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BOARD MEMBER BIOS
| J Paul Stevenson - President |
J. Paul has been the President of the Vancouver Métis Association since 1996 and since that time has watched the membership grow from 150 to nearly 2,000 members. He dedicates his time to his community with a sense of love and duty. His interests are primarily in the area of incarcerated peoples, social justice and addiction issues. As a person in recovery himself he tries to stay totally non-judgmental of others.
J. Paul is a past Chair of Vancouver City Council’s Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities, a past member of the British Columbia Multiculturalism Advisory Council and was on the Premier’s Mining Advisory Council. He is often a guest speaker on Social Responsibilities in the Mining Industry. |
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| Marshall Lowen - Captain of the Hunt / Vice President |
I was born in Winnipeg and spent my childhood years in a wide area ranging from St. James, through Sturgeon Creek, Silver Heights, and Headingly out to Portage la Prairie. I started hunting small game and trapping while still in my single digit years. As a teenager in High School, my trap lines along the Red and Assiniboine rivers provided me with much needed pocket money. I am proud to have Michif bloodlines on my Father’s side and Bungi from my Mother’s family, but it is unfortunate that my parents chose not share in my enthusiasm.
At 11 years of age, I was awakened to my Métis heritage by Barbara Johnstone, Curator of the HBC Museum and archives in Winnipeg and later Director of Lower Fort Garry National Park. This was the beginning of a very interesting voyage of discovery for me of a fascinating culture in which I was anxious to learn more and become an active participant.
In my middle teens I joined the Canadian Army to get away from an alcoholic and abusive father. Due in part to my abilities in scouting, marksmanship and knowledge of firearms, I was for several years able to travel around the world and see exotic places at the expense of Her Britannic Majesty. This association with the military has continued until just recently with both active and reserve duties.
I currently have my own company, Teknika Training & Services Inc. and am involved in training people in everything from Firearms Safety, Environmental compliance, construction building trades to Aboriginal Awareness workshops. Organizing and taking part in Traditional Métis Hunts take up a good part of my spare time.
I first came out to the coast as a child to visit my Grandparents. Later I was stationed at Chilliwack as a member of the Armed Forces. My wife Carol and I moved permanently to Vancouver after being married in England.
In 1998, I was very fortunate to meet Paul Stevenson and Dr. Howard Adams and became a member of the VMCA. I had previously been a member of the Ontario Métis Aboriginal Association. I am proud to have served several successful terms as Vice- President and Captain of the Hunt. I look forward to being able to participate in and serve our Métis Community in all ways possible. |
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| Larry McGillivray - Treasurer |
| Grandpa was a Métis fiddler from Kikino Métis Settlement, near Edmonton. Dad plays guitar and sings. Mother from Whitecourt. Went to school in Salmo and Nelson, BC. Studied Biochemistry at UBC, but mostly played drums in bands Doug and the Slugs, Blue Northern, Molloy Gang and Brain Damage until the 80's.Currently managing broker and realtor, Facilitech Property Management Ltd. I have a brother, in Osoyoos, and a 9 year old son who I hope will appreciate his roots. I Have been treasurer of the Board for a few years and am grateful for the work that that our elders, board members and volunteers do for our people. I hope we can fulfill Louis Riel's prediction that we will rise up and be a nation once again, led by our artists. We have a Métis community in Vancouver and as people rediscover their culture, we get stronger. |
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| Gerry Dickie - At Large Member |
| Bachelor of Science In Forestry and Masters of Business Administration, 28 years of Management Experience. Experienced Volunteer Board Member with various NGO’s including Employee and Family Assistance Programs such as Lower Mainland Assistance and Referral Service. Co-ordinated Aboriginal Student Summer Employment Program in 2006 on behalf of VMCA with Grain Workers Union Local 333. Main Interests are promoting Aboriginal Youth Education and Employment Opportunities |
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| June Scudeler - At Large Member |
| Is a Vancouver based PhD candidate in English at the University of Calgary. My dissertation will be on Métis writer, Gregory Scofield. I've worked on the Urban Aboriginal Strategy and as the literary curator for the Talking Stick Aboriginal Arts Festival. I am also a member of the Vancouver Coastal Aboriginal Planning Committee whose mandate is to prepare for the transfer of authority to deliver those Aboriginal services and programs currently administered by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. |
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| Colleen Clancy - At Large Member |
| I grew up on the Prairies and have lived my adult life in Vancouver. I have been an Early Childhood Educator for 28 years. Currently, I work as a Child and Family Worker supporting children with emotional and/or behavioral challenges, and their families. I am also working toward a certificate in expressive arts therapy. I am interested in exploring my Métis heritage, and learning more about my grandmother Marie Clemence Beaulieu's experience growing up in southern Saskatchewan at the turn of the last century. I forgot to add that I have a son who is almost 17 and who keeps me on my toes.! |
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| Carmen Metz-Wells - At Large Member |
| Is a newer member of the VMCA board. She has been the editor for the Riel News for roughly a year now, and is looking forward to another year with the Riel News. Carmen would like to see new developments take shape for the community in the new year, possibly with community meetings, and hopes one day to see the art club take flight. |
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| Jason Friesen - At Large Member |
Is a writer, director and a producer in the motion picture business. A Vancouver Métis Community Association endeavor “Not just a half-breed”, a documentary film Jason directed along with a short dramatic film of his, were selected recently to screen at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian for the 13th Native American Film and Video Festival in New York City.
Jason enjoys being a part of the Vancouver Métis Community Association; it is a great honor working together with the community that stream toward positive changes. Jason feels inspired and excited to be included in the events and endless fun. |
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| Naomi
Linkletar- At Large Member |
| Graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary and has worked as an artist. While working to get her Bachelors of Education she worked as a community activist with both the labour and peace movements. She has taught in school, adult education, and college, working with children, youth, elderly, special needs, new Canadians and the business community. Naomi really enjoys cookies, hence her nickname of ‘cookie’. After moving to Vancouver she has worked with various youth film festivals in Canada, Iran and Korea. |
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| Ron Kearse - Member at Large |
| Ron is active on many fronts in our Métis community. He is the main in-reach worker for the Walk Bravely Forward Society, a society that helps Métis and Aboriginal offender re-integrate back into the community and their families after serving time. Ron is also active in the field of pod cast and web based radio. He is an avid writer and participates regularly in the East Van Writers Group (EVWG) and currently is working on his first novel that has been in the works for a while, but promises to be worth the wait. |
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| James Pflanz - Member at Large |
I was born and raised here in BC (Vancouver and Kamloops). My maternal grandmother, a Nault, played a major influence in my life, and when she died it was the greatest loss of my life. Shortly after her death, we discovered documentation confirming our suspicions that we were Metis. Several years ago, I decided to learn more about what it meant to be Metis, and got involved with the Vancouver Metis Community Association, and have been rewarded greatly by the experience.
Professionally, I am a lawyer specializing in the issues surrounding small businesses. I graduated from Dalhousies Law School and I have worked at both boutique and larger law firms. A few years ago, I decided to start my own law firm and have enjoyed many aspects of this challenge. In the future, I hope to become more professionally involved in aboriginal legal and strategic challenges, particularly relating to aboriginal business and non-profit ventures. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of this. |
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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER?
THE BOARD MEETS EVERY 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH.
ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND TO SEE IF IT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE!!
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