MEET THE
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Jessica Joseph
Songhees Community Member
Jessica Joseph is a member of the Songhees Community and currently resides on the traditional lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking people, now known as Victoria, BC. Jessica is a creative at heart who generates joy through hands-on immersion in art and culture. When she’s not facilitating land-based learning with school districts 61, she can be found engaging in her cultural teachings through beading, leatherwork and painting. Jessica is passionate about creating a better world for Indigenous youth:
“I want to make the world safer and more comfortable for the next generation, where any space is safe for Indigenous youth; where our voices are heard, valid and amplified.”
– Jessica
Tiffany Joseph
Filmmaker, environmental steward, and SENĆOŦEN language holder
ŚW̱,XELOSELWET (Tiffany Joseph) is a writer, visual and oral storyteller, young knowledge carrier of historical and plant knowledge, and educator. Her ancestry is of Sḵx̱wu7mesh (Fresh Water people) and W̱SÁNEĆ (Saltwater people, Emerging people) peoples. She is trained in motion picture production and has created short films for her W̱SÁNEĆ community. She grounds her work by sharing this knowledge through on the land learning, and ecological restoration. In addition, she is drawn to work that promotes the wellness of our minds, bodies, and the environment in which we live because the well-being of the land and the people is intertwined. Tiffany is the Producer of the award-nominated film ‘The Cowichan Sweater: Our Knitted Legacy’, available to stream on CBC Gem.
Gordon Elliott
Director of Operations, Co-Founder of the WLC
Gord Elliott works at the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) and has extensive management experience and training. He has been the Operations Manager at the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board for the past 30 years and has experience and certifications in project and construction management. Before the WLC’s incorporation, Gord was the Coordinator. Once the WLC was incorporated, Gord was appointed the Director of Operations. He has been an actively elected Councilor for Tsartlip First Nation for the past twelve years.
“I am the master of nothing, but I am an expert in getting the right people together to discuss and solve issues”
– Gord
Katharina Stocker
Executive Director at NIL TU,O Child & Family Services Society
With over 20 years of experience in program and project management, Katharina Stocker has played a pivotal role in advancing Aboriginal health initiatives and fostering cultural competency within British Columbia’s health sector. She has led groundbreaking projects like the award-winning initiative to map traditional First Nations communities, enhancing healthcare staff’s understanding of Aboriginal culture. As the current Executive Director at NIL TU,O Child & Family Services Society, and a former Executive Director for the Northern Health Authority and Tsawout/Saanichton Delegated Aboriginal Agency, Katharina has influenced policy and change leadership, ensuring that First Nations communities have access to vital health services. Her commitment to Aboriginal health and community engagement continues to shape the landscape of health services in the region.
ABOUT THE BOARD OF ADVISORS.
Over the last year, our work has been profiled in National and International media and is making waves within Indigenous communities in BC. We’ve been told repeatedly that we are “setting the standard” for Indigenous communications Nationally and internationally. We are so grateful to our incredible clients for their trust and collaboration, as it takes remarkable relationships to deliver such exceptional results.
As we look into the future with ambitious expansion plans, we know that to go where we have never gone, we must do what we have never done. As such, we have brought on a Board of Advisors to guide us into an exceptional 2024 and beyond. Our Advisory board will review our reports and planning documents, provide insight, advice, guidance & expertise to help us achieve our goals, in a good way.
Our goals and objectives are:
1. To support our clients in achieving their objectives by:
a. Amplifying Indigenous voices, culture, accomplishments & worldview
b. Aiding in culture and language preservation & regeneration
c. Supporting and promoting a decolonized worldview and value system
d. Helping settlers understand and actively engage in reconciliACTION
e. Learning from Knowledge Holders how to grow in a good way
f. Hire, train, pay, promote, and mentor team members from marginalized identities with an emphasis on hiring youth from the communities we serve.
2. To do work that matters & positively impact our clients, staff, and the world.
3. To become the trusted communications agency for Indigenous-led organizations in BC
4. To have fun, innovate & use our creativity, imagination, and passion for our work to achieve our goals.
In meeting these specific objectives, the new Board of Directors will help us to achieve our overall mission of:
“Supporting Indigenous leaders to amplify initiatives, engage community members, and create buy-in through a comprehensive range of multimedia communications services.”