Gaagwiis Jason Alsop

President, Haida Nation, Haida Gwaii

Elected President of the Haida Nation and a member of the Ts’aahl Eagle Clan, Gaagwiis has been involved in the governance of the Haida Nation since 2010. He has served the community as a manager, leader and educator, including managing Haida Heritage sites, visitor interactions, tourism infrastructure and planning related to Haida culture and language, and Indigenous tourism development on Haida Gwaii, the Northern BC region and provincially.

Gaagwiis was one of inaugural instructors of the Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society (Haida Gwaii Semester in Reconciliation Studies) and is a graduate of Royal Roads University with MA in Tourism Management. His Masters research project examined the landmark Gwaii Haanas Agreement as a demonstration of reconciliation in action. His research, which explored the effectiveness of the agreement at meeting employment and training objectives from a Haida community perspective, was recognized with a Governor Generals Gold Medal award in 2018.

During his time with the Council of the Haida Nation, Gaagwiis has served on SGaan Kinghlas/Bowie Seamount management board and as a member of the Archipelago Management Board of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site.

Donald “Duffy” Edgars

Chief Councillor, Old Massett Village Council

Bio to come.

Doug Neasloss

Chief Councillor, Kitasoo Band Council

For more than two decades, Doug Neasloss has worked to protect wildlife and ecosystems in Kitasoo Xai’xais territory and throughout the Great Bear Rainforest. For 11 years, he has acted as both Chief Councillor and Stewardship Director for the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation.

Doug played a central role in helping the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation become a leading example of sustainable ecotourism, driven by the success of the Spirit Bear Lodge and a strong commitment to stewarding the region’s abundant cultural and natural resources. He shared the same commitment to cultural and environmental stewardship as a past representative with other organizations and planning bodies, including the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council, Nature United and Destination BC.

As a strong voice for protecting iconic bears in Kitasoo Xai’xais territory and across BC, Doug played a lead role in the successful effort to end trophy hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest and across BC. He remains the Executive Director for the Spirit Bear Research Foundation and Board member for the Grizzly Bear Foundation.

Robert Nelson

Chief Councillor, Metlakatla Governing Council

Bio to come.

Bruce Reece

Chief Councillor, Gitga’at Nation

Bruce Reece has been a proud community member serving as a leader for years. He currently manages the Gitga’at Guardian team and lives in Hartley Bay. Bruce carries full knowledge of the territory and engages and reviews marine safety, and always encourages education for our youth.

Marcia Robinson

Councillor, Gitxaała Nation

Bio to come.

Tlhmtimut Samuel Schooner

Chief Councillor, Nuxalk Nation

Elected Chief Councillor of the Nuxalk Nation, Tlhmtimut Samuel Schooner has served eight years as an elected Nuxalk council member and eight years as a director with the Central Coast Regional District, three of those as its Chair.

Samuel is a strong advocate for training in trades and participated in the Nuxalk Nation’s innovative on-site four-year carpentry training program with Camosun College and the Industry Training Authority. In 2020, 12 Nuxalk carpenters graduated from their four-year apprenticeships and many went on to complete their Red Seal Certification. The program has resulted in several new housing units built for community members, by community members.

During his first term as Chief Councillor, Samuel remains committed to building his Nation’s potential through sustainable economic development, community-based education and training, and upholding Nuxalk’s long-standing assertion of rights and title in their territory.

Abúk Danielle Shaw

Chief Councillor, Wuikinuxv Nation

Chief Abúk Danielle Shaw was elected to lead the first all-woman council of the Wuikinuxv Nation in 2020. Before becoming Chief Councillor, Danielle worked toward self-governance and growth for the Nation in diverse ways, including her role as Wuikinuxv Stewardship Director until 2019. Danielle studied at the School of Business at Capilano University for business administration, and has applied those learnings to support her Nation in many areas, including treaty development, a traditional foods and Wuikinuxv Health Administration.

In 2020, Danielle was awarded the Murray A. Newman Award for Significant Achievement in Aquatic Conservation, which recognized her dedicated contributions to marine protected areas, integration frameworks reflecting Indigenous Ways of Knowing, sustainable policy and advocacy contributions, and leadership of the Wuikinuxv Nation.

K̓áwáziɫ Marilyn Slett

Chief Councillor, Heiltsuk Tribal Council

Elected Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, K̓áwáziɫ Marilyn Slett is President of CFN-GBI, a Board Director for the BC Assembly of First Nations and a member of the Vancouver Coastal Health Board of Directors. She previously held the position of the BC Assembly of First Nations Women’s Representative on the National Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council and Co-Chair of the Wild Salmon Advisory Council.

