Indigenous Food-Related Wellness Advisory Member Biographies

QWUSTENUXUN (JARED) WILLIAMS

Quw’utsun working in his territory

Jared Williams was raised immersed in Hul’q’umi’num and Salish Culture by his grandmother, and his father taught him how to dip net and spear fish and cook them “like the old people did.” He has also completed the Culinary Arts program at Malaspinda University College and learned First Nations plant harvesting through the Wild Roots Apprenticeship.

Jared has been the Elders Kitchen Manager with Quw'utsun Sul'hween since 2009, and a teacher and program manager with the Aluxut Program since 2011, where he teaches workshops on traditional foods, cooking techniques, plants, language, and culture. He also works with universities and other organizations (such as FNHA, Island Health, and Songhees Nation) to further Salish food sovereignty.

LEAH MORGAN

Tla-o-qui-aht working in her territory

Leah Morgan is from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, and grew up in the potlatch way. She was taught how to provide, protect, prepare and service traditional foods. Annually, Leah harvests and preserves much of her own food and medicines. She holds a certificate in Culinary Arts and has worked as a chef at numerous establishments.

Leah has experience designing, producing, and facilitating workshops, conferences, and internal training for staff, as well as building networks and creating partnerships.

Additionally, Leah has completed Year One for a Bachelor of Social Work for First Nations, holds a Certificate in Aboriginal Governments, and a Diploma in Public Sector Management. She has several years of experience as a counsellor working with Indian Residential School survivors, individuals and couples struggling with addiction, and has supported HIV/AIDS education and Harm-reduction.

CARA BASIL

Secwépemc working in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory

Cara Basil is proudly Secwépemc with lineage to both the Bonaparte and Esk’etemc First Nations in Secwepemcúl’ecw. She is the daughter of Elaine Basil and granddaughter of Tom and Irene Basil who have guided the path that she follows today. Bonaparte is home, however, Cara currently resides in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory.

Cara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Aboriginal Studies from Thompson Rivers University and is completing a Master of Arts (Interdisciplinary Studies: Community Engagement, Social Change, and Equity) degree at the University of British Columbia Okanagan with her research focusing on Indigenous health and specifically community-based palliative care for First Nations. With a passion for decolonizing spaces through an Indigenous health and wellness perspective, Cara values weaving culture and language throughout her work.

Cara has extensive experience supporting First Nations across BC and Canada in various capacities including governance, education, planning and health. As a previous Elected Councillor of Bonaparte, Cara strives to action innovative change for Indigenous Peoples through community-driven initiatives, strong governance and advocacy tools, and inclusive, safe spaces.

RACHEL DICKENS

Ts’msyen working in Nuu chah nulth territory

Rachel was born and raised in Prince Rupert, a small coastal town in Northern BC. She is of mixed ancestry; her mother immigrated from Hong Kong in 1978, and from her fathers’ side she is a member of La̱x Kw’alaams, a Ts’msyen Nation (Tsim-she-yan, meaning “Inside the Skeena River”) made up of 9 of the 14 Allied Tribes. La̱x Kw’alaams is located 30km by boat from Prince Rupert, and is derived from the Sm’algya̱x word Laxłgu’alaams which loosely translates to ‘place of the small roses’. She now currently has the privilege of living and working on the unceded ancestral homelands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, colonially known as Tofino.

Rachel works alongside the Nuu-chah-nulth Peoples as a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator and is currently employed by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with other Indigenous-led organizations, including ISPARC (Indigenous Sports and Recreation Council) and NIDA (National Indigenous Diabetes Association), who are actively promoting wellness through a decolonized lens.

Her formal education was completed at Griffith University in Australia, graduating with a Bachelors in Biomedical Science in 2007 and a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics, majoring in Public Health, in 2011. She is currently undertaking a Ph.D. program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a focus on food sovereignty, traditional foods, and land-based physical activity.

PAULETTE FLAMMOND

Métis from Saskatchewan working in Dane-zaa territory

Paulette Flamond is a strong and proud Métis woman who grew up in Battleford, SK. She found her way to the Peace Region more than 20 years ago, settling in Charlie Lake, BC, where she still resides, dedicating her limited spare time to organic gardening, and weaving her traditional cultural beliefs into a healthy and productive lifestyle.

