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Meet Our Team

FSI Board of Directors

The Board makes decisions on the policy and direction of the Family Support Institute (FSI). Most board members are family members of people with disabilities. Some of our board members are also Resource Parents/Peers.

Executive
Ellen Tarshis

Ellen Tarshis
President

Region: Island

Came on FSI board:
June 9, 2023

Ellen lives in Victoria and is the former Executive Director of Community Living Victoria, with over 40 years’ experience. Ellen has lived experience through her brother. Her parents were pioneers in the community living movement. She believes in the power of families and is pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to FSI.

Ellen is honoured to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lekwungen People, who are now known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.

Jane Holland
Vice-President

Region: Vancouver Coastal

Came on FSI board:
April 28, 2021

In addition to lived experience as a parent, Jane has over 25 years of professional experience in family and individual support and advocacy, including 18 years at the Management and Executive Director level. Jane has a rich and varied history with FSI as a staff member and volunteer, and she has a strong belief in the Mission, Vision, values, and philosophy of FSI.

Jane is grateful to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (iMusqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations

Adam Gartland
Treasurer

Region: Vancouver Coastal

Came on FSI board:
April 28, 2021

Adam is honoured to serve on the FSI Board, supporting families in BC. Adam lives in Vancouver with his wife and young daughter. He currently works for an investment management company and has a background in finance, having spent five years at the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI). It was during his time at BACI that Adam developed a strong commitment to supporting families and individuals with disabilities.

Adam lives with gratitude on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish,xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (iMusqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations

Directors
Cathy Anthony

Cathy Anthony

Region: Vancouver Coastal

Came on FSI board:
June 9, 2023

Cathy feels blessed with two remarkable adult children, and it was through her son Joshua, that she became involved with the Family Support Institute (FSI) over 30 years ago. Over her years with FSI she has volunteered as a Resource Parent, served on the Board as both a Director and past Chair, for a short period was the Executive Director, and has chaired the Historian Committee. She calls FSI her “chosen family” and is deeply grateful for her years of connection to so many caring and visionary people. Cathy has also been involved with PLAN since the mid 90’s and volunteered on the Board, as well as with the Board of Plan Institute. Cathy also works for a Community Living agency for the last 30 years. Her passion and deep values are for a world where diversity is truly celebrated, and everyone is circled with the love of family and caring friends. She also loves to travel and learn from people wherever she goes.

Cathy is honoured to live on the ancestral, traditional and unceded land of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation.

Bonnie Fallowfield

Region: North

Came on FSI board:
March 31, 2023

Bonnie worked as an Education Assistant for 26 years. She then became a Regional Network Coordinator (RNC) for FSI, covering the Northeast region, for an additional 3 years before retiring. Bonnie has been on many local and provincial boards and committees over the years. She is now still volunteering as a FSI Resource Parent (RP), serves on FSI’s Board, and currently sits on the National Consortium on Aggression Towards Family and Caregivers in Childhood and Adolescence (AFCCA). Bonnie uses trauma-sensitive practice and mindfulness in all life aspects. Her beautiful son Nolan gifted her with this journey she has been on for the past 35+ years.

Bonnie is grateful to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the L’htako Dene Nation, also known as Quesnel

Nicole Kaler

Region: Fraser Valley

Came on FSI board:
May 23, 2024

Nicole is the parent of three adult children, one who is non-speaking Autistic. She has dedicated the past 15 years to community organizing for accessible education, motivated by the desire for an inclusive experience for her eldest child in public school in Surrey, BC. She engages in this work with a humility about rights and privileges, understanding her position as a settler on the unceded and stolen territories of the Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, Katzie and Tsawwassen nations. Nicole’s volunteerism has meant positions such as Surrey District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) president, Resource Parent (RP) with FSI, and she is currently the President of BCEdAccess Society.

Nicole lives and works on the stolen traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Kwantlen, Tsawwassen and Katzie people. I have benefitted, and continue to benefit from the forced removal of Indigenous people from their ancestral territory in Canada and the rest of Turtle Island.

David

David Paynter

Region: Interior

Came on FSI board:
October 27, 2018

David currently lives in West Kelowna with his wife, Laurie. Their daughter and her family live close by, as does their son, who lives in his own home with a live-in caregiver. Their son has a unique living arrangement in that he has lived in his own home (owned by his family) since 2018, enjoying a life full of community and family involvement. David says “We would not have been able to accomplish so much for our son without the support of FSI, Vela, PLAN [Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network], and CLBC [Community Living BC].”

