Wayne M. Christian is of Shuswap/Okanagan ancestry. He is a proud father of seven children and four Grandchildren. Christian was the Executive Director for the Community Health Associates and also a lecturer on leadership from a wellness perspective. Chief Christian was recently re-elected as Chief in December 2005.
One of Christian’s greatest strengths is commitment that is firmly rooted in the values, principles and traditions of First Nations people. His leadership philosophy is based on inclusiveness, historical perspective, a strong belief in our Sovereign land title and rights that are governed by our laws, our values, culture, traditions and our connection with all of creation, he believes strongly that the solutions to the issues in the communities are rooted in the minds, hearts and spirits of the People who will deal with the Government’s legislative genocide.
As a young man, Christian became determined to improve the quality of life for First Nations people, and he has held steadfast to this goal during his professional life. Christian entered politics as a vehicle to create change. He was the elected Chief of the Splats’in First Nation in 1979 till 1987 and Chairperson of Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. He spear-headed the creation of the first Community controlled child welfare legislation in Canada. He was also Chairperson of the Constitutional Express which lobbied nationally and internationally at the United Nations and 7 European countries against the Canadian government’s plan to repatriate the Canadian constitution and to establish recognition of First Nations as one of the founding Nations of Canada. He established community infrastructures for housing and domestic water and a pre/post treatment facility for the Splats’in First Nation.
Christian believes that healing and personal wellness development is central to improving quality of life for First Nations people. He served on the Board of Directors for the Round Lake Treatment Centre prior to becoming Executive Director. The Round Lake Treatment Centre is Internationally renowned as a model of Indigenous governance and culturally based treatment programming. The Centre became a leader in addictions and wellness during his tenure. Under Christian’s leadership, Round Lake established a training and development division, implemented an innovative trauma treatment program and was the first alcohol and drug treatment facility to achieve a 3-year CARF accreditation in B.C. Under Christian’s leadership the Round Lake Treatment Centre was accredited for 9 of the 14 years that he was the Executive Director.
Christian recently focused on establishing the Community Health Associates of BC as a leader in the field for health, addictions and wellness. He is known as a tireless and passionate advocate for health professionals at the political and grassroots levels for the First Nations community. Christian maintains his political involvement and served on several Boards/Committees such as the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation (Secretary/Treasurer), and was a member on the Board of Governors of Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (First Nations Post Secondary Institution) from 1995 to 2001.
Michael LeBourdais is of Secwepemc, St’át’imc and Okanagan Heritage. He is the proud father of three. He is the son of Duke LeBourdais of Clinton and Charlotte LeBourdais formerly of Xaxlip. His maternal roots can be traced back to Chief Comox.
Chief LeBourdais’ strengths are facilitation, finance and management. He attended Olds College in Alberta and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby and University College of the Cariboo at Kamloops. He was instrumental as President of the Cariboo College Student Society to activate the UCC Native Student Society.
Chief LeBourdais participates as a Director with: the Secwepemc Child and Family Services Society, the Secwepemc Cultural Education Society as Treasurer, the First Nations Chiefs Health Committee and the Qwemstin Health Society, Chief LeBourdais also serves as Chair of the Shuswap Training and Employment Program which oversees the implementation of training and human resource development at the Band level. Chief LeBourdais has also served on the Commanding Officers Aboriginal Advisory Committee with Bev Busson, Director of the RCMP Division E. He serves with the Chiefs of Skeetchestn and Kamloops on the Community Tripartite agreement and as well with the Secwepemc Community Justice Program which implements the culturally relevant circle sentencing alternative to justice.
Chief LeBourdais pursues the responsibilities of moving the Pelltiqt and its neighbours towards self sufficiency through agreements with other governments. “Since the beginning of time, the Pelltiqt have sustained themselves with the resources and the political jurisdiction to care for and enhance the quality of life; which continues today. The past Chiefs laid the foundation of mitigating the impacts and the negative consequences of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.” Chief LeBourdais firmly believes we can achieve that again. “Through negotiations and human resource development we can once again begin to enjoy that which we need to sustain ourselves.”
As a result of his employment with the Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations as a Business Development Advisor, he understands the mechanisms of finance and the benefits of a strong entrepreneurial base. He believes that with entrepreneurship, human resource development and financial support will regain the spirit of our people. Wherein we can rely on ourselves to provide the means we require to survive and move our people again to self sufficiency.
Link:
www.wpcib.com