Currently a Minister at MNBC, Paulette spent a 20 year term as Executive Director of Northeast Aboriginal Business Centre, and owns an agri-tourism farm in the Northeast where her and her husband grow Indigenous foods. She currently serves on the Canada Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), as the Northern BC rep, as well as on the Aboriginal Business Service Network, as a board member. In the past, Paulette has served for the Provincial Government on the Northern Development Initiative Trust, and the Native Economic Development Advisory Board.

Paulette holds a certificate in Native Communications from Grant MacEwan University, a certification in Aboriginal Management from UBC Sauder School of Business, and was awarded an Honorary Associate Arts Degree from Northern Lights College. She is a graduate of two Life Coaching programs, and is a licensed Heal Your Life instructor, a program which is directed by the philosophies of Louise Hay. Paulette has been honoured with many awards for her advocacy work, including the Northern British Columbia Business and Technology Mentor Award, Aurora Award of Distinction for Aboriginal Woman of the Year from Community Futures, and the Economic Developer of the Year Award from CANDO.

KALISTA PRUDEN

Métis working in East Coast Salish territory

Kalista Pruden is a proud Métis woman and mother of three, currently residing in the Columbia Valley of BC on the traditional territory of the Shuswap and Ktunaxa. She started a career in environmental science and stewardship in 2006 out of her love for all relations, but found her true calling in the field of permaculture just over a decade ago. In 2017 she launched her business, Avalily Permaculture and The Earthskills Institute, offering permaculture education, consulting and design, earthskills education and events, and programs and resources for children and youth.

Kalista is passionate about regenerative design, food and resource security and sovereignty, indigenous food relations, cultural reclamation, and preserving traditional knowledge and skills for living off the land. Over the past 12 years Kalista has built and operated a regenerative urban homestead that includes a food forest, a greenhouse, chickens, composting systems, annual and perennial gardens, a pond, rainwater collection and passive irrigation systems, and bees. She grows, hunts, fishes, forages, processes and preserves as much food and medicine as she can.

Throughout her career, Kalista has worked with multiple community organizations focused on food security, organized skill sharing events, assisted with delivery of international permaculture education programs to over 750 students, and delivered custom education programs to indigenous groups and schools across the province seeking to create resilient, regenerative food systems and spaces to connect in community. She works with ISPARC’s Food Systems Program, Kwantlen Polytechnic’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, Sik-E-Dakh Farm School, Groundswell Network Society, Verge Permaculture and several other organizations. Kalista also sits on the Columbia Valley Métis Association board as the Women’s Representative and remains engaged with the Meeting My Ancestors community and Métis Women’s Program.

KYMBERLEE STOGAN

Kymberlee Stogan is Coast Salish, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. She is member of the Musqueam First Nation where she lives with her two children, Gordon and Jeremiah. Their family has been active in the fishing community in Musqueam for the past 5 years. In 2022 she was a student at the KPU- Richmond Farm School. Her personal goals include strengthening community programming through land-based healing activities.

SHANNON PELTIER

Shannon Peltier is the granddaughter of the late Flora Piché, and great Granddaughter of the late Philomena Cheecham (Fort McMurray First Nation #468). Shannon grew up in Ontario and has been living in the Okanagan for 18 years. Born of Cree, Métis, French and British ancestry. She earned her red seal in cooking, owned and operated The Lake Village Bakery (a sourdough bakery) from 2012-2018, and is currently working for The Osoyoos Indian Band in youth programming and completing her Masters of Indigenous Education. Shannon focuses a lot of her time on Indigenous Food Sovereignty, reconnecting to cultural practices and is committed to investing most of her energy into the youth, the next generation.

ROSALEE BROWN

Uuklas tliishinaq, uhish Rosalee Brown. I was born and raised on Vancouver Island BC. I am a Residential School Survivor, a Survivor of Cancer and a grateful Mother of 5 children (3 living) a grandmother of 8 granddaughters, a great-grandmother of 3 great-granddaughters and 1 great-grandson. I love living at home in Tofino BC and being an active part of food knowledge.

I did a Survey by IFWA earlier this year, which piqued my interest in the project, and was lucky enough to have been selected to sit on the board.

I appreciate all who are giving their valuable thoughts and advice. It's a worthwhile opportunity.