NVIT’s 5 Founding Communities
Term Ends December 2025

Lennard Joe is the CEO of the First Nations Forestry Council. Mr. Joe was previously the General Manager of Stuwix Resources Joint Venture and owner of Grizzly–Man Resource Management Ltd. He has over 29 years of forestry and business experience. Mr. Joe is a member of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation. Active in his community, he is President of Scwexmx Tribal Council, Board of Director for National Aboriginal Forestry Society & BC Indigenous Business Investment Council. Mr. Joe also is an Advisor to Chief & Council for the Shackan Band. Mr. Joe is a Registered Professional Forester & holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation from the UBC & a Diploma in Conservation Wildlife Management from Selkirk College.

BC’s Aboriginal Member-At-Large
Term Ends July 2028

Melanie Nelson is Samahquam, which is one of the First Nations that make up the larger St’at’imc Nation in BC. She is also Squiala from the Stó:lō Nation. Ms. Nelson is the granddaughter of two Indian residential school survivors. She is Project Manager for the Indigenous Youth Mental Health Literacy project with Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Ms. Nelson is a practicing clinician with First Nations communities and was previously a school psychologist with the Langley School District. She is Adjunct Professor at University of British Columbia (UBC), and Teacher of Indigenous Education and Inclusive Education in kindergarten through grade 12 as well as post-secondary. Active in her community, Ms. Nelson is a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Group in the Faculty of Education at UBC as well as the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation, National Association of School Psychologists, and Canadian Psychological Association. She is the recipient of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Award from the Government of Canada. Ms. Nelson has a professional certificate of qualification for Teaching in British Columbia. She is a certified school psychologist with the British Columbia Association of School Psychologists. Ms. Nelson holds a Master of Arts in School Psychology, a Bachelor of Education in Science, a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Diploma in Special Education from UBC.

BC’s Aboriginal Member-At-Large
Term Ends December 2025

Dr. Verna Billy-Minnabarriet of the St’uxwtews First Nation, is currently a BFN Councillor, is a passionate educator who has fostered the growth of Indigenous learners and communities throughout British Columbia. She has championed Indigenous education, decolonization and economic development in her 30-year career with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and on many provincial, national and international associations and boards.

Billy-Minnabarriet played a key role in building institutional partnerships for unique graduate programming, most recently the TRU/NVIT Master of Business Administration Indigenous cohort launched in 2022. She continues to create change as a former chair of the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association, a consortium of 40 Indigenous Post-Secondary institutes in BC.

Dr. Verna Billy-Minnabarriet’s contributions to education and community empowerment demonstrate the commitment to indigenization and decolonization that TRU strives to foster in its students. Dr Billy-Minnabarriet is currently employed with the University of British Columbia.

NVIT’s 5 Founding Communities
Term Ends December 2026

Sharon is a seasoned leader in Indigenous tourism and with almost two decades of experience in the industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Her career in tourism began in 2009, when she founded Kekuli Aboriginal Foods, a company dedicated to promoting Indigenous cuisine and culture. As CEO, Sharon oversaw all aspects of the business, from marketing and sales to operations and finance. Sharon also has a strong background in marketing, strategy building, and project management. She earned her MBA from Simon Fraser University and has applied those skills to various projects and initiatives in and outside the tourism industry. Sharon has served on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Indigenous Tourism Association of BC and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. She is also involved in various community initiatives, such as fundraising for local charities and mentoring women and youth in business entrepreneurship. Sharon is passionate about promoting Indigenous culture and supporting economic development in Indigenous communities.

NVIT’s 5 Founding Communities
Term Ends December 2025

Shane, a proud member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band, has extensive experience in both private and public industry. Shane has over 20 years of direct experience with Governing Boards, Chief and Councils, School Districts, and Provincial/Federal Governments, and these skill sets are considered valuable assets to those Shane serves. Equipped with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, a Bachelor of Education Degree, and years of leadership experience in BC public education, First Nation Bands/organizations, and human service sectors, Shane has contributed towards both the successful outcomes and self-sufficient futures for Indigenous People. Building trusting relationships and maintaining holistic connections are assets Shane holds for creating strategic implementation plans with individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities throughout the Province of BC.

