Secretariat

Joan (Joni) Conlon is a Sekani woman and matrilineal member of the Tsay Keh Dene Nation – The People of the Rocks – in the heart of the Rocky Mountain Trench in Northern British Columbia, Canada. Her father’s roots are found in Treaty 6 Territory in Alberta/Saskatchewan and is Cree/Metis. Appointed Executive Director of Our Children Our Way Society on April 14, 2025, Joan brings over 20 years of experience in Indigenous child and family services, grounded in cultural knowledge, community leadership, and systemic advocacy.

Joan began her career with Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) in 2008, and Indigenous Child and Family Agency, where she progressed through key leadership roles including Guardianship Social Worker, Family Support and Prevention & Practice Support Manager, and most recently, Director of Child Safety. Her work extended across multiple territories, including the Wet’suwet’en territory, where she led community-based services rooted in love, connection, and cultural safety but also raised her two children.

Joan’s approach to social work is distinct from mainstream practice as she centres Indigenous knowledge systems, reflective practice, and front-line prevention as the foundation to  her practice. She is a strong proponent of front-loading support for families—addressing systemic barriers like poverty, housing, and food insecurity to help keep children connected to their families, culture, and community. Her leadership philosophy is shaped by Elders, matriarchs, and the principle of u’guzli—to go slowly, tread softly, and lead with humility and respect.

She has been deeply involved in advancing Indigenous-led child and family services, presenting at regional conferences, webinars, and public forums. Joan’s skill set includes strategic planning, culturally grounded program development, staff mentorship, and intergovernmental collaboration. Her practice is also informed by early involvement in FASD prevention work and a dedication to reflective and reflexive approaches learned both in academic settings and on the land.

Joan is committed to decolonizing social work, challenging mainstream systems, and restoring traditional ways of caring for children. She believes in building relationships rooted in trust, empathy, and mutual respect—whether working with families, communities, or non-Indigenous allies.

At Our Children Our Way Society, Joan leads with integrity, compassion, and a clear vision: to uphold the rights of Indigenous children and families and help build healthier, stronger communities for generations to come – with the guidance of her matriarchs and the ancestors that came before her.

Debra has made significant contributions and continues to direct her positive energies as a committed, responsible, and strong leader with over 30 years’ experience working with and advocating for the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.

A member of the Tseshaht First Nation and a recipient of the Order of British Columbia, Debra Foxcroft is the daughter of Jeanette Gallic and the late James Gallic, and granddaughter of the late Jessie Gallic (nee, Campbell) and Je (Jimmy) Gallic. She is also a sister, auntie, mother and grandmother; a proud and strong Tseshaht women who approaches her work with honesty, integrity and strong values.

Judy  (tsiqw xwéxwne – Red Hummingbird) Wilson, Secwépemc, brings 25 years of direct political leadership and a lifetime of knowledge and experience from her family of Kúkpi7s (Chiefs) and Grand Chiefs, and strong women leaders from Secwépemcul’ecw (her home territory). 

Her continued leadership is across multiple sectors, including MMIWG2S, land rights, the environment/climate crisis, emergency management, rural economy and especially children and families. She has made numerous interventions internationally to many United Nations Committees and Special Rapporteurs over the years on key First Nations issues. 

Judy has many appointments to various First Nations committees on a wide range of issues by the AFN (Assembly of First Nations—Canada), BCAFN (BC Assembly of First  Nations) and UBCIC (Union of BC Indian Chiefs).

In addition she is called upon by multiple grassroots agencies and coalitions all across Turtle Island with her work and method of approaching governance, policy and cultural knowledge coming from the heart, rooted in her love of the people, land and water. Judy currently serves as Knowledge Keeper & Advisor at the Our Children Our Way Society, the Representative for Children & Family (BC), and the National Children’s Chief’s Commission. 

Bart Knudsgaard, Policy Lead

Nation/Ancestry/background: Danish and French
Education: Masters of Social Work – Indigenous Specialization – University of Victoria
Publications/Dissertation/Thesis: How one becomes what one is: Transformative Journeys to Allyship – https://dspace.library.uvic.ca/handle/1828/11480
Relevant Experience

• Delegated Aboriginal Agency Executive Director
• Ministry of Child and Family Development Aboriginal Services Branch Manager
• Ministry of Child and Family Development – Social Worker and Supervisor

“Be the change” Ghandi

Tracy (left) with her partner Jen (right)

Tracy Lavin, Policy Analyst

Nation/Ancestry/Background: Scottish, Irish, Polish
Home community: Grew up on the traditional territory of the Abenaki nation of Missisquoi
Education: PhD in Developmental Psychology
Publications/Dissertation/Thesis: Culture and the acquisition of Nouns and Verbs
Relevant Experience: Principal Researcher at the Canadian Council on Learning; research consultant for First Nations Education Steering Committee

If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never been in the dark with a mosquito.

