MEET THE BOARD
Our Board of Directors plays a strong role in the governance and leadership of our organization. They represent many of the demographics and fellow Heiltsuk organizations that are key to the success of our programs.
One of the intentions of our board composition is to build the kind of connectivity that will ensure our programs are rooted in authentic community needs and grown in a way that leverages strong collaborations in service of our people.
CARRIE EASTERBROOK
Carrie is the Executive Director at Kaxla Child & Family Services, and a powerful advocate for Heiltsuk youth, elders, and families.
JOHANNA GORDON-WALKER
Johanna is an award-winning educator who runs the SEAS (Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards) program at Bella Bella Community School.
JOANN GREEN
Joann is a hereditary chief and the director of the Waglisla Adult Learning Centre. She has dedicated her life to community education and cultural revitalization for the Heiltsuk people.
CINDY NEILSON
Cindy is the director of the Community Wellness Program at the Heiltsuk Health Centre, including a role overseeing programming out of the Youth Centre.
MAVIS WINDSOR
In addition to her role as the chair of our board, Mavis is the Director of the Heiltsuk Social Development Department, a strong matriarch, and a powerful community advocate.
KEY STAFF
In addition to these key staff, we’re proud to employ a team of millworkers and a construction crew, and seasonal program team comprised primarily of Heiltsuk students to run projects like Koeye Camp and our Food Systems Resiliency work.
Photo credit: Louise Whitehouse and The Narwhal
JESS HOUSTY
Executive Director
Photo credit: Louise Whitehouse and The Narwhal
LARRY JORGENSON
Founding Director (ret.)
Kunsoot Project Manager
VENNITA STEGMAN
Office Manager
MARY LESLIE
Finance Administrator
Photo credit: Michael Martin
AARON DITCHFIELD
Operations Manager
PAULINE IMAMURA
Food Security Programs Manager
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MICHEAL STEGMAN
Food Security Coordinator
JENNIFER LIGHTNING SOIFER
Gardener
KOEYE DOGS
Our pups at Koeye Camp are a key part of our work to mitigate our impact on bears in the watershed by reducing the potential for human-bear conflict. Our dogs are fiercely loyal to the children in our programs and accompany them throughout the watershed during our seasonal programs. They live in Koeye year-round with our caretaker.
They sense bears, often before we’re aware they’re nearby, and alert us to their presence with a steady bark. They engage the bears and learn how to interact with each individual bear that calls Koeye home. They’re trained to stay with the animals rather than bringing them back toward their humans.
M̓ÁYÁŁA
M̓áyáɫa (friend) is a purebred Great Pyrenees, and our newest addition at Koeye!
M̓UX̌VSṂ́
M̓ux̌vsṃ́ (white, as in a mountain) is a Great Pyrenees/Bernese Mountain Dog.
KÚSA
Kúsa (from qvús: eagledown) is a purebred Great Pyrenees.
HUMSUM (In Memoriam)
Humsum was a loyal protector and hard worker at Koeye for many years. We are so grateful for his service & friendship.
PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION
The work we do would be impossible without the help of our generous partners, funders, and collaborators. Walas gayasixa to our community of supporters!
We benefit from a strong, well-resourced community that's committed to
collaboration for the well-being of our people, including:
Yím̓ás (Chiefs) and W̓úm̓aqs (Matriarchs)
Heiltsuk Tribal Council
Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department
Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre
Heiltsuk Social Development Department
Bella Bella Community School
Heiltsuk College & Waglisla Adult Learning Centre
Gvi‘ilas Restorative Justice Department
Hailika'as Heiltsuk Health Centre
Heiltsuk Youth Centre
Kaxla Child & Family Services
RW Large Memorial Hospital
Kunsoot Wellness Society
We also have a long history of partnerships with outside organizations that
enrich the lives of the youth and families in our programs.
In particular, we'd like to acknowledge:
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
UVic Applied Conservation Lab
And as a charitable non-profit, we are incredibly grateful for the
funding relationships that enable us to do good work for our community.
In particular, we'd like to highlight:
Nature United
MakeWay Foundation
United Way Lower Mainland (Local Love Food Hubs)
Vancouver Coastal Health
Community Food Centres Canada
Service Canada
Midcoast First Nations Training Society
Nia Tero
...and a network of anonymous foundations and
individual donors who generously support our work!
Photo credit: Sara Wickham
Photo credit: Kalina Hunter
DONATE
Love what we do? Support our programs by
donating to Qqs Project Society!
Photo credit: Chris Darimont