BC’s Aboriginal Member-At-Large
Term Ends July 2028

Kwitelut, Kwelaw'ikw, Xa'nusamega, Carla Rose George is a proud woman of Skwxwu7mesh and Kwakiutl ancestry. Ms. George is serving her 4th term as an elected councillor at Squamish Nation. She also was cultural worker and Nexwiniwnitway facilitator/coordinator of alternative dispute resolution for Ayás Mén̓ Child and Family Services, and Aboriginal secretariat at Squamish Nation. Previously, Ms. George was a First Nation support worker at School Districts 44 and 48. Active in her community, she was a board member at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, West Vancouver Police Board, MST Development Corporation, and Polygon Gallery. Ms. George also was coach, manager and a player at Squamish United 30+. She is a graduate of the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education program at the Sauder School of Business and holds a certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization from the University of Victoria. Ms. George holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and an Associate Degree from Capilano College.

BC’s Aboriginal Member-At-Large
Term Ends December 2025

Darwin Hanna is a founding partner of Callison & Hanna Law. His legal work focuses on specific land claims, self-government, community development and NWT land claim. He was lead counsel for various precedent setting specific claims, including Siska Indian Band v. HMTQ, 2018 SCTC 2, Akisq'nuk First Nation v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2020, and Siska Indian Band v HMTQ, 2021 SCTC 2. He has been counsel on 10 specific claim settlement agreements. For the last 21 years, Darwin has taught First Nations and Economic Development as an Adjunct Professor at UBC’s Allard School of Law, and he recently updated the 2nd edition of Legal Issues on Indigenous Economic Development published by LexisNexis. He was the recipient of the GNWT Premier’s Award for collaboration on the Wildlife Act. In 2016, Callison & Hanna was awarded the BC Aboriginal Business Award which recognizes entrepreneurial excellence in diverse and unique industries with British Columbia. He is a director of the piyeʔwiʔx kt Language Foundation Society. The Society hosts regular language classes, develops curriculum, and hosts the Nlakapamuxcheen site on FirstVoices. Darwin is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation from the community of Lytton.

NVIT’s 5 Founding Communities
Term Ends December 2025

I was born and raised in Quilchena I.R.#1 - Upper Nicola Band. I have served my people for a number of years on Band Council. Spent a large part of my work life engaged in employment and training program delivery for the First Nations communities in the Nicola, Lytton and Lillooet territories. Learned a lot from my Directorship role with BC Assembly of First Nations by involving myself in Regional political issues and nationally with the Assembly of First Nations. My Directorship role with the B.C. Housing Corporation allowed me to advise and develop housing policy and implementation of housing plans in all sectors throughout the Province of B.C. In my Chieftain role with my community, guided our teams on a major pipeline project to ensure our issues had the opportunity to be heard and resolved. We also started involving ourselves in dealing with the climate crisis by engaging in carbon reduction initiatives. As a residential school survivor, I asked for help and to this day participate and get professional guidance. My family is my reason for living and always wanting to do more to ensure their quality of life is enhanced.

BC Aboriginal Member-At-Large
Term Ends December 2025

Denise is a visionary who centers connection, passion and service in her approach to being a thought leader, governor, advisor, entrepreneur and ally. She is a well-known leader and speaker nationally and internationally on leadership, technology, innovation and the importance of Indigenous ways of knowing in the design of humanity's shared future.

She is most recognized as the long-time CEO of the First Nations Technology Council. During her time at FNTC she became an influential voice in centering First Nations peoples in decision making on matters related to technology and innovation and became a sought-after advisor, governor and facilitator in those spaces and beyond.