Tansii! My First Nations name is Victory! My English name is Colin Bird and I am a Cree man from Mistawasis Reserve in Saskatchewan. I am a father of three beautiful children two boys and one girl. I have been in the helping field for the past fifteen years. I attended the University of Saskatchewan and took the Indian Teaching Education Program. I specialize in helping families and youth learn about their culture and empowering them to walk a healthy and balanced journey. I have also been helping Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal families develop a plan to parent their children in a traditional way. I believe that children are gifts from the Creator and they’re not meant to be a possession of ownership; however, they are gifts to be shared with the world. My motto to life is to follow your heart because your dreams will come true. All my relations.

A Registered Social Worker has been working in the human services field for many years with the last ten years specifically concentrating on the foster care system for MCFD and Aboriginal Agencies. Based at the Vancouver Native Health Society office, he worked recruiting and educating caregivers of Aboriginal children and youth. Retiring from MCFD in 2002 Gary continued working with Aboriginal children and youth firstly at Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society on the Aboriginal Recruitment Team subsequently accepting a position at FAFP in September 2003.

My name is Gaye Smith and I am the Vancouver Coastal Regional Coordinator and the Education Coordinator for the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents. I am Metis from Manitoba. I am privileged in parenting my children who are from the Songhee Nation in Victoria and my adopted son who is Chinese bi-racial. I have committed myself to working with youth and families for more than 20 years. I was a foster parent of teens for 15 years. I retired from foster parenting knowing that my life in working with young people would take on new and exciting challenges. I spent the past 2 years developing and working on a new project committed to finding permanency options for youth in government care. I continue to be part of other community advisory panels in looking at bettering the outcomes for children and teens leaving foster care in BC. As I move ahead in my new role with FAFP, I look forward to connecting with foster parents and the community to discover new and exciting options to help us help you in caring for our most precious gifts our children. Please feel free to contact me anytime; I look forward to learning from you and with you!

My name is Sheila Ridden, my birth name was Shelly Rachel Ann Martial, and my adoptive parents changed my name at 10 yrs old when they adopted me. I am from Cold Lake First Nation. My family origin is Dene. I was born and raised in Edmonton. My husband and I, with our 2 boys, moved to the beautiful Okanagan in 2001. We are adoptive parents and been foster parents for 8 years. We are currently raising 5 children including our 4 year old grandson. I have a diploma in Aboriginal Child and Family Development program, Keyano College, Edmonton Campus. I have many years working experience with Foster Parents both in BC and Alberta. My passion has always been to work with Foster Parents. I look forward working for the Federation of Aboriginal Foster parents in the Interior region, and I thank the First Nations in the many communities for letting me work in your territory.

My name is Roxane Alec and I am a Carrier Native from the Lake Babine Nation. I come from the Beaver Clan. In 2007, I graduated with honours with my Diploma in Business Administration at CDI College. I have worked as a Receptionist and an Administrative Assistant for two very respectable organizations that have allowed me to grow and develop myself through meeting people of all levels, assisting clientele, and learning what I need to grow in the administrative role.

I lived on the reserve for my entire life, and it felt like there was a limit to how much I could succeed. So I moved to the Lower Mainland where I could gain education and employment. With that mindset, I have been able to obtain my diploma, work for some really great people, and make my mark in this city. I am proud to work for our Aboriginal people at any level as long as it has a positive outcome. Although I live and work in the city, I never forget my roots. My spouse and I teach our daughter our traditional ways; our potlatch system, carrier language and how to provide in the winter months.

My Aboriginal name is Was’oney’geeshi’gook, which means Light in the Sky woman in the Ojibwa language. My Hawaiian name is Hoopono’, which means The Faithful One. My English name is Sade Scott. On my Mother’s side I am Cree and Sodo. On my Father’s side I am from the Tseil-wautut Nation and the Squamish Nation. I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Vancouver. At the age of six I went into Foster Care with my Aunt and Uncle: Daniel and Gail Parker and aged out of care at nineteen. Since then I have graduated High School, received my Certificate in Family Community Counselling, received a Certificate in the Warriors Against Violence facilitators training and I am a proud indigenous woman working for my people and my community. I am proud to say that I am the new Child and Youth Coordinator at the Federation Aboriginal Foster Parents. All my relations!

My name is Emily Mayson and I am of the Coast Salish people from the Snuneymuxw First Nation that reside on Vancouver Island. I am the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents Regional Coordinator for Vancouver Island. I have recently returned to work from being on maternity leave. My husband and I have been very blessed in having a little baby boy, which has given me great insight and perspective into what it means to be a parent. Becoming a parent has brought me much joy.

I have a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria, graduating in 2005. My passion and motivation has been to work in Aboriginal community, in particular regarding child welfare. I believe as people and communities we have a responsibility to work together to better support and enhance the lives of children. I believe we need a strong foundation of services and supports that are available for access for our children and their caregivers. ‘It takes a community to raise a child, and no child should ever be left behind.’

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and the dedication the caregivers have committed themselves to looking after children. My hands go up to the caregivers for opening their hearts and opening their homes.

Please feel free to contact anytime. Thank-you!