ABORIGINAL YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INTERNS

ELAINE ALEC

Elaine Alec is from the Penticton Indian Band and represents the Okanagan and Shuswap (Shu-swap) Nations.
Elaine was placed with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and conducted interviews with Aboriginal youth transitioning out of care.
She produced a report called “Honouring the Journey of Our Youth.”
She then moved on to work with the Aboriginal Peoples Family Accord where she co-ordinated a regional Elder and Youth Gathering to bring culture forward in work with children and families.
Her future plans will take her anywhere that involves strengthening and empowering Aboriginal people and advocating elder and youth voices.

AYLA (Eye-la) BROWN

Ayla (Eye-la) Brown is a member of the Heiltsuk (Helsic) and Nuu-chah-nulth (Noo-chah-noolth) Nations.
She was placed with the Ministry of Children and Family Development where she focused on youth engagement.
She then moved on to work with the QQS (eyes) Projects Society where she had the opportunity to reconnect with her culture and a new generation of Heiltsuk (Helsic) young people.
She is looking forward to new opportunities ahead.

CARLY CUNNINGHAM

Carly Cunningham is Cree-Métis.
Through marriage, she is also a member of the Huu-ay -aht (Ooh-ay-at) First Nations, where she is known as Assawis.
During her placement at the Ministry of Community Services, Carly worked on the violence prevention portfolio.
She continued to work on violence prevention with the Métis Women of BC, where she assisted in the planning and coordination of the Sihtoskatowin (satoskatowan) Symposium, a three-day violence prevention conference focused on preventing violence in Métis families and communities.
Carly’s future plans are to continue to do meaningful work related to closing the socio-economic gaps between Indigenous peoples and other British Columbians. She is aspiring to attend law school and would like to start a family in the near future.

NATASHA FOUNTAIN

Natasha Fountain is from the Nlaka'pumax (Nick-Kluck-mix) Nation.
For the Ministry of Environment, she created a Cultural Heritage Value Framework and a training program to assist park rangers in identifying aboriginal cultural values on the landscape.
Natasha continued protecting and conserving cultural values, but more from an archaeological perspective, in the aboriginal organization, the Chehalis Indian Band in the Aboriginal Rights and Title Department.
Natasha's future looks bright with promise. As where she’ll be in the near future, she only expects greatness.

SARA-LYNN JOHNSON

Sara-Lynn Johnson is from the Esketemc (Es-ket-em) First Nation.
While with the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, Sara-Lynn completed the Aboriginal Awareness & Diversity Training project, which was delivered to 110 participants.
Then at the Aboriginal Business Development Centre, Sara-Lynn assisted with funding proposals, conducted research in the area of Aboriginal Recruitment & Retention strategies, and co-ordinated the “Healing Our Elders Camp” set for Oct. 3-5, 2008 in Prince George.
Sara-Lynn plans to take online courses to complete her bachelor’s degree in psychology while she continues to work full-time in the North Region for the betterment and success of northern Aboriginal people and their communities.

MATTHEW LOUIE

Kwut hwum qun (Kwut hum cun) Matthew Louie is from the Cowichan Tribes.
During his placement with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation he worked with the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective.
Louie has also worked on climate change initiatives, a literacy project, and the 2008 Honour Your Health Challenge.
While with Aboriginal Tourism BC he developed a Youth Engagement Strategy and initiated a partnership with Safe Harbours.
Matthew plans to continue volunteering as a director on the boards of the Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association (KAYA) and Redwire Magazine. He plans to obtain a degree in communication and marketing.

THERESA MORRIS

Theresa Morris is from the Wet'suwet'en (Wet-sew-et-en) & T'lazten (Tl-az-din) First Nations.
Theresa worked on a major policy paper exploring how principles of restorative justice could be applied in compliance issues in the Ministry of Environment, and then continued on to work with Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation on a number of cultural, economic, and policy initiatives.
Theresa will be spending her next year in Africa with the Canada World Youth Program, before returning to complete her degree in International Relations and Political Science.

