Merv Child
Executive Director
Merv, a member of the Dzawada'enuxw First Nation, has been working with the Nanwakolas member First Nations in various capacities since 1996, and has served as the Nanwakolas Council Executive Director since February 2007. In addition to his work with Nanwakolas, Merv has a Victoria-based law practice that focuses primarily providing services to First Nations and First Nation organizations in the areas of aboriginal rights, land and resource management, band governance and First Nation economic development. Merv is a 1994 graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1995.
John Bones
Marine Planning Coordinator
John Bones (MSc, McMaster University) has more than 30 years experience in land and coastal management, planning and environmental assessment with the public and private sectors in British Columbia and Alberta. He has directed BC government programs on coastal planning and policy, environmental emergencies, and land administration, and coordinated strategic planning programs in BC's North and Vancouver Island coast. He negotiated the MOU between Canada and BC on Ocean Strategy Implementation, designed BC's original coastal planning program, and has been intimately involved in strategic plans prepared for Vancouver Island, the Central Coast and the Haida Gwaii Land Use Agreement. John was an Assistant Deputy Minister, Integrated Land Management Bureau from 2006 to 2008 before leaving government to start his own consulting service. He has extensive experience in meeting facilitation, report writing, and reaching agreement on complex land and resource issues.
Rachel Dalton, RPF
Forestry Referral Officer
racheldalton [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Rachel was born in Comox and for the majority of her life she has called Alert Bay home. Rachel is a Registered Professional Forester and has earned a Diploma in Forest Resources Technology from Malaspina University-College, and a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources Management from the University of British Columbia. Much of her practical forestry experience was gained as a consultant to small-scale, area-based forest tenure holders, and includes a wide range of field and planning skills. Rachel is the mother of three older children who are descendants of the Haida and Laich Kwil Tach peoples through their father's family.
Coral Duncan
Administrative Assistant
coralduncan [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Coral, the proud owner of Jack, a beagle and office mascot, was born and raised in Campbell River, and is a member of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, with ties to the Da'naxda'xw First Nation on her father's side. She's a graduate of Camosun College. Coral has been with Nanwakolas since February 2007, prior to which she worked for the member First Nations for two years in their former association that, ultimately, led to the incorporation of Nanwakolas.
Wally Eamer
Terrestrial Planning Coordinator
Wally Eamer was born and raised on Vancouver Island, and lives in Metchosin. He has a Bachelor of Arts from University of B.C. and Master of Business Administration from Harvard. He worked for over twenty years in the provincial government, including Ministry of Environment and BC Parks. In the Central Coast process from 2002, he was the provincial Table representative, provincial negotiator with First Nations in 2004 and 2005, and since 2006 has worked on EBM implementation with the Nanwakolas Council. In 2008, he was ordained as a deacon in the Anglican church.
Rick Everson
Referrals Officer
rickeverson [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Rick is a member of the K'ómoks First Nation. His grandparents were Margaret Frank (Wilson) from T'sakis (Fort Rupert) and Chief Andy Frank from K'ómoks. Rick brings a well-rounded blend of education and experience to Nanwakolas. His educational background involves both land & resource management and GIS training. Rick has eight years experience in First Nations politics and nine years working for a First Nation treaty organization. Rick has been working Nanwakolas since 2008.
Scott Harris
Nanwakolas Planner
scottharris [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Scott has been working with the Nanwakolas member First Nations since 1996 beginning with the Kwakiutl District Council where he worked briefly on the Vancouver Island CORE planning process and then onto the Central Coast Land and Coastal Resource Management Planning process. He moved to Nova Scotia for four years and completed a Masters degree in Recreation Management from Acadia University in 2005. His thesis was on the Role of Ecotourism in Aboriginal Community Development and he worked with a Mi'kmaq community in Prince Edward Island in this regard. Scott returned to North Vancouver Island to work with the Nanwakolas member First Nations in 2005. Scott's work with Nanwakolas has involved land use planning, conservancy management plans, ecosystem based management, detailed strategic plans and, presently, developing marine use plans for each of the member First Nations.
Erica Haunch
Referral Officer Assistant
ericahaunch [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Erica was born in Campbell River and is a member of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation. Erica majored in criminology and psychology, and then put school on hold and took advantage of a great opportunity to live in Bangkok, Thailand, for five months. After returning she began working as a Customer Service Representative at a local bank where she developed positive relationships with both Campbell River residents and businesses. Erica has been working for Nanwakolas since March 2010.
