Our Nations and Communities
As SIIA is an organization representing the First Nations on the South Island, we felt it right to acknowledge the Nations and Communities we serve as the foundation our team. This work would not be happening if it were not for the people from community who have shown up in many different ways over the years. To learn more about the Nations we support, and the work being done, check out the link below:
Remi Paul
He/Him
Remi is a member of Tsartlip First Nation, where he lives with his family. He is a former Tsartlip Councilor. Remi has run a number of businesses and last spent ten years working with South Island Wellness Society. Remi came to SIIA to start our Community Engagement program. Now he is transitioning into the role of Business Lead for SIIA.
Contact info
remipaul@siia.ca
(778)-679-4611
Shana Sylvester (PÍȾELÁNEW̱OT)
She/Her
Shana is a member of SȾAUTW̱ First Nation, where she lives with her family. Shana has worked in a number of social support and cultural roles, with her last employment being with the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board. Shana’s Community Engagement Nations include the following; Pacheedaht, T’Sou-ke, Sc’ianew, W̱SÍ,KEM, BOḰEĆEN, W̱JOȽEȽP, SȾAUTW̱. Shana will also be a support to Margaret with Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
Contact info
shanasylvester@siia.ca
(250)-514-2511
Cedar Shackelly (TEMOSŦIOT)
(she/her)
Cedar is W̱SÁNEĆ on her late father’s side, and Nlaka’pamux on her mother’s side. She resides in Tsartlip with her family but visits her mother in the Nlaka’pamux territory (Nooaitch First Nation) regularly. Cedar has spent much of her career working with families and youth. Her most recent employment was with South Island Wellness Society where she was a Collaborative Facilitator and later their Elder’s and Cultural Programs Coordinator. She joins the SIIA team as a Community Engagement Lead, where she will continue the Community Engagement with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, the Auntie’s Group, and service providers.
Contact info:
cedarshackelly@siia.ca
April Raphael
(she/her)
Chris Jim
He/Him
Chris is from the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation residing on Tsawout. He has always wanted to work with community as an advocate or ally. Culturally, supporting one another always comes first—which is a value he embeds within his lifestyle. He believes in the importance of coming forward as one and that, in this work, we are all equal. His hope in his work with SIIA is to support our communities’ voices to be heard, and to be open to learning about more about the diversity within our communities and about other cultural backgrounds. His role with SIIA is as one of our Community Engagement Leads.
Contact info:
Chrisjim@siia.ca
(778)-679-7901
Jenna Lancaster ?Ixc’amgilakw
She/Her
Jenna Lancaster is Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish. She is a member of ‘Namgis First Nation and comes from Musgamakw and ‘Namgis on her father’s side and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Songhees and Lyackson on her mother’s side. She has a lot of experience working with children and youth from many different nations. Jenna has her degree in Child and Youth Care and is joining SIIA’s team as our Urban Community Engagement Lead.
Contact info:
jennalancaster@siia.ca
(250)-508-0009
Paula Rasmussen
She/Her
Paula is a settler from Treaty 7 Territory who has spent the past seven years learning on Coast Salish territories. She has worked as youth worker for SĆIȺNEW First Nation and at a group home called Cedar House. She is a law student in UVic’s Joint Degree in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders (JD/JID) Program. She hopes to bring her experience working with youth in community as well as the teachings she has received on Coast Salish law to this work and support with the development of legislation that reflects the values of the South Island communities.
Contact info:
paularasmussen@siia.ca
Erica Pepevnak
She/Her
Erica is of settler ancestry (Slovenian, Norwegian, Irish) and was raised on the lands stewarded by the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation in Alberta and has been living on the lands of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen peoples for the past decade. She has her degree in Social Work and has worked extensively with young people for the past ten years. These days she is grateful to live her life alongside many children, youth, community members, and elders who help to ground her in her work as SIIA’s Service Quality Lead.
Contact info:
Ericapepevnak@siia.ca
403-796-9610
Chuck Eamer
He/Him
Chuck has lived on south and mid Vancouver Island for most of his life. He now lives with his wife in Colwood. He is a social worker who worked in government for years, with senior roles including Regional Executive Director for Vancouver Island (MCFD) and Assistant Deputy Minister (MCFD). For the past 10 years Chuck has been a management consultant, working for Indigenous and not-for-profit groups. Chuck is the Interim Executive Director for SIIA, overseeing the initial development of our organization and services.
Contact info:
chuckeamer@siia.ca
Bruce Underwood
He/Him
Bruce has been involved with SIIA and its predecessors for a long time. He is a member of Tsawout First Nation, where he lives with his family. He is a former Chief and Councilor. Bruce is in his second consecutive term as Board Chair.
Contact Info:
bunderwood@shaw.ca