Krista Stelkia
Krista Stelkia (Advisory Committee) is Manager of Population Health and Wellness in the Office of the Chief Medial Officer at the First Nations Health Authority.
Melanie Rivers
Melanie Rivers (Advisory Committee) is Senior Advisor, Strategic Policy; Policy, Planning & Transformation at the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia.
I am Coast Salish from the Squamish Nation. My St’atl’imc name is 7imlemelwet which means ‘medicine’. I have worked in First Nations health for 17 years and believe strongly in community-driven, culturally grounded and strength-based approaches to improving health outcomes for First Nations peoples. I have been a key leader in the area of Aboriginal HIV/AIDS work and now work at the First Nations Health Authority as a Senior Advisor in the area of Strategic Policy with a focus on cultural safety and humility, traditional healing and wellness and health human resources. I am honoured to have visited and partnered with a majority of the 201 First Nations communities in BC. I recently completed a Masters in Public Health at the University of British Columbia, where I broadened my knowledge and skills in public health. I bring dedication, creativity and balance, grounding my work in science, culture and community. For her personal wellness goals, Melanie enjoys mixed-media painting, yoga, travel and spending time with my husband and very large cat.
Jeff Reading
Jeff Reading (Advisory Committee) is a Professor at Simon Fraser University and First Nations Health Authority Chair in Heart Health and Wellness at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Leslie Bonshor
Leslie Bonshor (Advisory Committee) is Executive Advisor, Aboriginal Health with Vancouver Coastal Health.
Lucy Duncan
Lucy Duncan (Indigenous Elder Researcher & Advisory Committee) is Elder at Central Interior Native Health Society in Prince George, British Columbia.
My name is Lucille Duncan, First Nations of Binche Keyoh. I belong to the Lhojaboo clan. My educational background, Indigenous cultural knowledge and life experiences have equipped me well to be part of this research. It is an honour to take part in this particular research as I work downtown Prince George at Central Interior Native Health Society as a Dakelh Elder and previously as an Aboriginal Support Worker. CINHS provides health services for the Aboriginal population and diverse group of people who struggle with mental health and addiction, homelessness, and chronic diseases. As an Elder, I provide services in spiritual guidance and counseling, cultural practices, family support, and connect people with other health or community resources. My experiences as Aboriginal and a frontline worker has lead me to ensure that all people receive adequate and proper health services especially in the area of treating people with respect, dignity, building healthy relationships and understanding the history of Aboriginal people in Canada.
Cheryl Ward
Cheryl Ward (Co-Investigator & Advisory Committee) is the Executive Director of Indigenous Health and Provincial Lead San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training for the Provincial Health Services Authority.
Leslie Varley
Leslie Varley (Co-Investigator & Advisory Committee) is the Executive Director at the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres.
