Presenters

Dr. Val Napoleon, Indigenous Peoples’ Counsel, LLB, PhD is a Professor for the Faculty of Law, the Law Foundation Chair of Indigenous Justice and Governance UVic, and the former Acting Dean of Law. She is the co-founder of the JD/JID (Juris Doctor and Juris Indigenarum Doctor) dual degree program in Indigenous legal orders and Canadian common law, and the founding director of the Indigenous Law Research Unit. She is Cree from Saulteau First Nation and an adopted member of the Gitanyow (northern Gitxsan). Her areas of research are Indigenous legal traditions and methodologies (e.g., land, water, governance and democracy, gender and human rights, dispute management, and families), Indigenous legal theories, Indigenous feminisms, legal pluralism, Indigenous democracies, and Indigenous intellectual property. She teaches common law property intersocietally with Gitxsan land intersocietally in the JID/JD.

With twenty-five years working in the anti-human trafficking sector, Jennifer Richardson is considered an expert in her field, with extensive knowledge of human trafficking in Canada. Jennifer holds a Bachelor and Masters of Social Work from the University of Manitoba, with her research focusing on child exploitation and abuse investigations.

Elena Sterritt is a Gitxsan graphic recorder from Gitanmaax First Nations. Elena brings a unique artistic lens to strategic planning and concepts. She can visualize and cohesively organize ideas in an imaginative and collective way, through use of colour, icons, font and style Elena is able to distinguish key planning aspects and action items and make a connection between expression and practical application.

Rooted in the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) and the village of Ustlawn (Eslhá7an), Sheryl’s heritage is embodied in her cultural and spiritual names, Siamtnaat and Milnitdi. Building on this foundation, she graduated from Simon Fraser University with an executive MBA specializing in Aboriginal Business and Leadership as part of the program’s first cohort in North America. With nearly three decades of experience in cultural competency education, Rivers has been a driving force in promoting Indigenous participation across business, government, and grassroots organizations. She now brings this wealth of knowledge to Woodfibre LNG as the Indigenous Workforce Development Manager and a cultural trainer.

“By being able to integrate my culture with my MBA, this has truly become the best role I’ve ever held,” shares Sheryl Rivers, reflecting on her path to becoming the Indigenous Workforce Development Manager at Woodfibre LNG.

Daria has over 25-years experience as a consultation and engagement professional and has worked on projects in Alberta and Brith Columbia.

She is currently the Director, Community Affairs at Woodfibre LNG where she leads a team dedicated to building relationships with stakeholders built on trust and transparency, as well as ensuring there are minimal impacts in the community during the construction phase. Daria also supports the Woodfibre LNG’s Gender Safety Committee and played a significant role in the development of the WLNG Worker Code of Conduct that is signed by everyone on the Project.

Daria has spent her career working on large industrial projects, including at Shell Wind, Shell Canada, and LNG Canada.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba.

As the Member for BC’s Legislative Assembly for Nelson-Creston from 2009 to 2020, and in her roles as BC’s Minister for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources from 2017 to 2020 and Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness in 2020, Michelle Mungall has been a voice for indigenous partnerships and reconciliation.

Two of her most proud moments in government were celebrating the start of the Ktunaxa Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area for Qat’Muk, also known as Jumbo Glacier, and standing with Haisla former Chief Councillor Crystal Smith on the day LNG Canada announced their final investment decision. On both occasions, her infant son, who is now seven years-old and an older brother, was in attendance.

After leaving public office to be closer to her growing family, Michelle began working with Woodfibre LNG to implement their Gender and Cultural Safety plan and her personal long held dream of making major projects safer for women. It has been an honour to work with indigenous women in implementing the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered and Indigenous Women.

“Together, we are putting reconciliation and women’s rights in action.”

Known by her ancestral name Kwitelut, is a respected Squamish Nation Matriarch, cultural educator, and former long-serving member of the Squamish Nation Council. She currently serves as one of WLNG’s Indigenous Floatel Cultural Managers, bringing a wealth of knowledge, lived experience, and cultural integrity to her role in supporting workers onboard the floatel.