Michelle (right) with her Mother Misty Morningstar (left)

Nation/Ancestry/Background: Cowessess First Nation, Cree Saulteaux (mother) and Irish Australian (father)
Where did you grow up?: Squamish Nation Territory (Canada), Gabrieleño and Costanoan Territory (California), Kulin Nation and Bundjalung Territory (Australia)
Relevant Experience: Business owner/operator, Public Relations, Marketing, Intergenerational Survivor

“Upon suffering beyond suffering the Red Nation shall rise again, and it will be a blessing for a sick world; a world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations; a world longing for light again. I see a time of Seven Generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again.” Chief Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota.

Kayla (center) with her gran, Alice (left) and grandpa, Gus (right)

Kayla Swing, Policy Analyst

Nation/Ancestry/Background: Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala First Nation, Bangladeshi, English, Scottish
Where did you grow up:  Traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation
Position: Policy Analyst
Education: BA in Anthropology, University of Victoria
Publications/Dissertation/ Thesis: None (maybe one day!)
Relevant Experience: Indigenous Youth Internship Program- MCFD

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change – Wayne Dyer

Ky (left) with her dog, Mia, and partner, Justin (right).

Ky Scott, Policy Analyst

Nation/Ancestry/Background: Irish and Icelandic (Maternal), British and Métis (Paternal)

Where did you grow up?: Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) First Nation territory near ‘Driftwood Place’ (qʷɬeləm). Settlers who occupied and colonized the land and its people called it “Steveston Village” in Richmond, B.C.

Education: Theatre Arts Diploma- Studio 58 (2011), Social Service Worker Co ordinated Diploma- Langara College (2019), Bachelors of Social Work Degree- University of Victoria (2022)

Publications: ‘Beyond Individual Experience: Frameworks for understanding shared group traumatization and healing’ Lucero, Scott, Nutton (2023); ‘Working in circle and online’ Scott (2023); ‘Integrating the Colonial Trauma Framework into Trauma-Informed Care and practice’ Scott, Lucero, Nutton (2022)

Relevant Experience: Grant Co-ordinator and Research Assistant (McGill Centre for Research on Children & Families; Canadian Consortium on Child & Youth Trauma); Integration Support Worker (PRIYD Program, Family Services of Greater Vancouver)

Quote: “…we accept the idea that knowledge does not only reside within the mind. Our hearts can also perceive what we may not see with our eyes or understand with our minds.” –Leona Makokis, ohpikinâwasowin/Growing a Child

Currently on maternity leave.

Nation/Ancestry/Background: Ukrainian, Scottish, Irish

Education: Master of Social Work – Indigenous Specialization, Bachelor of Social Work – Child Welfare Specialization

Relevant Experience: Director of Operations MCFD, Social Worker MCFD – Provincial Mobile Response Team, Aboriginal Services/Co-location NIL TU,O, Specialized High-Risk Pregnancy

“When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision – then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” – Audre Lorde

Mark with statue of decolonial hero Kwame Nkrumah.

Marc Woons, Management Consultant (Project Management and Strategic Planning)

Nation/Ancestry/Background: Settler Canadian of German and Dutch Descent
Education: PhD in Political Philosophy (Leuven, Belgium) with a focus on Indigenous self-determination in settler colonial states.
Publications: https://www.e-ir.info/publication/restoring-indigenous-self-determination-theoretical-and-practical-approaches-2/
Relevant Experience: Worked in the Deputy Ministers office at MCFD

“what is possible could never have been achieved unless people had tried again and again to achieve the impossible in this world” Max Weber

Nation/Ancestry/Background: Ktunaxa (Maternal side), Haida, Nations and Kwakwakaʼwakw

Where did you grow up: unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Position: Junior Policy Analyst

Education: Second year of my Bachelor’s degree.

Relevant Experience: Working with our youth in treatment facilities and healing lodges and front-line experience in a harm reduction setting.

The photo was taken this summer at Tsuut’ina Pow Wow after a 10-year hiatus from the pow wow circle. Definitely a highlight of my summer to be back in the circle with my community and that my mom was there to watch me retake my first steps.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!