The 2010 All Chiefs Task Force recommended FNFC to coordinate BC First Nations’ political and technical capacity and develop a cohesive and united voice among BC First Nations. Our approach is to convene First Nations, listen to their priorities and perspectives, and help clearly articulate their shared messaging to decision makers. These structures and processes that support coherent messaging to the government.
Our mandate
Our mandate was given to us by BC First Nations through the BC First Nations Fisheries Action Plan (2007), ratified by the participants at the 2009 Fall Fisheries Assembly in Nanaimo BC, and endorsed by resolution of the BC Assembly of First Nations, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the First Nations Summit. It is a shared vision on how to effectively achieve progress on First Nations’ goals and priorities, and create transformative change in Pacific fisheries.
Council delegates
Our Council is appointed by First Nations communities and organizations from 14 geographic regions. Our regional model was designed by First Nations to reflect the diversity in ecology, cultures, expertise, fisheries practices, and perspectives across the province. Each member of the council is a strong ambassador connecting people in their region to the conversation on fisheries issues of common interest for all First Nations in BC. Together, the council helps create a strong, coherent First Nations voice throughout the province of BC.
Hugh Braker
President, WEST COAST VANCOUVER ISLAND
Ken Malloway
Vice-President, FRASER VALLEY
Dawn Machin
Secretary-Treasurer, MID FRASER (1)
Thomas Alexis
UPPER FRASER
John Henderson
NORTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
Larry George
SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
Stu Barnes
UPPER SKEENA
Shayla Lawrence
TRANSBOUNDARY COLUMBIA
Shawn Cowpar
HAIDA GWAII
Richard Wimbush
MID FRASER (2)
Rich Chapple
CENTRAL COAST
Seat Vacant
Lower Mainland
Seat Vacant
Northern Transboundary
Seat Vacant
North Coast
FNFC office and staff
We have a dedicated team of over 26 dedicated full-time professionals who work from our office located in the Territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations in Vancouver. Our team’s diverse skill set has supported FNFC’s significant growth since its early days, allowing us to steadily broaden the scope of our work to support First Nations capacity and collaboration.
PFM – Policy & fish management
Janson Wong
Sr. Manager, Policy & Fish Management
Mike Gray
Manager, Aquaculture
Vacant
Manager, Fisheries
Surbhi Ratti
Coordinator, Policy & Fish Management
John Morra
Coordinator, Policy & Fish Management
Zander Chila
Coordinator, Policy & Fish Management
Claire Crowley
Coordinator, Policy & Fish Management
PIR – Partnerships & intergovernmental relations
Astrid Niemann-Zajac
Sr. Manager, Partnerships & Intergovernmental Relations
Taylor Mason
Manager, Oceans Protections Plan
Cassandra Jeffery
Policy Analyst, Partnerships & Intergovernmental Relations
Jacquelyne Fitchell
Manager, Partnerships & Intergovernmental Relations
Courtney Halvorson
Consultant, Province of BC
Vacant
Coordinator, Partnerships & Intergovernmental Relations
HEP – Habitat & environmental protections
Victoria Burdett-Coutts
Consultant, Habitat & Environmental Protections
Susi Porter-Bopp
Manager, Habitat & Environmental Protections
Jenna Duncan
Manager, First Nations Fisheries Legacy Fund
Kimbaya Carriere
Coordinator, Habitat & Environmental Protections
Katherine Van Dam
Consultant, Province of BC
Vacant
Coordinator, First Nations Fisheries Legacy Fund
First Nations in BC
There are over 200 First Nations communities in BC, each with a distinct culture, identity, and connection to their lands and waters.
