Board

Carla George

(Kwitelut i Kwelaw'ikw)

Board Chair

Carla George, Kwitelut i Kwelaw’ikw, Xa’nusa’mega, is a Skwxwu7mesh and Kwakiutl woman. She has lived and mostly worked with her Skwxwu7mesh community for many years working with children, youth, elders and then the political realm. She is grateful for all the teachings of her language and culture from many mentors along her journey. Kwitelut is a proud daughter, wife, mother, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend to many people in her life who’s she met along her work, education and life journey. 

Rena Soutar

Board Member

Rena Soutar is of Haida descent and is the Manager of Decolonization, Arts and Culture for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. She has led the precedent-setting project of the Stanley Park Comprehensive Plan, in collaboration with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Band governments. This includes creating tools for collaboration and communication which have been established as standard procedures at the City of Vancouver and, at the request of the Nations, other crown corporations and governments. With over 12 years of Indigenous intergovernmental relations experience, Rena is an industry leader in building respectful and mutually beneficial relationships.

Addie Pryce

Board Member

Addie Pryce is from the Nisga’a Nation of Gingolx, on the north coast of British Columbia. Throughout her career, Addie has been committed to the health and well-being of all Indigenousl people and communities. Addie has held leadership roles within B.C. and Ontario, including working with the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada (formerly Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development), the First Nations Information Governance Centre and as the Director of the Health Sector for the Assembly of First Nations, where she advocated for First Nations’ health and well-being.

In her role as Vice President, Aboriginal Partnerships for the Interior Health Authority, Addie is committed to the health and well-being of all Aboriginal people and communities in the Interior region. She fosters relationships with First Nations and Métis partners and organizations, and provides executive leadership to IH’s work in cultural safety and humility.

Jamie Sterritt

(Wii’nagim’tsiwnget)

Board Member

William James (Jamie) Sterritt is a member of the Lax Gibuu (Wolf Clan) of the Gitxsan Nation. His traditional name is Wii’nagim’tsiwnget.

Previously, Mr. Sterritt was Information Technology Manager for Gitxsan Government Commission and served as the First Nations liaison for an environmental consulting firm based in Vancouver. In 2005, he launched Sa’hetxw Consulting, where he has planned and delivered a wide range of successful projects for his clients. Jamie brings a unique blend of expertise and experience as a seasoned Indigenous Governance consultant and facilitator working with Indigenous communities and organizations throughout B.C. and Manitoba.

Active in his community, Jamie served on the Board of Governors of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and is currently a director on the Justice Institute of BC and Creative BC boards.

Lynn Kenoras-Duck Chief

Board Member

Lynn has served as Chief of the Adams Lake Indian Band since 2021 and as a band councillor since 2006. 

She is committed to her community and has served with the Assembly of First Nations (National and BC), Union of BC Indian Chiefs, BC First Nations Leadership Council, Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, B.C. Native Women’s Association, Native Women’s Association of Canada, and BC College of Social Workers Indigenous Committee. 

Lynn works as a family counsellor, providing holistic counselling and advocating for Aboriginal students and families and previously served as wellness director for Nesconlith Indian Band.

Julia Iwama

Government Seat

Julia Iwama is Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Legislation with the Province of British Columbia. She brings extensive executive leadership experience across government, including senior roles in emergency management, climate readiness and natural resource policy. Julia has led organizations through periods of change, supporting the development of new policy frameworks, legislative and regulatory reform, and collaborative approaches to complex public issues. Julia holds a Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia. Earlier in her career, she worked internationally with the Red Cross Movement and the United Nations in national systems development and peacebuilding in -post disaster- and conflict settings across Asia and East Africa. Julia is of Okinawan and English heritage and was raised on the territories of the Coast Salish peoples. She now lives and works on the territories of the Lekwungen peoples, the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.