SASAMANS SOCIETY - Key Persons
Amanda was raised on a small farm on Quadra Island. She is of Austrian, Scottish, and English descent. Amanda's early career started off at alternative schools on both Quadra and Cortes Islands. This unique opportunity to teach in a very out of the box setting has been key in her creative ability to work with youth who do not fit into government systems.
In 2015 Amanda's sense of adventure and love for organic farming moved her and her family to the small town of Opotiki in New Zealand. Opotiki is a predominantly a Māori and Pacifica people's community of the west coast of the North Island. Amanda and her children enjoyed being immersed in the rich culture of Aotearoa, she began volunteering with local youth groups and primary schools. As her connections in the community grew, she found herself helping facilitate cultural events for hundreds of youths and leaders in the area. Amanda then began working as a Youth Mentor for an Indigenous non profit, helping to give youth a voice and supporting them to achieve their goals and ambitions.
Her training and experience working for and with Indigenous peoples is pathway that has led Amanda to this role today. She is looking forward to getting to know the Indigenous Youth here in Canada and to learn from and with them.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Debbie was born and raised in Campbell River and is married with two grown children and two granddaughters. Debbie went back to college in 2019 and completed the Community Support Worker/Mental Health Worker certificate in 2020. Debbie enjoys spending time camping, fishing, reading, gardening, and walking her two Golden Retrievers Jasper and Walter.
Debbie joined the Sasaman's team in June 2023 as the Indigenous Youth Navigator and is looking forward to working with the youth.
Jane Watts-Ellens is from Port Alberni, and is a member of the Ahousaht First Nation, and has ties to the Cowichan Tribe from through her biological mother, Barbara Little (nee Dick/Daniels/Alphonse). Jane has a twin brother and was raised by her grandparents in Port Alberni, and lived on the Tseshaht Reserve. Jane also has 4 older siblings from her mother's first marriage to Harold Little Jr. Jane's great grandfather on her maternal side is also from Hupacasath First Nation in Port Alberni. Her father was late Charlie Watts Jr. (Chas) from Tseshaht First Nation.
Jane has been a part of the Sasamans team since July 2015, and is very passionate, understanding and supportive to families who access services through Sasamans Society.
Jane has adapted to living on the North end of the island and loves it in Port Hardy. Jane has 7.5 years' experience working with First Nations families from her previous job as an Aboriginal Liaison for low income housing. Jane completed the Family Support Worker program at Camosun College and has completed 2.5 years of university transfer courses towards her Social Work degree. In addition to her role as the Aboriginal Outreach Family Navigator, Jane has commenced completing her certificate for the Social Work program via Thompson Rivers University.
Jane has first-hand experience with the child welfare system as she grew up in care from 16 months old until she aged out at 19 years of age. She is both passionate and supportive in advocating for families who have children in care, and is eager to see the transition of children going back home. Jane loves sports (hockey, football, and baseball), playing golf & slow pitch, poker and traveling. Jane also loves to cook, and eat healthy. In a nutshell, Jane is an outgoing, fun loving and caring person who has overcome some huge family loss.
Jazmine (Wedtlala'ogwa) was born and raised in Victoria, however, is from the Kwakwaka'wakw Nations Ma'amtagila, Namgis (from her father Chief Makwala, Rande Cook) & (from her mother Jodi McCrimmon) Musgamakw Dzawada'enuxw & Da'nada'xw. Jazmine's partner is from Wei Wai Kai First Nation, which is why they decided to make the transition with their young daughter from Victoria to Campbell River.
Jazmine has a strong passion for supporting Indigenous communities and families. Her passion stems from her cultural teachings, lived experiences and positive role models. Prior to working at Sasamans Jazmine received her diploma in Community, Family & Child studies at Camosun. Then worked at the Victoria Native Friendship Center as an Aboriginal Supported Child Development Consultant (ASCD). In June 2022 Jazmine received her Bachelor of Child and Youth care with Indigenous specialization. Since Jazmine worked and completed her bachelor's while pregnant and then with a young child, Jazmine took a break post-degree to spend time with her daughter. Then, began her work at Sasamans in November 2022.
Jazmine seeks to provide support, amplify families' voices, guide them along their journeys. She upholds others right to self-determination and believes in incorporating Indigenous knowledges into practice. Jazmine is excited to work, learn and grow with families in Campbell River and gain new connections as Jazmine has ancestral ties to Campbell River through her great grandmother who comes from the Wei Wai Kai and We Wai Kum First Nations.
Job Titles:
- Representative for "Walking With Our Sisters
Kia (U'ma) Everson was born and raised on the K'omoks First Nation reserve; surrounded by family, elders, knowledge keepers and traditional teachings. Her ancestry is K'omoks, Kwakiutl, Tlingit and Norwegian on her fathers' side (Chief Nagedzi Robert Everson) and Dutch and Russian on her mothers' side (Ke'nakwalas Lee Everson). Not only does Kia have an education regarding her Indigeneity, but also a formal education as Kia graduated in March 2020 with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree with Distinction.
