We use cookies on this site to enhance your online experience. By continuing to use this site, you agree to accept cookies.
Wayne is a proud Ojibway from Wikwemikong in Ontario. A single father of two sons and one daughter, Wayne has dedicated his life and activities to the social and cultural development of youth. He is also a strong advocate of First Nation language as a tool for cultural memory and learning.
His current passions, which are shared with his children, include the Y We Dream Foundation and the Indian Joe and DahBroz brands. Dahbroz was recognized as Emerging Entrepreneurs at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Hawaii. Wayne has over 30 years experience as a successful entrepreneur and in senior management. He has spoken at many conferences and events on business development, entrepreneurship and community development.
Wayne has been involved in a variety of activities in the private sector. He was co-owner of a manufacturing plant which produced a line of sportswear and skiwear under the David S Reid brand, co-owner of the Manitoulin Trading Post; a full-service PetroCanada gas bar and convenience store, Two Rivers Technologies; a software development company, Two Rivers Computers, Indian Joe Design; a multi-media and animation company, and The Muskoka Group business incubation and franchise development group.
Wayne also successfully assisted four First Nation communities in the development of computer assembly businesses. He is also a former Band Economic Development Officer; National Facilitator Aboriginal Employment Services Network, where he was responsible for the first national online electronic job and resume bank.
Wayne has also served his community through volunteer work. This includes three terms as president of the Longlac Chamber of Commerce, coaching and mentoring with hockey and lacrosse associations in Ontario and British Columbia, instructor for a number of hockey programs for youth, and committee member to the Software Human Resource Council.
Whitney has an entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a strong business acumen, while being passionate about analyzing information and knowledge as it relates to opportunity.
The business platform is changing as it relates to Aboriginal inclusion and therefore as the Business Development Officer of the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) Whitney ensures maximum benefit is achieved within this shifting platform. A proven performer who moves easily from vision and strategy to implementation and follow-through; practical, creative, and results focused. Whitney appreciates and understands the diversity of people and values the importance of a human centered environment as it directly compliments opportunity and personal growth.
Marcy is a member of the Nłeʔképmx Nation from the Lower Nicola Indian Band. Her parents are Lee McLeod (Aspen Grove) and the Late Phyllis Edwards (LNIB). Besides her Mom, Marcy recognizes her strongest influencers and role models in her life to be her Great Grandmother, the Late Elizabeth Edwards (LNIB), and her Great Grandmother, the Late Delores McLeod (Aspen Grove).
In 2007, Marcy started working for her community (LNIB) where she gained experience in both the Administration Department as well as the Finance Department, she worked for LNIB for 12 years. Marcy took the opportunity to leave her position at LNIB in December 2019 to begin working for Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly as a way to broaden and strengthen her work experience.
Marcy is also currently working on obtaining her Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager’s designation through AFOA Canada.
She enjoys many hobbies, some of them include reading, drawing, painting, beading, and wire wrapping. Marcy is always looking for new and fun things to learn when it comes to being creative with crafts and art.
As the Executive Assistant, Marcy aims to expand on her knowledge and skills set while providing friendly and courteous services to the eight participating CNA Bands and the community in general.
Nicole is from Merritt. Her husband and five children are part of Lytton First Nation. Nicole provides great support to the Employment and Training Program, the CNA, the development and management of the annual planning process, as well as being a great asset in community development processes and referrals for employment.
Nicole's dedication to community development and engagement helps create positive change and impact within the eight CNA communities and related organizations. She especially enjoys engaging in high level team collaboration, demonstrating task reliability, communicating constructively and motivating and supporting team direction.
Her goal is to provide an innovative approach in engaging and expanding overall program development and direction. Part of Nicole's vision is developing advanced networking proficiency and creating effective working relationships and partnerships with service providers and organizations throughout British Columbia. NicoIe cherishes the nłeʔképmx territory, and strives to create a strong and successful environment for her children and their children’s children.
Aliyah is a proud Shackan Band member and grew up on reserve before moving to Kelowna to attend the University of British Columbia. She graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Following graduation, Aliyah moved to Australia where she worked and traveled for 14 months.
Being a member of the Shackan Band and Nłeʔképmx Nation presents Aliyah with invaluable opportunities to return her skills to the communities, allowing her to blend science-based education with traditional nłeʔkepmx knowledge.
Robin is a member of the Nłeʔképmx Nation from the Lower Nicola Indian Band, she is a mother of two boys Carlos and Alexander. Her parents are Hyrum and Gail Peterson, and her great grandparents are John and Josephine Shuter.
Growing up in the community on a working ranch fostered a love of the land and culture. Throughout her youth she assisted her family on the farm tending to cattle through feeding, branding, herding, and auctioning as well as field irrigation. She also assisted her Grandmother with tanning hides.
This strong work ethic taught by her family has served to create someone who believes in doing a job well done from the onset. Over the past 16 years Robin has held many positions that have continued to expand her knowledge and skills. A big focus within the last five years specifically have been centered around communication. Robin helped streamline communication within the LNIB in order to achieve a higher level of awareness and connection to all the services the Band has to offer. Working for Teck HVC as an intern has helped form a more comprehensive understanding of impact within our territory.
Robin's goals serving in the capacity of the Communications Coordinator is to streamline the circulation of prevalent and crucial information to keep our interested communities up to date. Robin appreciates community input in streamlining this process and welcomes any and all feedback.