David comes with an extensive history of skills and knowledge. He served the community by volunteering on the board of Pathways, his local Association for Community Living (ACL), for 29 years, and PLAN Okanagan since 2006. He served two terms on the board of Vela and one term on the board of BCACL, now known as Inclusion BC. He and his wife Laurie have been with FSI since 1994. David is self-employed in farming and construction and is working on being semi-retired now.

David and Laurie believe in the abilities of families to understand and help each other through shared experience. They have really appreciated the support and training from FSI over the years.

David is grateful to live and work on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx First Nations.

Linda Perry

Region: Fraser Valley

Came on FSI board:
March 31, 2023

Linda is the proud mother of five adult children, several of whom have diversabilities, and proud grandmother of three. Linda was the Executive Director of Vela for 32+ years where she developed the first Microboards in BC starting in 1990. She also played a part in the rollout of the Individualized Funding (IF) option in BC. Currently, Linda is working on a project for Vela creating Human Resources and Administration Supports for Microboards, Individualized Funding Agents, and Person Centred Societies.

As a volunteer, Linda has been involved with a number of other societies. She has been a board member of the Family Focus Society, the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, and TASH. She is currently part of the screening panel for presentations at the Zero Project, an international organization that supports innovations in supports and services for people with disabilities from around the world. Linda also sat for years on the Prime Minister’s National Volunteer Awards Counsel. Most recently she was surprised and honoured to receive the Order of Canada.

Linda enjoys her time with FSI. It has been a time of great connections and mutual support!

Linda is grateful to live on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Musqueam, and Semiahmoo peoples.

Izabelle Stevens

Region: Vancouver Coastal

Came on FSI board:
April 9, 2022

Izabelle is an autistic neurodiversity advocate and certified Social Support Worker. Her strong sense of justice and passion for the betterment of services and treatment for the disabled and neurodivergent community has led her to become the Youth Representative on the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s (MCFD) Minister’s Advisory Council for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN MAC); she is also a Board Member for FSI and Autism Community Training (ACT). Izabelle uses her lived experience to advocate within her community on the Sunshine Coast and is also a member of the SD46 Accessibility Committee.

Izabelle lives with gratitude on the traditional and unceded territory of the Shíshálh Nation.

Ping Wang

Region: Interior

Came on FSI board:
May 23, 2024

Ping holds a master’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science, along with a second master’s degree in Development Studies from Sophia University, Tokyo. Her professional journey began in corporate banking and later transitioned into private banking. Having lived in China, Japan, the UK, Australia, and Singapore before settling in Canada in 2010, Ping possesses a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Fluent in Chinese, Japanese and English, Ping’s linguistic versatility enhances her connections within diverse communities.

Ping left her career to care for her son who grapples with complex medical and developmental challenges. She is deeply dedicated to her family, balancing homeschooling, as well as the training and management of caregivers. Ping also extends her financial expertise and support to fellow parents, embodying a spirit of empathy and community contribution.

Ping is honoured to live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sylix First Nation peoples.

Lori Woods

Region: Fraser Valley

Came on FSI board:
December 3, 2018

Lori is a parent of two grown children, one of whom is neurodivergent. Lori is also a retired post-secondary educator of practitioners who support the education, well-being and citizenship of children, youth and adults who have disabilities. She has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a master’s degree in Education. Lori firmly believes in the phrase ‘diversity makes us stronger,’ and has a 30-year history of volunteering at local, regional, and provincial levels.

Lori is grateful to live on the traditional, unceded territory of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples.

Dave Seaweed

Region: Vancouver Coastal

Came on FSI board:
July 12, 2024

Dave was born and raised in East Vancouver. His Great Grandfather was from Blunden Harbour, and his Grandfather and Father were from Port Hardy, Alert Bay. He belongs to the Kwakiutl Nation.

Most of his educational and professional life was spent with Douglas College. His first credential was a Diploma in Arts, followed by a Sports Science Diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. He was an athlete and a coach as well as the President of both the Student Union and the Alumni Association. When in the office of the VP, he played a big role in establishing both the Student Union building as well as the Aboriginal Gathering Place. As their Indigenous Coordinator for 23 years, he has taught many guest lectures in a variety of faculties and subjects. He is honoured to have a Scholarship named after him at Douglas College – the Dave Seaweed Award of Distinction, awarded to Indigenous Athletes in the College.