Greg Johnson
Marine Planning/GIS Analyst
gregjohnson [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Greg received a Bachelor of GIS from Selkirk College in 2006 and an Adventure Travel Guide Diploma from Thompson Rivers University in 2002. Prior to becoming the Marine Planning/GIS Analyst in January 2011, Greg worked as a Referrals Officer for Nanwakolas from October 2008 to December 2010. Before joining Nanwakolas Greg worked as a GIS Analyst for the provincial government where he created habitat capability ratings for the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. Additionally, Greg has spent over ten years working in the adventure tourism industry. He has filled roles from instructor and guide to management positions. One highlight of his career was working as the Chief Instructor at Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre.
Johnny Nelson
GIS Analyst
johnnynelson [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Johnny was born in Campbell River and is a member of the We Wai Kai First Nation. He received a Fisheries Resource Technicians Diploma from Malispina College and holds many other diplomas in GIS. Johnny started his resource-based career working in fisheries sector in 1997 and then as a GIS Analyst\Wildlife Resource Planner for a First Nations treaty organization in 1999. Johnny joined Nanwaolas in 2007.
Wendy Ravai, RFP
Forestry Referrals Officer
wendyravai [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Wendy moved to the north end of Vancouver island in 1997 after graduating from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor's degree in Forest Resource Management. She started her career engineering in Holberg. In 2002 she obtained her Registered Professional Forester designation and has since developed her career in forest recreation development, project management, and planning. As a forestry planner she has worked within all levels of development specializing in operational silviculture plans. Her career has allowed her to work in and experience many of the forests and lands under the Nanwakolas Council.
Chris Roberts
Regional Economic Development Coordinator
chrisroberts [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Chris, a member of the We Wai Kum First Nation, is very proud of his family lineage, which has strong ties to the Nakwaxda'xw and Laich-Kwil-Tach First Nations. He has a young family with his partner of eight years, and has a son and a daughter. Chris received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics with a minor in Indigenous Studies from the University of Victoria in 2008. After graduation, he entered the workforce as an Aboriginal Youth Intern with the Province of BC's Ministry of Technology, Trade, and Economic Development, working with their Aboriginal Economic Development Team. The yearlong internship provided Chris with the opportunity to do a work placement study with the Nanwakolas Council. Nanwakolas hired Chris in September 2009 following the completion of the internship program.
Aimee Warren, BSc., FIT
Executive Assistant / Referrals Officer
aimeewarren [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Aimee graduated from the University of Calgary in 2007 with a BSc in Geography/GIS. Between 2007 and 2010 Aimee developed a solid working foundation of the coastal forest industry through her work with forestry consulting and management companies. Through such work Aimee gained experience working in the bush in and out of logging camps, mostly on the North Island, with silvaculture, forest management, free growing and other surveys, Post Harvest Assessments and GIS. She is currently working toward completing the extra requirements before writing her Registered Professional Forester's (RPF) Exam in 2013. Aimee has been happily working with Nanwakolas since April 2010 and has enjoyed building relationships with the Chiefs and Council members, as well as with representatives from the province and forest companies.
Art Wilson
Referrals Office Manager
artwilson [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Art was born in Campbell River and is a member of the We Wai Kai First Nation. He received a Natural Resource Technology Diploma and Forestry Certificate from Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in 2003. Art began his resource-based career in 1998 working as a Forest Engineer in the coastal forest industry and then as a Forestry Coordinator for a First Nation treaty organization in 2003. Art joined Nanwakolas in 2007 as Referrals Officer, later becoming the Referrals Office Manager in 2008.
Curtis Wilson
Referrals Officer
curtiswilson [at] nanwakolas [dot] com
Curtis, whose traditional name is Mulidzas, is a member of the We Wai Kum First Nation. He was born, raised and currently lives in Campbell River with his wife of 9 years and his daughter and son. Curtis's family comes from the four corners of the Kwakwaka'wakw territory. His paternal grandparents come from Axwamees (Wakeman Sound), and We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge); and his maternal grandparents come from Ba'as (Blunden Harbour), and Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River). Curtis received a Bachelor of Arts degree in First Nations Studies and a minor in Canadian History from Malaspina University/College in 2002. Since graduating, Curtis has been working for his people and his community. Curtis has been working for the Nanwakolas since in 2007.