As Chief Councillor, Marilyn has worked tirelessly to protect Heiltsuk title and rights and the health of coastal ecosystems, since the Heiltsuk way of life depends fundamentally on the latter. She led the Nation through the catastrophic and ongoing effects of the Nathan E. Stewart tugboat spill in a culturally important harvesting area in Heiltsuk territory and participated in the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River to protect sockeye salmon.

Marilyn was a strong voice in opposing the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, which was eventually quashed, and she played a lead role in ensuring the passage of the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, legislation that now protects the North Pacific Coast from oil spills.

Billy Yovanovich

Chief Councillor, Skidegate Band Council

Born and raised on Haida Gwaii, Billy Yovanovich has remained committed to protecting and sustainably managing the region’s cultural and natural resources his entire life.

Billy has been a leading voice with the Skidegate Band Council for 12 years, first as an Elected Councillor and now as the current Chief Councillor, and he has shared his strong commitment for cultural and environmental stewardship as a Board member with Coastal First Nations for most of that time.

Since 2017, Billy has acted as a Director with the Gwaii Trust Society, which helps to manage a multi-million-dollar fund for the benefit of all people of Haida Gwaii. In his spare time, Billy is an avid fisherman.
As Chief Councillor, Marilyn has worked tirelessly to protect Heiltsuk title and rights and the health of coastal ecosystems, since the Heiltsuk way of life depends fundamentally on the latter. She led the Nation through the catastrophic and ongoing effects of the Nathan E. Stewart tugboat spill in a culturally important harvesting area in Heiltsuk territory and participated in the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River to protect sockeye salmon.

Marilyn was a strong voice in opposing the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, which was eventually quashed, and she played a lead role in ensuring the passage of the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, legislation that now protects the North Pacific Coast from oil spills.

Christine Smith-Martin

Chief Executive Officer

A member of the Haida and Tsimshian Nations, Christine Smith-Martin provides strategic leadership in advancing CFN-GBI’s long-term goals of protecting the cultural and natural heritage of CFN member Nations, and promoting community self-sufficiency and sustainable economic development throughout the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii.

Christine has a successful track record partnering with a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry and conservation groups, in efforts to address climate change, sustainable development and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

Previously, as CEO of the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society, Christine spearheaded efforts to deliver new and innovate programs, expanding the organization’s reach throughout the community. Together with colleagues, she helped design and develop the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council, which united more than 24 Vancouver-based Indigenous organizations and provided a platform for supporting likeminded programming and services. She also worked with the Skeena Wild Conservation Trust, engaging multiple Nations and other stakeholders in protecting that invaluable coastal region and watershed. 

With a deep understanding of this unique place and its people, Christine is dedicated to supporting CFN member Nations as they work together to build healthy and thriving coastal economies that recognize our Aboriginal Rights and Title, and protect our culture and ecosystems.

Trevor Russ 

Director –
Policy and Programs

Trevor Russ brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role of Director Policy and Programs for Coastal First Nations. In his previous role as a member of the CFN’s Executive Committee, Trevor helped to initiate and advance several important goals and priorities that now serve as a foundation for programmatic efforts across the organization.

Trevor has also spent almost two decades as an elected representative of the Council of Haida Nation, serving as the Vice-President for more than a decade.

In his extensive work for the Haida Nation, Trevor carried out several important roles, including overseeing the development and implementation of co-governance processes for the implementation of joint and shared decision making for terrestrial and marine areas in Haida Gwaii. Participating in many co-governance decision making processes for terrestrial and marine use activities, development of policies for the Nation, overseeing the operations of the Council of the Haida Nation and acting as a negotiator and second speaker of the Haida Nation.

Paul Kariya 

Senior Advisor – Special Projects

As CFN’s Special Policy Advisor, Paul Kariya brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in several public policy subjects, including carbon offsets, fish and fisheries management, renewable energy development, and leadership and reconciliation. He is also Acting General Manager of the Great Bear Carbon Credit Co LP, a company owned by CFN member Nations that sells carbon offsets for projects throughout the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. 

No stranger to the north Pacific Coast, Paul grew up in a commercial fishing family on Vancouver Island’s west coast. His career has been focused on issues that matter to coastal communities—from reconciliation and climate change to natural resources management and economic development.

Prior to joining CFN, Paul has worked in the public sector both federally and provincially and was Executive Director of Clean Energy BC, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and the BC Treaty Commission, as well as CEO of Fisheries Renewal BC. He was also a Professor at Trinity Western University, and holds a BA (Hon) from UBC and a MA and PhD from Clark University in Massachusetts. Paul continues to serve on several community boards and has represented Canada as a Commissioner on the Pacific Salmon Commission.