In addition to all of this, Dave was an elected member of the Board of Directors for the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) from 2015 to 2023. He was also one of 4 elected Executives of the BC Indigenous Post-Secondary Coordinators Council (BC IPSC), as the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley Rep working with the Ministry of Advanced Education for the last 9 years. He was an Advisory member for the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) as well as an Indigenous Advisory member for School District 40 (SD40) in New Westminster from 2004 to 2023. Dave was recently recruited as a member of the New Westminster City Council Community Advisory Assembly as well as FSI’s IAC.

Dave is honoured to live and work on Qayqayt First Nation’s Territory on the unceded Traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples.

Staff Team
Angela Clancy
Angela Clancy

Executive Director
604-540-8374 ext. 6

Mazy Tolentino
Mazy Tolentino​

Director of Finance and Administration
604-540-8374

Patti Mertz
Patti Mertz​

Director of Operations
604-540-8374 ext. 7

Laranna Scott
Laranna Scott

Indigenous Practice Advisor
604-540-8374 ext. 8

Lisa Butt
Lisa Butt

Office Manager 
604-540-8374 ext. 1

Nancy Chan

Office Manager
(on leave)

Karen Speijer

Team Lead, Transition and Adult Family Supports
604-540-8374

Robyn Kendurkar

Team Lead, Early Years  and Children’s Family Supports; Newsletter Editor
604-540-8374

Linnette Gratton

Provincial Engagement Lead
604-540-8374 ext. 9

Meilani Johnson

Communications Specialist

Penny Lopez

Family Support Coordinator
(NACL Liaison)
604-540-8374 ext. 4

Lindsay Thompson

Family Support Coordinator
604-540-8374 ext. 5

Lama Alsaafin

Family Support Coordinator
604-540-8374 ext. 2

Joe Liang

Technology Support
604-540-8374

Miranda Hersco

Online Resource Coordinator

Heather Beach

Regional Network Coordinator

Cari Rawling
Regional Network Coordinator
Esther King

Regional Network Coordinator

Tyra Skibington

Regional Network Coordinator

Anne Taylor

Regional Network Coordinator

Indigenous Advisory Circle

The Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) makes recommendations related to training, Indigenizing our organization, and ensuring that our work remains culturally safe, trauma-informed, and accessible to all. All IAC members have a connection to disability, such as through personal lived experience, supporting a family member with disabilities, or via their current employment. 

Click on each member’s name to read their bio.

Angela Clancy
Laranna Scott
Patti Mertz
Diana Elliott
Jean Lloyd
Duane Jackson
Katie Pearson
Dave Seaweed
Rona Sterling-
Collins
Sheila Grieve
Alyssa Crees
Jennie Roberts
Dixie Hunt-Scott
Sarah Russ
Contact Our Team
FSI Support
FSI Executive Director
FSI Training & Events
FSI Board

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227 6th Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 3A5

(604) 540-8374 ext. 523

Support Line:
1-800-441-5403

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As a provincial organization FSI acknowledges that our work spans across all of the traditional, ancestral, and unceded Indigenous territories in BC. Therefore, we respectfully honour all First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, as well as their ancestors, who have lived here and cared for these lands. It is with gratitude that we can live, learn and do our work in the province now known as British Columbia.

©2024 Family Support Institute  |  Privacy Policy  |  Registered Charity Number: 105629497RR0001. We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.

Angela Clancy
Angela Clancy   
FSI Executive Director 

Angela Clancy has been the Executive Director of the Family Support Institute (FSI) for 25 years. In her role at FSI, she has been able to maximize her long history of experience and education with families who face the extraordinary challenges that come with having a family member with a disability.

Angela has been personally and professionally inspired by growing up with her brother, Alan, who requires ongoing supports throughout his life due to disability challenges. Angela’s education and life experience have led her to form a strong value system that is based on equal rights, equal opportunities, and community inclusion for all people. She brings skills in ethical practice, policy development, non-profit management, human resources, trauma-informed practice, cultural competency and intelligence, strategic planning, fiscal management, child development, family support, and Advocacy.

Angela has 3 daughters who have all individually taught her lessons about herself, her dedication to family, and how to maximize each opportunity in your life for what it has to offer you; to cherish every minute and every experience.

