumec Community Society), the Neskonlith Indian Band, and Simon Fraser University (SFU). Her extensive professional background includes serving as an educator at Chief Atahm School and leading land-based language revitalization programs utilizing Total Physical Response (TPR) methodologies. At Q Healing, Billy translates ancestral linguistic frameworks and traditional cultural knowledge into operational wellness practices, providing institutional funders with a rare blend of verified academic credentialing and authentic, grassroots community impact.

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Geri Matthew, BA | Elder & Cultural and Healing Advisor, Simpcw First Nation

Geri Matthew is an Elder from Simpcw First Nation and a certified Secwépemctsín language instructor. She served for many years as Director of Health for Simpcw First Nation and brings decades of experience in community health, language, culture and healing. Geri provides Elder guidance to Q Healing and supports Secwépemctsín language learning, cultural teachings and intergenerational programming.

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Oliver Arnouse | Elder & Cultural and Healing Advisor, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw

Oliver Arnouse is an Elder and former Kukpi7 of Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw (formerly Little Shuswap Lake Band). He spent his career serving First Nations people as a Licensed Practical Nurse and counsellor. Oliver brings extensive experience in community leadership, health, counselling, culture and ceremony and provides Elder guidance to Q Healing's healing and land-based cultural programming.