Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir
"Golden Day Woman"
Tk'emlups te Secwepe'mc
It is with great pleasure to be acclaimed a BCAFN Board of Directors for this 3-year term 2020-2023. I am honored to be serving Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc as their Kukpi7/Chief. I belong to one of the 17 campfires within Secwepemcúl̓ecw and am an active advocate in promoting healthy lifestyles dedicated to celebrating who we are and advancing our communities initiatives for collective benefit. I am a strong confident woman leading by example.
I have extensive political experience at the community, municipality, provincial and the federal level to advance community driven initiatives. We must all act as ambassadors to promoting awareness within every level of government through better communication, building on shared values, and creating and establishing better relationships. Looking forward to what the future holds and embracing this valuable experience to be part of the BCAFN team to enhance my skillsets and for me to share knowledge that I have gained along the way from my passion to be lead.
I look forward to being a Board of Director and providing good governance, leadership, and to work and learn from the Regional Chief and the leadership technical team of the BCAFN.
Professional and Academic Achievements:
- Currently Kukpi7/Chief, previously Elected three (3) terms, nine (9) years as Councillor for TteS
- Ethics Committee by UBCIC
- A Previous Thompson Rivers University Foundation Board Member, two (2) years, volunteer
- Certificate and a Diploma in Business Administration, Okanagan University
- Certificates in Negotiation Skills Training, Banff Leadership Development Center
- Certificate for On Reserve Matrimonial Real Property Training
- Three (3) Business Excellence and First Nation’s Women in Business Awards as a Wrap Artist, WrapZone
- Graduate of the Home Support and Long-Term Care Aide Program
- Choices Leadership Training
- Cultural Secwepemc Songs and Dances
- Housing Manager, The Kekuli Center, for Youth at Risk
- Seven Generations Institute for Training and Development
- Volunteered at Armstrong Community Center completing supports for all employment readiness initiatives and office activities
- Recipient of a 2001 International Year of Volunteers Certificate from Canada Revenue Agency as a Canadian Volunteer from Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada
Volunteer in the World Fusion of Wearable Art Fashion Show 2017 as a model to raise money and awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, hosted in Tḱemlúps te Secwepemc.
As Kukpi7/Chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc, I lift my hands up and acknowledge all predecessors and look forward to contributing to the Board. For me, this will be an incredibly valuable experience to be part of the BCAFN team.
Chief Maureen Luggi
Wet'suwet'en First Nation
Maureen Luggi is a Mother, Grandmother, and an experienced elected Indigenous leader. She is of the Bear Clan (Gitdemdehn) and a member of the House of Spoxh. She is of Gitxsan, Wet’suwet’en & Stellat’en ancestry . She is from Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Burns Lake, BC & was elected Chief of her community from 1987-2007. She was elected again in May 2019 and May 2022, based on a three-year term of office.
Maureen is enrolled in Indigenous Business Leadership, Executive MBA, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University. Her other educational accomplishments include Indigenous-focussed oriented therapy, a Certificate in Public Relations, a Certificate in Administration of Aboriginal Governments, a Certificate in Conflict Resolution & First Nations negotiation skills, certification in Expanded Emotional Intelligence and the Art and Science of Coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner & Master Practitioner.
Maureen is a community-minded Indigenous leader with over 35 years of experience working with Indigenous & non-Indigenous communities, companies, and non-profit organizations. Her strengths include communications, governance, finance, administration, and community development.
Maureen loves learning, reading, writing, Sun Run leadership, and Compassionate Inquiry with Dr. Gabor Mate. She enjoys spending time nurturing her Bengal Cat!
Brian Assu
We Wai Kai Nation
Brian Assu Sr. previously served as an elected board member of the BC Assembly of First Nations. He served as an elected Chief of the We Wai Kai Nation for 5 years and as an elected Councillor for 30 years. During his time as Chief of the We Wai Kai Nation, the Nation grew and became fully integrated into regional economy and progressively brought law making authority and governance home to the Nation’s membership.