Laranna Scott
Laranna Scott     
FSI Indigenous Practice Advisor; FSI Resource Parent 

Laranna Scott lives with gratitude on the shared traditional territory known as the Boundary, where she honours and acknowledges all the Indigenous peoples and ancestors who lived there and cared for the lands in Grand Forks, BC. Laranna has Danish and Métis ancestry from her mother’s side and Russian ancestry from her father’s side. Laranna’s grandfather, Métis Elder Thomas Taylor, was a direct descendent of Ambroise Lepine, and the one to encourage Laranna to embrace her Métis roots while she was still in high school when he helped to form the Boundary Metis Community Association. As a result, Laranna acted as the first Youth Representative for both the Boundary Métis Community Association as well as for the Boundary Indigenous Education Advisory Council. 

Laranna holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education from the College of the Rockies and diplomas in Special Needs Education and Infant-Toddler Education, culminating in a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of the Fraser Valley. She is the proud mother of her daughter Trinity and a firm advocate for and believer in the power of early intervention. In 2017, Laranna was awarded the BCACCS Aboriginal Child Care Recognition Award, which honours Early Childhood Educators acting as exceptional role models. 

Laranna has been a part of the Aboriginal Steering Committee (ASC) at UBC’s Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) since the Fall of 2014 because of her passion to support the health and well-being of children and families across the province. She believes that children are a gift from Creator and shares in HELP’s vision of “all children thriving in healthy societies.” Laranna has worked in a variety of capacities for nearly 25 years in the child and youth care field and helped establish an Aboriginal Head Start Child Care program in the Boundary. She was also the Early Learning and Child Care Engagement Manager for Métis Nation BC’s Ministry of Education. 

In Laranna’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, friends, Elders and extended family. She also loves travelling and being out in nature hiking, mountain biking, and scuba diving. Since 2019, Laranna has been a volunteer Resource Parent with FSI and now serves as FSI’s first Indigenous Practice Advisor. 

Patti Mertz
Patti Mertz
Director of Operations (FSIBC)

Patti Mertz has extensive experience in senior leadership and is known for her ability to build and align organizational policies, procedures, and culture with strategic objectives. As Director of Operations at the Family Support Institute of BC, she oversees the pan-provincial workforce which includes 200 volunteer peer mentors, supporting families of children with disabilities. Her role includes data analysis, workforce development, program strategy, communications, and CARF compliance. Patti is a member of Race & Disability Canada – IDEA Practitioners and Professionals Network, and is passionate about integrating the principles of cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion into the organization’s work. She collaborates closely with FSI’s Indigenous Practice Advisor to support commitments to Truth & Reconciliation and anti-racism. 

Diana Elliott, IAC Member
Diana Elliott
Elder

Diana Elliott is retired from 33+ years working in Indigenous Early Childhood Development and Family Support Programs.  Diana is Coast Salish from Cowichan Tribes in Duncan B.C and has equal roots in the Nuu Chah Nulth Territory from the Hupačasath First Nation in Port Alberni. She spent almost 20 years of her career as the Provincial Advisor to 57 Aboriginal Infant Development Programs (AIDP) throughout BC on reserve and in urban communities. Her passion has been to support families to raise their children through early learning in loving and nurturing homes. She will continue to be a champion for Indigenous children and be a support and ally to the programs that support them. 

Jean Lloyd
Elder

Jean is the provincial Elder on the Minister’s Advisory Council for Children & Youth with Support Needs (CYSN MAC) in BC, joining us from Christina Lake. She is the proud mother of two sons, seven grandchildren, four step grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Jean appreciates the gifts in everyone and is honoured to have a grandchild with Down syndrome as well as an adopted grandchild with complex support needs and a great grandchild on the autism spectrum.  

For a lot of her life, Jean was unaware of her Indigenous roots. Her contributions as a respected Elder are representative of her commitment to learning her culture, and engaging in her community. In 2021, Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) awarded Jean with the Volunteer Recognition Award for her continued community engagement, noting her mobilization efforts during the pandemic. 

As an Elder, Jean is honoured for her wealth of experience, wisdom and the deep compassion she shows for people. She is on several councils and committees where she works on projects to support children inviting them to open themselves to the natural world of Creator’s outdoors. Jean is also a self-published author of the children’s book Little Bird, which was inspired by many years of hiking in the Kootenays and a joyful rewrite of a childhood she never had. The book characterizes Jean’s appreciation for the connectedness of all living things, and the possibilities of manifesting our beliefs. 