Kia has been a youth representative for "Walking with Our Sisters", an art installation honouring the thousands of murdered or missing Indigenous women and children across BC and Canada. She has been a speaker for "Gathering Voices" which is an annual event held in the bighouse in K'omoks for Indigenous female identified students from the local high-schools to witness speakers tell stories and teachings regarding Indigenous women's collective and individual power, history, pride, mental/emotional/physical and spiritual health and wellbeing.
Kia has been a tour guide for The Comox Valley Art Gallery's installation of Potlatch 67-67 which displayed Indigenous artists creative take on the potlatch ban. Kia also has experience working with women in early addictions recovery at Amethyst House and with women and their children fleeing abuse at Lilly House.
Before being hired as the Aboriginal Youth & Family Navigator for Sasamans Society, Kia was a Residence Worker for Youth Horizons where her clients were primarily Indigenous teenage girls referred through MCFD. When Kia isn't working for Sasamans Society she dances regularly with the Kumugwe Cultural Society.
Kia's personal and professional experiences have created a work style that incorporates an anti-oppressive, strengths-based, feminist and a wholistic approach. Her purpose in this lifetime is to uplift, support, advocate and walk alongside fellow Indigenous peoples; to see our people succeed and thrive.
My name is Lavina Boyd. I have six children between the ages of 11-27, two boys and four girls, and one grand daughter who is 5 years old. We originate from very large families, are members of the Dene Indigenous group, in central British Columbia, and are registered with the Ulkatcho First Nations band, in Anahim Lake, BC. The Ulkatcho First Nation group is one of four groups that make up the Dakelh or Southern Carrier First Nation in central British Columbia. The other three communities are Lhoosk'us Dene, Nazko, and Lhtako Dene. My grand daughter is a member of Tk'emlups te Secwepemc and is part of the Interior-Salish Secwepemc speaking people located in Tk'emlups (Kamloops), BC.
I was born in Quesnel, British Columbia and raised in a small community west of Quesnel called Nazko. I enjoy beading, making moccasins, loom beading, hiking, travelling, camping, fishing, hunting, networking, resource harvesting, whale watching and I would love to learn how to can (especially fruit & salmon), rock climb, sing & drum local First Nations songs & learn my Carrier First Nations language!
I graduated from Thompsons Rivers University, located in Kamloops, in 2010 with a Bachelor of Education degree and plan to return to university until I obtain a Doctorate in Education.
Through my life experience, education and professional journey I have a clear understanding of how the residential schools had a profound negative impact on our Indigenous populations across Canada and North America. My specialized interest through my education and profession is learning about, researching, and working with Indigenous parents and children across Canada.
I am excited and grateful for an opportunity to be working with families in Campbell River and area at Sasamans Society, with a dual role position, as the Indigenous Parenting Support Worker and the Indigenous Caregiver Support Worker roles. I am looking forward to meeting families and working with parents and caregivers to offer support and knowledge with our most mysterious yet most fulfilling and rewarding roles as parents and caregivers.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director / Campbell River
I am a member of the ‘Namgis First Nation with ancestral ties to the Lawit'sis nation through my father and my grandfather as well as the Dzawada'enuxw and Kwikwasutinux nations through my biological mother. My cultural lineages also include Irish and Jewish through my mother and Swedish through my biological father.
I was born in Vancouver in 1971, and shortly after my birth I was placed into foster care where I remained until I was adopted when I was 4 years old and moved to Alert Bay. In my early adolescence my family moved to Vancouver where I lived until I was 27. Since then I have lived & worked in many places. I am currently living in Campbell River with my husband.
I graduated from the University of Victoria in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, specializing in First Nations Child Welfare. Through my personal and professional experience I have truly come to understand the devastating impact that colonial child welfare policies and practice have on Indigenous children, families and communities across Canada.
Marisa was born and raised in Ontario and earned her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2007. As a first generation Canadian of Caribbean and East African descent, Marisa grew up observing the impacts of colonialism on her own family's culture and developed an interest in the healing of Indigenous people around the world. Her desire to work with First Nation communities was sparked after spending several months with a Cree family in northern Manitoba and witnessing first-hand the legacy of colonialism in Canada. Since then, she has spent years supporting clients in Youth Care and as a Family Support Worker in Alberta before relocating to Campbell River.
Marisa is the proud mother of an inquisitive daughter, who is of Nakoda Sioux ancestry through her father. Committed to nurturing both sides of her daughter's cultural identity, Marisa spent time exploring programs for First Nations kids in Alberta and she is now excited to learn more about the cultures of Vancouver Island. She is honoured to join the Sasamans Society team as an Indigenous Parenting Support Worker, developing new relationships in the community while helping to build on client strengths and preserve family unity.