Kristy is from the Lusilyoo Clan from Tl’azt’en Nation and Nak’azdli Nation. Her parents are Rita Henkes and the late Larry Henkes. Her grandparents are Mildred Martin and the late Frank Martin (Sterritt), Aggie Prince, and the late John and Vera Henkes. She is married to Lennard Joe from the Shackan Indian Band of the Nłeʔképmx Nation. They have five children.
Kristy’s background is administration on Band, Nation and Provincial levels with experience in communications, events, training and program development with the First Nations Emergency Services of British Columbia; working with the Union of BC Municipalities and the Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations on Forest Fuel Management and FireSmart Programs. She has also worked with the Okanagan Nation, organizing events and conferences in conjunction with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations.
As Programs Manager, Kristy is responsible for the development and delivery of community based projects and programming that integrates traditional sports, health and capacity building, and balances the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of culture. This includes programs at the community and Nation level for our youth, Elders and community members.
The Programs Manager also ensures CNA programs reflect all stakeholders including children, youth, adults and elders, as well as liaising within communities. The Programs Manager also implements, monitors, evaluates, and reports on programming in accordance with identified annual plans, work plans and overall organizational priorities.
Corrina is a member of the Coldwater Indian Band. Her maternal grandparents are the late Marlene Clarke and Lloyd Spahan. Her paternal grandparents are Gloria Skinner (nee Dennis) and the late Robert Manuel. Her parents are Dorothy Spahan and the late Roland Manuel.
Cultural practices have been a part of Corrina’s life from the beginning, traveling the powwow trail with her parents and their drum group. She grew up learning traditional practices from her family and community.
She learned nłeʔképmxcín in middle school as well as the importance of keeping traditions alive. Corrina continued with nłeʔképmxcín classes through to graduation. Traditional teachings play a huge role in Corrina’s life as she passes on what she knows to her four children. They are continually learning as a family and love to share their knowledge with others.
Her goal is to bring various traditional teachings throughout the Nicola Valley and Fraser Canyon to ensure culture will be passed on generation to generation. As the Cultural Programs Coordinator, Corrina is responsible for the development and delivery of cultural community based projects and programming which integrates capacity building. This includes ensuring various relationships are established and maintained, liaising within the communities. Promoting programs such as culture nights, gatherings and traditional teachings is the beginning of cultural revitalization within the Nłeʔképmxcín nation.
William believes in sharing spaces to learn and thrive as a team to ensure program delivery is successful in the communities. He is a member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band and is from the Nłeʔképmx and Secwépemc nations. His parents are Carole Basil (Nłeʔképmx) and the late George Sandy (Secwépemc).
William recently completed his Bachelor of Social Work at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT). During his time as a student at NVIT he was actively involved in the campus community as a student representative on the Board of Governors, Strategic Enrollment Management Committee, Social Work Faculty Committee, and Ambassador program as well as international engagement as a volunteer/intern in Tanzania, India, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil and the United Nations Head Quarters.
He has worked with several organizations in the nłeʔképmx territory to plan, coordinate and promote community development and engagement. William is dedicated to promoting health and well-being in his professional and personal life.
Corey is a Coldwater Band member, the son of Florence Lamirande and grandson of the late Louisa “Sheena” Lamirande and Denis Lamirande. Born in Winnipeg, where he spent nine years of his young life, Corey moved to Merritt where he graduated from Merritt Secondary School in 2004.
He also lived in Vancouver for a year studying at Vancouver Film School, where he received a diploma in Film Production in 2017. Corey is a proud to be a Nłeʔképmx First Nations person. He also has Okanogan and Metis ancestry.
Kelli is a member of the Coldwater Indian Band and is of Carrier, Sto:lo, and Nłeʔképmx ancestry. Her parents are Shelley Oppenheim-Lacerte nłeʔképmx from Coldwater Indian Band and Victor Lacerte Carrier originally from Nak’azdli Band, Fort St. James, however, he is currently a Coldwater Indian Band member.
Her grandparents are Mildred Mussell-Oppenheim and Wilfred Oppenheim on her mothers’ side and her grandparents are Eileen Prince-Lacerte and Victor Lacerte on her fathers’ side.
Kelli is working on completing her Bachelors of Education (B.Ed.) program and has worked with School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) for two years as a part-time nłeʔképmxcín teacher at the Elementary schools. Kelli is a passionate language learner and is eager to learn and grow with nłeʔképmxcín.
Lena is from the Cooks Ferry Band, her grandparents were Frank Walkem and Gertie Toodlican, her parents are Carol Walkem and Monty Nicholson. She attended fine art schools in northern Ontario and Santa Fe, New Mexico studying photography and print-making.
In 2005 Lena attended the FNESC Maori Language Tour and the World Indigenous People’s Conference on Education in New Zealand. Lena has a strong interest in nłeʔképmx culture and language preservation.
She has worked with Cooks Ferry Band as a Cultural Assistant, and assisted with the Unity Gathering in 2011. She has also worked with Tmixʷ Research and Esh-kn-am on research projects and archaeology field work. Lena was a tour guide and landscape assistant at Tuckkwiowhum Village for Boston Bar Band. She is an aspiring language learner and her task is adding graphics and photos to the CNA Language Program, as well as assisting with recording language speakers and building lesson plans.