Brian has served on numerous Boards and Commissions throughout his career including 23 years on the Fraser Panel, 5 of which he served as the appointed Canadian Commissioner on the Pacific Salmon Commission. He was appointed to BC Hydro’s Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program in 2002 and served as Chair for 15 years. He has Chaired the very progressive A-Tlegay Fisheries Society since 1999 and was on the Laich-Kwil-Tach Treaty Society from 1996 until 2021.
Brian believes that strong Nations are created at home; however, there is an important role for organizations like the BCAFN to make sure the tide lifts all boats.
On a personal level, Brian remains an active commercial fisher with the Mary Isle, a seine boat he presently co-owns with his three brothers, and formerly with his own seine boat the Western Brave which he sold in 2020 which was an Area 13 contract test fishing vessel since 1995. He is an avid foodie and along with his wife owns a Private Chef Catering Service, primarily indigenous staffed, serving fine dining meals to residents of Campbell River and various parts of Vancouver Island. He grew up in the Cape Mudge village on Quadra Island and now resides in Campbell River with his wife of 8 years and is an actively involved loving father to their 3 young children.
Chief Lynda Price, B.A., J.D.
Ulkatcho First Nation
Chief Lynda Price is a member of the Ulkatcho First Nation located at Nagwuntl’oo (Anahim Lake) with Nuxalk and Dakelh Carrier ancestry. Her late great grandfather was Chief Domas Squinas who was Nuxalk from Stuie and Nagwuntl’oo. She was recently re-elected on June 22, 2021, as Chief of UFN. Chief Price served in her community as Chief from 2005-2009, 2019-2021, and is currently serving her fourth term 2021-2023.
Chief Price has a BA degree in First Nation studies with a minor in Political Science from UNBC. She also received her Juris Doctor of Law Degree from TRU in 2015. She has many years of experience serving on boards including the following:
UFN Chief, UFN Band Council, Union of BC Indian Chiefs Executive Council (first woman elected in history of UBCIC), Member of BC FN Leadership Council, SD #27 School Trustee (Cariboo-Chilcotin), Board of Governors University of Northern BC, Director of Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training and Education Centre, Director FN Schools Association, President West Chilcotin Forest Products Ltd., Director Yunka Whu’ten Forest Products, Director Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Council, Founding Director BC First Nations Forestry Council, Province of BC Minister of Forest Task Group, Director Nenqayni Wellness Centre Society.
Chief Price is honoured to serve on the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) Board of Directors and work as a team on strategic priorities and objectives. There are many important matters facing Indigenous communities in BC on several fronts. She looks forward to working with the BCAFN Regional Chief and representatives to support the BCAFN members’ direction and priorities and uphold the BC AFN Bylaws and regulations.
Chief Jerry Jack
Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation
Chief Jerry Jack is Klakwagiila and comes from the House of Tsee-sah-aht. He is a Hereditary Chief from Mowachaht/Muchlaht First Nation (MMFN). Chief Jack has over 40 years of experiences in working on First Nations issues including justice, policing, governance, fisheries and environmental management.
Chief Jack was born on Vancouver Island, and served 21 years of police service with the RCMP. He also served with the Quinalt Tribal Police and Makah Tribal police in Washington State. In 2000, his late dad (Jerry Jack) held a 2-day potlatch and gave him his Chieftainship. When Jerry Jack, Sr. passed in 2006, hisuncle, Ben Jack acted as Chief Councillor at MMFN in his political seat. Five years ago, Chief Jack reclaimed his political roll with MMFN and supports his people to defend their rights and title, under their hereditary system and under the Indian Act.
Chief Jack has been involved with various political organizations including the BCAFN, UBCIC and First Nations Summit; his nation is also part of the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council which is active in protecting the nation’s forestry, fisheries and marine resources. In addition, he has worked with the First Nations Health Council and FNHA throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Jack brings valuable insight to the BCAFN Board and Regional Chief on issues surrounding fisheries, policing, forestry and governance. Specifically, he’s very familiar with the marine spill response having acted as the lead for MMFN in Nootka Sound when a 60 year old vessel began leaking oil – he worked on the ground in collaboration with community members, DFO and the Coast Guard to ensure the environment, and First Nations’ rights and responsibilities were respected, protected and supported. He lives in Gold River and can often be found in Campbell River, Nanaimo, or Friendly Cove on the west coast monitoring territorial waters.