Monica was born and raised in Campbell River. She has family connections in the Kitasoo, Lax Kw'alaams, and Squamish Nations. Growing up and being a permanent ward of the ministry came with its own challenges. She has fought to keep the teachings of her elders alive. She is honoured to be a mother and will continue to carry on traditions as much as possible.
Monica married into the Glendale family of Da'naxda'xw Nation in 2019. With her husband, they are so very grateful to love, guide, and walk beside 5 remarkable daughters and 1 granddaughter.
Her desire and passion for supporting younger folks that come from difficult family background came clear during college. Monica graduated with her Community Support Worker Diploma in 2016.
Gaining connections at John Howard Society and the creation of Foundry, Monica has had the opportunity to go to various trainings to expand her knowledge to move further into her career of choice. Monica's passion largely comes from the lessons she has learned growing up in care and aging out. Youth need someone they can connect with that's not a social worker. Not everyone has an older sibling, aunt or uncle they can go to for support.
Outside of work she loves puzzles, art, going on adventures, being a mom, cheese, and purple. You will find Monica quite quiet but she strongly believes that living life through healthy, open, productive communication is one of the most important aspects of life. Live your life through being kind and compassionate.
She is a wealth of information and has many many networks in the community. Monica loves this journey of working with indigenous people and continue making connections in her home town. She is very excitedly walking this path while building a supportive network for the young people within and around our home.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Niki was born and raised in Campbell River and is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation. She has been married for 14 years and is a busy mother of two very active boys. Niki and her husband spent some time living in Delta, BC but soon moved back to the island to put down roots in the Comox Valley when their boys were born. They lived in the Comox Valley for six years before making Grande Prairie Alberta their home for the next seven. Niki and her family have recently moved back home to Campbell River where they built a home on the Quinsam Reserve. They are enjoying everything beautiful Vancouver Island has to offer especially being close to family and friends.
Niki started with Sasamans Society August 2015 and is enjoying being a part of their team, as well as learning about and assisting with organizations and programs available to help aboriginal children and families.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Rachel was raised in Campbell River, British Columbia and graduated from Carihi Secondary School in 2005. She is a first generation Canadian whose parents emigrated from England and Hong Kong. Following her graduation from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, she relocated to Campbell River. Rachel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Social Work. Her interests in social welfare and at-risk populations were sparked when her family adopted her two special needs sisters. Since then she has worked with a diverse range of issues from mental health to disabilities, which has only made her more invested in helping others in whatever way is possible.
In 2013, Rachel completed a practicum with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Band in Kamloops where she worked with their First Nations Court and Restorative Justice Program.
Rachel joined the Sasamans Society team in 2013 where she has been able to continue working with Indigenous communities as our Cultural Connections Worker.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Tasleem was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa as a single child to two full-time working parents. As such, she spent many of her childhood hours in the company of her Grandparents and the elders in her family and community. After immigrating to Canada at the age of thirteen with her mom and brand-new baby brother, Tasleem embraced her new freedoms in this new country. She began learning to navigate the challenges associated with starting a new life in a country with fewer family connections and cultural resources than back home.
Much of her twenties were spent working in a range of occupations, from housekeeping to home renovation and construction; from delicatessens to self-employed contracting. During this time Tasleem met many people from diverse backgrounds who shared their life stories about their desire and need for connection and a feeling of community. Understanding adversity and diversity and the necessity of inclusion has come from her experience and of those she has met along the way. As such, Tasleem values the lived experiences of people and strives to honour each person's truth and story.
Her work with women overcoming their addictions over the past three years have given Tasleem a unique perspective on the realities that many women face in healing their trauma and hopes that this role will allow her to communicate how hard women and families work to overcome these adversities and bring healing to their communities. She is looking forward to building a community around her work in the role of Mamalilikulla Designated Band Representative and in learning from the people who she will be engaging with.
My name is Taylor Shuttleworth (Nee: Gee). I'm a 25-year-old, cisgender female who is of Scottish, Irish, and Jewish descent on my maternal side. On my paternal side I'm Swedish and Norwegian with Sami descent and ties to the Wei Wai Kai First Nation. I started my journey with Sasamans Society in 2016, when I completed a practicum at NIC for my Social Work Diploma. Since then, I have primarily worked as one of the Indigenous Youth Navigator's in Campbell River. I'm extremely passionate about the work I do, being a former youth in care myself.
A bit more about me is that I'm born and raised in Campbell River, briefly living in Sayward and on Quadra Island. I find these roots give me a deep connection to our oceans, mountains, and old growth forests. On my journey I often feel as though I'm on an endless search for knowledge, new adventures, and deep healing. In addition, I love to travel, read, spend time with my family and dog, while trying new things!
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors