Neil Belanger (Maluu’m Amxsiwaa)
Executive Director exdir@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 208 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 208
Neil’s Bio – Neil Belanger is a member of the Lax Se el Clan (Frog) in the House of Nika’teen within the Gitxsan First Nation. Neil has worked successfully with a variety of First Nation organizations across British Columbia in his role as a health consultant and Executive Director, in addition to being the Executive Director for various health and disability organizations throughout his career both in British Columbia and in Saskatchewan.
Trina (Trixie Driftwood) Lohr
Finance finance@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 210 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 210
Trina’s Bio – Trina Lohr over the span of her career has established an impressive record of accounting and auditing services as a contracted Accountant (CPA, CGA) for a variety of organizations across British Columbia. Trina brings to the Society a wealth of financial skills and abilities. Unfortunately, Trina is allergic to coffee, that is to say, allergic to making it, not drinking it, as we have only seen her make it once at BCANDS and that was back in the 90’s. Yah, Trina, that’s right, when the machine is empty, make some more!
Alec Lohr
Finance Manager
finance@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 210 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 210
Alec’s Bio – Alec possesses several years of bookkeeping and accounting experience and brings a wealth of financial and IT leadership to the Society. Born and raised in Victoria, BC, one of Alec’s lifetime dreams is to, one day, be able to visit the Pacific Ocean. In his spare time Alec enjoys words that rhyme with baloney, hockey and coleslaw making.
Alexandra Pierik Office Coordinator
rsw@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 202 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 Ext: 202
Alex‘s Bio – Alex is a graduate from the University of Victoria majoring in English with a minor in political science. Alex brings extensive experience in working with people and volunteers for Together Against Poverty. In addition to her duties as the BCANDS Office Coordinator, Alex is in charge of security using her kickboxing skills to keep the team safe, and Kelsey and Cindy in line.
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Kelsey Finlay Senior Disability Case Manager
DCM1@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 214 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 Ext: 214 Skype ID: dcmbands
Kelsey’s Bio – Kelsey is a graduate from the University of Victoria’s School of Social Work and is a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation in Newfoundland. Kelsey brings much energy, humour and her great desire to assist others, honed through her previous roles within the human and social services sectors. Kelsey excels at a variety of things including the “Gangnam Style” dance (Inter-provincial champion) and microwaving popcorn. In her spare time Kelsey enjoys looking at things.
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Kathleen Hoogendoorn Disability Case Manager DCM2@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 205 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 205 Skype ID: DCM2.bcands
Kathleen’ Bio – Kathleen Hoogendoorn, besides having a great last name, is originally from Haiti and is the University of Victoria’s 2017 Diversity Spoken Word Award recipient. Kathleen brings great experience in working with marginalized populations with a focus on youth. Kathleen enjoys pen cap collecting, calling her BCANDS team mates “anguilliform” and peanut shells that look like someone famous.
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Melissa Aird
Disability Case Manager DCM3@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 215 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 215
Melissa’s Bio – Melissa is a graduate of Interdisciplinary Studies in Indigenous Studies, Cultural Anthropology and English, from Thompson River University and a Masters student of the University of Victoria’s Indigenous Governance Program. Melissa is a member of the Saulteau First Nations located in northeastern British Columbia. Melissa has extensive experience working in a variety of sectors over her career. Melissa enjoys putting together IKEA furniture, occasionally showing up for work, drinking out of pickle jars and stapling.
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Practicum Student / BCANDS Case Management Services practicum1@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 213 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 213
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Practicum Student / BCANDS Case Management Services practicum2@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 211 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 211
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Federal Accessibility Coordinator accessibility@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 201 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 212
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Cindy Rebain Persons with Disabilities / Monthly Nutritional Supplement Program Assistant / Adjudicator pwd@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 206 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 206 Skype ID: pwdbcands
Cindy’s Bio – Cindy has worked extensively within the education and disability benefits sectors both here in Canada and the United States. Cindy enjoys beef Jerky flavored teas (hard to find) and throwing things at colleagues as they walk by her office.
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Margo Bok Persons with Disabilities / Monthly Nutritional Supplement Adjudicator (250) 381 – 7303 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511
Margo’s Bio – Margo brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Society through her previous work within the disability sector of British Columbia. Margo is a co-founder of the Canadian / BC Associations of Professionals with Disabilities which was established in 2003. Originally hailing from Alberta, one of Margo’s long-time goals is to visit her home province’s famous Vegreville egg!
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Debi LaHaise Indigenous RDSP Navigator
rdsp1@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 204 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 204
Debi’s Bio – Debi is of Métis ancestry and has worked in the financial world for over the past 20 years in areas ranging from financial planning, to developing financial literacy programs. Debi is known and the “therminator” at BCANDS destroying anyone who sets the temperature to anything lower than 70.
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Evelyn Huntjens Senior Indigenous RDSP Navigator
rdsp2@bcands.bc.ca (250) 381 – 7303 – Ext: 203 Toll Free: 1-888-815-5511 – Ext: 203
Evelyn’s Bio – Evelyn is a member of the Xeni Qwet’in Nation located in the Nemiah Valley in British Columbia. Evelyn brings over ten years of successful experience in financial / wealth planning, gained through holding lead positions with various financial institutions. Evelyn enjoys stamp collecting (usually unused ones from our office), staring and rock, paper scissors seminars.
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Alison Davis – Disability Case Manager – *Currently on Leave
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Carrie Tom – Resource / Support – *Currently on Leave
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BCANDS VOLUNTEERS!!
The Board and BCANDS Team wish to recognize and thank our dedicated volunteer Tom Morrow. Tom has volunteered his time to the Society over the past few years, assisting to help the Society in meeting its mandate and in providing responsive and quality disability and health related services for our clients and communities. Tom is from the Lyackson First Nation.
Thank you Tom!!
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The Board and BCANDS team would like to recognize and thank our dedicated volunteer / advisor Mr. Blair MacKenzie. Blair has volunteered his time, energy and has freely shared his knowledge with the Society’s leadership over the past several years, assisting the Society in ensuring the delivery of quality disability and health services for our clients and communities.
Thank you Blair!
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PRACTICALLY PERFECT!!
BCANDS is very privileged to enjoy long standing and successful partnerships with the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus, Camosun College and the University of Victoria through the placement of practicum students from their schools within the Society.
We sincerely thank each student for their dedicated work with our clients and services and wish them all success in their studies and their future career paths!
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A FEW OF BCANDS PAST PRACTICUMS / STAFF
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The Board and BCANDS team wishes former Case Manager Ms.Tess Raithby much success as she leaves the Society to continue her education. Thank you for everything Tess, you will be missed, particularly your proof reading skills!
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The Society wishes Denise Lecoy, our former practicum student in the Masters in Social Work Practicum Student from the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus much success in her future studies and her future career path!
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The Society wishes Leeanne “Gertie” Kicks all the best in the future. Leeanne completed her practicum at BCANDS through the Social Work program at the University of Victoria.
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The BCANDS team would like to recognize and thank our former team member, Ms. Betty Melo for her dedication and hard work at the Society over the past years. We wish Betty much success, health and happiness and look forward to hopefully working with her in her new position in the future!
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The Society would like to thank Aura who completed her practicum at BCANDS through the School of Social Work at the University of Victoria. We wish Aura much success as she moves forward in her studies and future career!
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The Society would like to thank Diana who completed her practicum at BCANDS through the School of Social Work at the University of Victoria. We wish Diana much success in the future!
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The Society would like to thank Ms Julianna Chapman who completed her practicum at BCANDS through the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria. We wish Julianna much success in the future!
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The Society would like to thank Ms Kymber Gale who completed her practicum at BCANDS through the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria. We wish Kymber much success in the future!
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The BCANDS team would like to thank Jason Duder who completed his practicums at Society through the Indigenous Family Support Worker program at Camosun College. We wish Jason much success as he moves forward in his career in social services!.
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BCANDS was pleased to have partnered with the Pro Bono Students Canada – University of Victoria Chapter and Donovan & Company, a legal firm based in Vancouver specializing in Aboriginal law, during the 2014 / 2015 year. BCANDS wishes each of our Pro Bono students much success in their future studies!
2014 – 2015 Pro Bono Student Volunteers
Carolyn Leblanc: Carolyn was a first-year law student with a degree in Indigenous Social Work and Applied Business from Laurentian University. Carolyn has written several major papers on disability services and aboriginal law and has worked as a Community Paralegal Advocate assisting various individuals with limited access to justice. Thank you Carolyn!
Karlene Ostrosky: Karlene was a first-year law student with a degree in Canadian history, specializing in Indigenous studies. Karlene has been a passionate advocate within the Idle No More movement and has previously worked for the First Nations Student Society. Thank you Karlene!
Maheegan Armstrong: Maheegan was a first-year law student with a degree in Art History and is passionate about Aboriginal law. Maheegan has worked as a volunteer performing sweat lodges for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine alongside the Director of Aboriginal Affairs. Thank you Maheegan!
The Society would like to thank Steven Kormendy who completed his practicum at BCANDS through the School of Social Work at the University of Victoria. We wish Steven much success as he moves forward in his studies and career!.
The BCANDS Board of Directors and Team would like to sincerely thank Reima-Lee Sellers from the Soda Creek First Nation and who completed her practicum at BCANDS while in her Master’s of Social Work at the University of Victoria. We wish Reima-Lee much success in the future!
The BCANDS Board and Team would like to thank Ingrid Taschuk for her time at the Society. Ingrid a member of the Qualicum First Nation and completed her practicum as a student from Discovery Community College enrolled in the Community Support Worker- Mental Health Program. We wish Ingrid much success in the future!
The BCANDS Board of Directors and team members Society would like to sincerely thank Mr. Trynn Bob who completed his practicum with us from the Indigenous Family Support Worker Program at Camosun College. Trynn was a great help and great team member and we wish him much success for the future!
The BCANDS Board of Directors and team members would like to sincerely thank Ms Michelle Sutherland who completed her practicum in the Masters of Social Work Program – Indigenous Specialization at the University of Victoria at BCANDS. Michelle brought much knowledge and passion during her time at BCANDS and we wish her much success in her future work.
The BCANDS Board of Directors and team members would like to sincerely thank Mr. Matthew Cook who completed his practicum with BCANDS as a Social Work student at the University of Victoria. Mathew accepted a new position with an associated agency, during his last days with our Society and we wish him much success in his new career!
The Board and BCANDS Team wish to thank Mr. Gilbert James who completed his practicum with BCANDS as a Student from the University of Victoria – Social Work Program Indigenous Specialization!!
Thank you Gilbert for all you work and insight, we wish you much success for the future and know you will do well!
The Board and BCANDS Team would like to sincerely thank Ms. Ange Courtoreille – Practicum Student – Camosun College – Indigenous Family Support Program, who completed her placement with the Society.
Thank you for your hard work Ange and your contribution to the Society and our client services!! We wish you much success in your future studies and know you will do well!!
The Board and BCANDS Team would like to recognize and congratulate Ms. Jamie Seaweed who worked with the Society as a 4th Year Practicum Student from the University of Victoria – Social Work, Indigenous Specialization and completed her studies in April, 2013.
Great job Jamie and thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the Society and our clients, we know you will do well in your future endeavors!!