Emily Dicken, Director of Emergency Management, First Nations Health Authority

Dr. Emily Dicken has worked as a practitioner in the field of emergency management since 2006, spending the first twelve years of her career with the province of BC working in health emergency management and then for Emergency Management BC where she held the role of Director, First Nation Coordination. Emily is now the Director of Emergency Management at First Nations Health Authority. Beyond her work at FNHA, Emily pursues academic interests with a central focus on understanding colonialism as an unnatural and enduring disaster impacting Indigenous communities. When not working, Emily can be found enjoying time in the outdoors with her husband Jeff and their two young sons, Keegan and Bowen.

Syexwaliya (Ann Whonnock), Ancestral Knowledge Holder, Squamish Nation

Syexwaliya (Ann Whonnock) from Squamish has strong Indigenous worldviews, ancestral knowledge and traditional teachings, and is widely respected and acknowledged for the level of service, work and energy that she has committed to her community.

Levi Martin, Nuu Chah Nulth Elder and Healer, Tsow Tun Le Lum

Jodi August, Resolution Health Support Worker Coordinator, Tsow Tun Le Lum

My traditional name Is Muloqwiye and I am from the Xelaltxw Mustimuxw (Halalt First Nation), and I am a mother of two beautiful souls that have grown into amazing young men. I have spent many years working in health, with children in care and then moved to Tsow-Tun Le Lum at the beginning of this year. I am currently working in the Resolution Health Support Worker Coordinator role, which means I provide guidance and supervision to our RHSW’s and Cultural Support team. I was raised by my mom and my grandmother in Xelaltxw – both women are strong, independent, advocates who shared and instilled their cultural teachings and core values in me, which I incorporate into my daily life.

Stephanie Papik, Director Strategic Integration of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Safety and Humility, Emergency Management BC

Stephanie Papik is of Inuit and Irish descent. Stephanie was born in Akaitcho Territory in the Northwest Territories and raised here in Lkwungen territory. Stephanie earned an Honours Degree in Science, with distinction, at the University of Concordia in Montreal, Quebec. Building bridges between Inuit, Metis, First Nation and non-indigenous people has been a passion that has carried her through her life and career.For six years Stephanie developed leadership skills in Indigenous youth, Supervisors and Mentors as the Program Lead for the Indigenous Youth Internship Program. Through this work, she has been recognized as a Champion for Diversity and Inclusion in the Public Sector by BC Inclusion Works. Stephanie then moved on to the Priorities and Accountability Office in the Office of the Premier where she had the opportunity to support the transition of ministries working with the new government. Stephanie is now working for both Emergency Management BC as Director for Strategic Integration of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Safety and Humility.

Janene Erickson, First Nations Health Authority