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Sheila Wardman

A Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC-c),  Clinical Hypnotherapist, BET Emotional Release Practitioner and NLP Practitioner.  She is a Community Support Worker with Skwlax (Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band). In addition, she is an Equine Assisted Therapist and Nature-Based Healing program manager.

 

Karyn Hahn

BA Criminology. Long time resident of Shuswap area and healing practitioner. Connected to the healing network of Dr. Samuel Lee.

 

Sharnelle Matthew

Over 20 years in the counselling area, MSW (UBC) and clinical counsellor from the Simpcw First Nation. Has provided support for CFS Jurisdiciton for Simpcw for the last four years, doctoral candidate from UBC.

 

Dr. Paul Tinari, PhD

An Engineer and founder, Paul (Six Nations) of the Pacific Institute for Advanced Study specializing in alternate energy, architecture, art, archaeology, fluid dynamics, green buildings and JOOM: 3D printing and support technologies for buildings.

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Kathie McKinnon, PhD

A therapist, researcher, social worker, and educator.  Kathie is an Associate Professor and practicum liaison in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia.

 

Norm Leech

Executive Director at Frog Hollow and previously of the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre. Norm (T’it’q’et, St’at’imc Nation) is a leader and facilitator who inspires thought-provoking conversations through stories and dialogue on topics such as existing systemic inequities, intergenerational trauma and healing, cultural commonalities and connection.

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Staff

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Dr. Cheryl Matthew - Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Matthew has a PhD in Anthropology (Carleton), MA Leadership & Training (Royal Roads), BA in Anthropology (SFU) and is completing her final year for a Master in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. She has been a Assistant Professor and Lecturer at Western Washington University and Simon Fraser University. 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.

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Diane Sugars, MBA - Director Strategic Initiatives

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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Geri Matthew, BA - Elder and Cultural and Healing Advisor

Geri an an Elder from Simpcw First Nation, Secwepemcstin certified language instructor, and was the Director of Health for many year at Simpcw First Nation.

 

 

Oliver Arnouse - Elder and Cultural and Healing Advisor

Oliver is an Elder, the former Kukpi7 of Little Shuswap Lake Band and spent his career as an LPN and Counsellor for First Nations people.