Duane Jackson  
Knowledge Keeper

Duane Jackson is from the Gitanmaax of the Gitxsan Nation. With a background in early childhood education, he has worked with Success By 6 and Children First as well as partnered with various early childhood and health initiatives in BC. He has been a member of UBC’s Human Early Learning Partnership’s (HELP) Aboriginal Steering Committee (ASC) for the past 15 years. 

Duane has been involved with the Patient Voices Network for 8 years, being involved in many initiatives attached to patient quality improvement. He was a member of the technical committee that helped create the Cultural Safety and Humility Health Standard that is currently in BC hospitals. 

Duane is also focused on men’s health. He is founder of the Tauhx Gadx men’s program, which focuses on being a whole person. “The idea is not to look at what it means to be a ‘man’ within today’s society but rather to get an understanding of what it means to be a ‘whole person’.” 

Katie Pearson 
Parent & Auntie 

Katie is honoured to work and live on the shared unceded traditional territories of the Matsqui, Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo and Tsawassen First Nations. She is Coast Salish from the shíshálh Nation. Her father was a residential school survivor. Her mother left him with her sister when Katie was 3. She was raised away from her people, her culture and her territory.

Katie’s cultural reclamation journey began at age 38 as a new mother. She and her daughter began attending a program called “Aboriginal Mother Goose,” a parent-led preschool program when her daughter was 2 months old. This program gave her the courage to feel safe enough to leave the house with her newborn daughter that first year. What’s more is that the program facilitator was one of the first positive Indigenous role models that she met on her journey to reclaim her culture. Indigenous representation matters. It was through that program she developed a relationship with the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (LFVAS). In 2012, she began to volunteer at their events; in 2013, she was nominated to the board of directors as their Treasurer. In 2015, she became the President of the Board, and in 2018, Katie was hired in a newly created role as CEO. In 2024 Katie resigned and now works at SFU as an Indigenous Student Life Coordinator.

Katie believes that culture saves lives and she is grateful to be on the journey to reclaim hers over the last 13 years. hay ce:p q̓ə. All my relations.

Dave Seaweed  
Knowledge Keeper

Dave was born and raised in East Vancouver. His Great Grandfather was from Blunden Harbour, and his Grandfather and Father were from Port Hardy, Alert Bay. He belongs to the Kwakiutl Nation. 

Most of his educational and professional life was spent with Douglas College. His first credential was a Diploma in Arts, followed by a Sports Science Diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. He was an athlete and a coach as well as the President of both the Student Union and the Alumni Association. When in the office of the VP, he played a big role in establishing both the Student Union building as well as the Aboriginal Gathering Place. As their Indigenous Coordinator for 23 years, he has taught many guest lectures in a variety of faculties and subjects. He is honoured to have a Scholarship named after him at Douglas College – the Dave Seaweed Award of Distinction, awarded to Indigenous Athletes in the College.  

In addition to all of this, Dave was an elected member of the Board of Directors for the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) from 2015 to 2023. He was also one of 4 elected Executives of the BC Indigenous Post-Secondary Coordinators Council (BC IPSC), as the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley Rep working with the Ministry of Advanced Education for the last 9 years. He was an Advisory member for the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) as well as an Indigenous Advisory member for School District 40 (SD40) in New Westminster from 2004 to 2023. Dave was recently recruited as a member of the New Westminster City Council Community Advisory Assembly as well as FSI’s IAC. 

Rona Sterling-Collins  
Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD); FSI Resource Parent 

Rona Sterling-Collins is Quist’letko from the Nłeʔkepmx Nation. Rona was raised on her ancestral land, Joeyaska First Nation in the Interior of British Columbia and she continues to reside there among her extended family. She is married and has two adult children and a four-year-old granddaughter. Her son Wyatt has autism, which challenged her to become an advocate for him and other Indigenous children and adults with developmental disabilities. 

She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work. In 1996, she started a Consulting Business – Rona Sterling Consulting – and works as an Indigenous Consultant across the Province of BC. Rona has had the honour of working with many Indigenous organizations and communities and championed many projects and initiatives. Her work has included training, curriculum development, strategic planning, policy development, program reviews, and various community and capacity building projects. She is currently doing more work in the Indigenous early years and disabilities field as an Aboriginal Regional Advisor for the Thompson/Shuswap/Cariboo Region. Rona has also recently taken on the Aboriginal Supported Child Development Provincial Advisor role and has been a Resource Parent with FSI since 2014. 