ELLEN NEWMAN

Ellen Newman is from the Kwagiulth and Haida Nations.
While at the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Ellen worked on the South Island Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health teams and the Adoption Services team.
At the Vancouver Island Node for Aboriginal Health Research BC, Ellen assisted in various areas on ethics in Aboriginal health research such as helping to organize workshops and gather data on Aboriginal research ethics and protocols.
Ellen plans on finishing up her bachelor of social work degree while looking for related work.

THERESA POINT

Theresa Point is from the Sto:lo (Stow-low) Nation.
She completed her internship with the Ministry of Children and Family Development where she worked on Youth Engagement Strategies and organized youth conferences to facilitate youth involvement.
She continued her youth engagement work with KAYA, Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association in Vancouver.

JOSE ROBINSON

Jose Robinson is from Ahousaht (A-house-aat)
Jose participated in various small business programs for the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue.
While at the First Nations Forestry Council, Jose worked on a housing and forest products program.
Jose is continuing his work with the First Nations Forestry Council.

MARIE SANDY

Marie Sandy is a member of the Shuswap (Shu-swap) Nation.
During her stay at the, then, Ministry of Advanced Education, she worked on the 4th Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Forum; the BC First Nations Language Matrix; and the Aboriginal Post Secondary Education Programs & Services Inventory.
Her work with the Tsilhqot'in (Chil-co-tin) National Government includes the co-coordination of the annual Siwash Gathering; working with the Stewardship Dept on Bioenergy Project/Tsilhqot'in Power Corporation; and, organizing/co-ordinating staff and leadership retreats for TNG.
Matie’s future plans include learning and becoming fluent in her own Language, Shuswap (Shoe-swap), to one day teach the youth in her community the language.

DON TOM

Don Tom is from Coast Salish and Nuu-Chan'Nulth (Noo-chah-noolth).
While at the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Don attended the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Youth Summit where hundreds of young aboriginal people developed a five year (AFN) action plan.
While at the Vancouver Island Aboriginal Transition Team, Don attended the Chiefs’ forum in Campbell River where the focus was children and youth in care.
Don plans to pursue a communications management degree from Royal Roads.

TRESLEY TOUROND-BOUVIER

Tresley Tourond-Bouvier is from the Métis Nation and is in the last week of her four-year term as Métis Nation BC Minister Responsible for Youth.
Tresley spent her ministry placement in the Ministry of Health with the Nursing Directorate where she developed and completed the Nursing Recruitment Strategy – Providing a Path for Aboriginal Youth.
Her Aboriginal organization placement was spent at Métis Nation BC as a Health Policy Analyst, where she assisted with the development of a Five Year Workplan.
Tresley will return to Simon Fraser University as a part-time student while continuing her work as Health Policy Analyst for Métis Nation BC.

CARRIELYNN VICTOR

Carrielynn Victor (traditional name Xomontalot), half Coast Salish, and half third generation colonialist Scottish, belongs to the Cheam (Chee-am) first nation in Stahlo Territory.
One of Carrielynn's major highlights while working for the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands in Courtenay was the strength she built to stand alone and hold to her beliefs and values.
While working at the Stahlo (Stah-low)Tribal Council, Carrielynn has been discovering that her goals for working towards the protection and preservation of traditional lands and territories, aligns with the intentions of her spirit.
Carrielynn's future plans include assisting in the creation and maintenance of a land and resource management plan for Stahlo people, as well as her plans to carry on making music, performing, painting and working for her people.

KRISTA WILSON

Krista Wilson, whose traditional name is Wapa'asac (Morningstar) is a proud member of the Gitxsan (Git-san) (Gitanmaax) and Cree (Peguis) nations.
She belongs to Wilp's Guutginuuxws (Wilps Googutginoohah), Wilnatahl's Anda'ap (Willnawtall awndawnop) and a member of the Gisgaast (Geesgawst).
Krista worked on various youth engagement strategies and conferences for the Ministry of Children and Family Development in Prince George, and then returned to Vancouver to work with Healing Our Spirit Aboriginal HIV/AIDS society.

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Media contact:	Richard Chambers Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development 250 952-6508 250 361-7241 (cell)

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