As a Cultural Manager on the floatel, Kwitelut co-leads efforts to ensure a respectful, inclusive, and culturally safe environment for all workers—particularly Indigenous Women and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. She creates spaces of care through cultural safety training, peer support, and wellness-based activities. Her approach includes offering Indigenous Teachings, storytelling, and shared conversations grounded in respect and healing.

Born and raised in the north, I have worked for my Nation and community for many years and served in the Canadian Military for 15 years (Canadian Rangers). Also, School District 87 Trustee, Tahltan Nation Dev. Corp. as long-term employee AND Chair of the Board, Tahltan Band liaison for MCFD, Tahltan Community Director, Foster Parent for many years for many children, Youth Club Coordinator and director, and many volunteer clubs and positions.

I have my degrees in Bookkeeping, Canadian payroll, IFOT (Indigenous therapy), Youth at Risk, and most recently, Indigenous Human Services through NVIT. My passions are reading, Herbology and Indigenous medicines, History, Beading, sewing, gardening, and outdoor activities. My husband and I live remotely on our Trapline and love the traditional, rustic lifestyle. I have 6 children (2 natural, 4 adopted). I was elected in 2025 to my current position with the Tahltan Central Gov’t. My future plan is to pursue a master’s in Indigenous Leadership at Royal Roads University.

Director, Pathways to UNDA Implementation Directorate, Nòkwewashk, Natural Resources Canada

JJ’s public-service career, now approaching twenty years, spans a diverse range of functions within the Government of Canada. JJ’s multidisciplinary profile bridges communications, human resources, and other corporate services, strategic policy functions including strategic planning, regulatory affairs, sustainable development, investment planning, Federal Provincial and Territorial relations, research, public consultation and engagement, in addition to grants and contributions programming policy. JJ has also notably contributed to policy development in high-impact, socially focused priority areas, including public safety, Indigenous rights, countering gender-based violence, countering disinformation and protecting democracy (at Canadian Heritage, Public Safety Canada, Justice Canada, and Natural Resources Canada).

JJ is currently the director, Pathways to UN Declaration Implementation, responsible for UNDA Implementation Policy, MMIWG2S+ in Resource Development Policy, for NRCan’s Reconciliation Action Plan and for the Circle of Nations Learning Centre, including the Elders in Residence Program. Beyond public policy, JJ brings his artistic identity into every space he occupies. He holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Psychology from Adler University. JJ currently resides on the traditional unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin, Mohawk, Wendake, Anishinabewaki, and Hodenosaunee Peoples, also known as Limoges, Ontario, with their husband Steven and child JF.

Chastity Davis-Alphonse is a mixed heritage woman of First Nations and European descent. She is a proud member of the Tla’amin Nation and married into the Tsilhqot’in Nation. Chastity is sole proprietor to her own multi-award-winning consulting business.

She has worked with 100+ First Nation communities in British Columbia and several well-known corporations, companies, not-for-profits, and Indigenous organizations. Chastity’s work is completed in the spirit of reconciliation and focuses on building knowledge and capacities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals,
organizations, communities, and governments.

Chastity’s approach is from an Indigenous women’s lens. She is on the leading edge of Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis Plus (IGBA+) in Canada working with the federal and provincial governments, Tsilhqot’in National Government, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, and several others to weave the Indigenous women’s lens into their daily practices including Impact Assessment processes, policies, and procedures.

Chastity is creator and visionary of “Deyen – An Invitation to Transform” – one of the only online learning platforms in the world that centers the wisdom, knowledge, and lived experiences of the original Matriarchs of the lands often called Canada. She is also Editor of one of the only Indigenous Business Magazines in Canada titled Makook pi Selim (Chinook Jargon/Language) published in partnership with Business In Vancouver (BIV). Makook pi Selim is in its second year of publications and features 100% Indigenous writers and covers a wide and deep variety of topics as they relate to Indigenous Peoples and economic development.

Chastity has a Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communications, a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication, and a Diploma in Marketing Management & Professional Sales from BCIT. Chastity is also a certified yoga teacher in two modalities: Yin and Kundalini. She weaves the ancient practice and philosophy of yoga into her personal and professional life.