Johanna Helbig

Director of Operations

As CFN-GBI’s Director of Operations, Johanna Helbig manages internal operations, including finance and human resources. By emphasizing collaborative management, mental health and wellness in the workplace, and nurturing effective teams, Johanna strives to enhance staff capacity and improve operational systems and processes to more effectively support CFN-GBI’s important work.

Prior to taking on this role in 2022, Johanna has made significant contributions to the organization, holding various positions within CFN-GBI since its inception. She initially joined while working with the David Suzuki Foundation, during the formation of the alliance of First Nations in 2000 to the establishment of its non-profit Society in 2003.

Johanna grew up in Cornwall, England, and holds an MSc in Forestry in Relation to Land Use from Oxford University, UK, and a BSc in Geography from University College London. Most recently, she completed her Certificate in Non-Profit Management at Simon Fraser University.

Caitlin Thompson

Director of Communications

Bio to come.

Leslie Brown

Programs Administrator

Bio to come.

Dan Cardinall

Lands Program

Bio to come.

Dan Cardinall

Lands Program

Bio to come.

Lana Dubljevic

Accounts Payable Administrator

Bio to come.

Carla Fernandes

Acting Junior Bookkeeper

Bio to come.

Emilee Gilpin

Senior Communications Advisor & Community Storyteller

Bio to come.

Amber Goulet

Executive Assistant

Bio to come.

Sarah Harper

Fisheries Reconciliation Bio-Regional Coordinator

Bio to come.

Carie Hoover

Fisheries Reconciliation Bio-Regional Coordinator
(On leave)

Bio to come.

Brenna Innes

Program Manager – Partnerships and Innovations

Bio to come.

Santana LeCamp

Operations Assistant

Bio to come.

Gabriela Lech

Climate Action Network Lead

With a blend of academic knowledge, field experience, non-profit organization roles and community engagement, Gabriela is committed to contributing to inclusive initiatives that address the most pressing climate change challenges of our time. She believes in the importance of both policy development and place-based grassroots efforts to tackle climate change. Gabriela holds a Masters’ degree in Climate Change, a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, a Natural Resource Science accreditation from the Haida Gwaii Institute and is passionate about using her academic, professional, and experiential learnings to support community-oriented and Indigenous-led climate solutions. Gabriela is also a freelance visual artist on the side, working mostly in acrylic, watercolour, and oil paints. She enjoys rock climbing, surfing, trail running, and reading in her free time at her home in Vancouver.

Christina Lu

Controller

Bio to come.

Faustina Mambwere

Senior Bookkeeper

Bio to come.

Lisa Maloney

Climate Action Administrator

Bio to come.

Wendy Manson

Grants and Contracts Coordinator

Bio to come.

Loretta McMillan

Board & Policy Assistant

Bio to come.

Aroha Miller

Program Manager – Coastal Stewardship Network

Bio to come.

Megan Moody

Program Manager – Wild Salmon

Bio to come.

Trent Moraes

Program Manager – Shoreline Debris Cleanup

Bio to come.

Hina Rafaqat

Senior HR Administrator

Bio to come.

Shak Sur

Climate Action Facilitator

Shakya Sur (pronounced “Shakko,” but he also goes by “Shak”) is a settler to Canada with dual roots in India and the tiny Middle East nation of Bahrain. With a background in mechanical engineering and sustainability, a BSc from the University of Southern California and an MASc from the University of Toronto, Shakya is excited to support Indigenous-led climate action! In a previous role, Shakya was an Engineer-in-Training with the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corp, a First Nations-led technical advisory non-profit in Ontario, where he directly supported key infrastructure projects in communities while being a technical resource for the Community Energy Champions program. In his spare time, Shak enjoys staying active, practicing yoga, playing guitar, going birdwatching and chasing meteor showers.

Gillian Aubie Vines 

Program Manager – Climate Action

Gillian has over 20 years of experience leading complex projects for clients, and over 10 years of experience working directly with Indigenous communities and organizations. Since 2012, Gillian has served Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative as the Climate Action Project Manager.

Over the last 10 years, Gillian has led CFN-GBI’s efforts to support member Nations (Wuikinuxv, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Nuxalk, Gitga’at, Metlakatla, Old Massett, Skidegate) in their efforts to end dependency on fossil fuels and advance climate adaptation, include the development of the Indigenous Climate Action Network. Gillian is a volunteer with the Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club, and enjoys spending time outside with her family.