Rona approaches her life from a wholistic perspective and promotes this philosophy to continue to create systems of change.  She is dedicated to decolonization and Indigenization, and she holds children and families at the heart of her work.  

Sheila Grieve   
Vancouver Island University (VIU) Professor of Early Childhood Education and Care 

Sheila Grieve, ECE, BPE, BA, MAIS is grateful to the Snuneymuxw people on whose unceded traditional territory she currently learns, lives, and works. She is the daughter of the late Evelyn (Ducharme) Grieve and late William Grieve. As a member of the Métis Nation, Sheila commits to the concept of Kaa-Wiichihitoyaahk, taking care of each other. She is low vision (legally blind) and a professor of Early Childhood Education and Care at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Her research interest is land–based learning with a special focus on plants and our connections to plants; everyone has the right to thrive outside. 

Alyssa Crees
Wellbeing Coordinator, Métis Nation BC (MNBC) 

Alyssa Crees is a proud Cree/Métis woman. 

In her current role, she provides funding for families with children birth to 8 years, that have additional support needs. She funds services such as assessments, Speech & Language, Occupational Therapy and medical equipment. She also has 9 years of experience supporting children with complex trauma and developmental disabilities, as well as adults. In addition, she has recently started her post-secondary journey towards earning an Indigenous Human Service Worker certificate. 

Alyssa is grateful that she gets to be a part of this circle of support for families across the province, and to have the opportunity to lend her voice to important causes and groups, as both a citizen and a professional in the field. 

Jennie Roberts   
Provincial Indigenous Child Care Advisor 

Jennie Roberts is a mom of 10 children ranging from 12 all the way to 40 years old. She is currently the Provincial Indigenous Child Care Advisor with the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society.  

Jennie has enjoyed her experience with being an Early Childhood Educator and really loves the joy she sees in children. She enjoys the learning experiences from the children that Creator has blessed her with and hopes to bring this joy to FSI’s Indigenous Advisory Circle. 

Dixie Hunt-Scott   
Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Infant Development Program (AIDP) 

Dixie Hunt-Scott is a member of the Kwakiutl First Nation of T̕sax̱is (Fort Rupert), which is located on the northern part of Vancouver Island. She has Kwaguʼł, Ma’amtigila, Tlingit, and Scottish ancestral roots. Dixie is also married into the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. She is the mother of two children and has a Cree/Métis grandson.

Dixie completed her diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education while living in T̕sax̱is. She went on to complete a diploma in Child and Youth Care First Nations while working as an Aboriginal Infant Development Consultant for the Kwakiutl Band. After moving to the Comox Valley, Dixie completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Child and Youth Care. She also had the opportunity to participate and complete the Professional Specialization Certificate in International CYC, Indigenous Early Childhood Development at the University of Victoria.

Throughout her academic career there has been a focus on learning traditional teachings from the Elders. Many First Nations people refer to children as the “gifts from the Creator.” Dixie has been working in the field of Early Childhood Development, which has granted her the opportunity to honor those gifts by supporting Indigenous children and their families.

Dixie is the Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Infant Development Programs (AIDP) in BC. This is a new position that she started in April 2023. Twenty-five years ago, she began working with AIDP in her home community of T̕sax̱is, on Northern Vancouver Island, as a consultant. She went on to work as an Infant Development Consultant (IDC) and as an Aboriginal Early Years Consultant in the Comox Valley. While working as an IDC, Dixie was also the Vancouver Island AIDP Regional Advisor for 12 years.

Dixie has a remote office in the Comox Valley where she has the privilege and honour to live and work in the unceded traditional territories of the Pentlatch, E’iksan and K’ómoks First Nations.

Sarah Russ  
Childcare Advisor for Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC (AHSABC)

Sarah Russ is from the Ditidaht First Nation on her Maternal side, and the Skidegate First Nation on her Paternal side. She is the mother of two beautiful boys, James and Kolbi. She has a diploma in Early Childhood Education and now works with childcare programs across BC as a childcare advisor with the Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC (AHSABC).

Angela Clancy
Contact Angela Clancy
Executive Director
Contact Training and Special Events Coordinator