Annita McPhee is a member of the Tahltan and Tlingit Nations from Northwestern British Columbia and a former three-term President of the Tahltan Central Council. She is the founder of Annita McPhee Strategies, where she works with First Nations, governments, and industry on Indigenous relations, cultural safety, and respectful workplace training.

Annita holds a law degree and a social work degree from the University of Victoria, and a diploma in International Human Rights and Advocacy from Columbia University. She is the recipient of numerous awards for leadership, including the 2025 YWCA Vancouver Women of Distinction Award, recognizing her work advancing justice, reconciliation, and safety for Indigenous women and communities.

Angelina Stump is from Tl’etinqox and is a strong matriarch within her family,
community, and Nation. She is deeply committed to preserving and strengthening the Tŝilhqot’in language, culture, and protocols.
Angelina is the Chair and a long-standing representative of the Tŝilhqot’in Ts’iqi Dechen Jedilhtan, where she provides leadership, guidance, and advocacy for Tŝilhqot’in women and families. She also serves on the Nation’s Children and Families team, sharing her knowledge and teachings for the betterment of future generations while honoring the wisdom of those who came before and helping create change today.
One of her most cherished activities is her quiet mornings spent practicing and teaching the language alongside Dora and through working groups such as the Salmon Boy Project. She is passionate about lifelong learning, grounded in Tŝilhqot’in ways of knowing while also embracing learning in today’s modern world.
Angelina was the valedictorian at Thompson Rivers University in 2019, reflecting her
dedication, perseverance, and love of learning.
She is a proud ?inkwel (mother), ?etsu (grandmother), and great-grandmother, as well as a wife, auntie, and mentor. Angelina is a true matriarch who uplifts those around her, generously sharing her knowledge, strength, and the Tŝilhqot’in way with future generations.

I represent my community, Tŝideldel First Nation, on the Ts’iqi Dechen Jedilhtan
Tŝilhqot’in Women’s Council, a role I have held since 2023. I currently work as an
Interim Education Coordinator and live in my community.
I was born and raised by my Tŝilhqot’in parents alongside my seven siblings in and
around our community. I am a proud mother of two adult sons and a grandmother of four. I attended Tŝideldel Day School and later Puntzi Mountain Provincial Elementary School when integration was introduced, and completed my high school education at Revelstoke Senior Secondary School. Years later, I attended the UBC NITEP program to obtain my teaching degree.
I was raised in a traditional Tŝilhqot’in environment where our language was spoken
fluently. My family lived a nomadic lifestyle, travelling by horse-drawn wagon to cabins and seasonal camps, raising sheep and working at local ranches where my father held contracts. Eventually, my parents moved us to Tŝideldel so we could attend school, as we were at risk of being taken to Residential School.
Although I have achieved many successes, my journey has not been without challenges. I experienced bullying, violence, racism, alcoholism, and loss within my community. These experiences have shaped who I am today, a proud Tŝilhqot’in Ts’iqi survivor.
I speak and write the Tŝilhqot’in language fluently and teach it whenever possible. I
continue to practice and share traditional knowledge, from making moccasins to tanning hides, skills passed down from my mother. More recently, I have been involved in storytelling work, which I am deeply proud of. This work allows my colleague Angie and me to document the meanings and cultural protocols within our stories through the Tl’esqox Project.

My name is Thelma Stump. I am from ?Esdilagh First Nation, with family roots in
Tle’tinqox. My late grandparents are Henry Dick and Lizzie Dick, and my parents are
Christine Billyboy and Patrick Billyboy, all from Tle’tinqox.

I am a Tsilhqot’in language speaker and work closely with Elders in the sharing and teaching of cultural knowledge and traditions. I have been on my personal healing
journey since 2001, which continues to guide both my life and my work.

I hold an Office Administration Program Certificate and have completed the Aboriginal Health and; Community Administration Program (AHCAP). I am now completing my degree to become an Indigenous Teacher, with a focus on transforming workplaces through Indigenous ways of knowing.

I also serve on the Tŝilhqot’in Ts’iqi Dechen Jedilhtan and sit on a few advisory boards within our Nation, where I provide guidance and share my knowledge and experience.