Professional Experience
QQS PROJECTS SOCIETY
Executive Director, 2019-present
I was appointed Interim Executive Director in May of 2019 and formally accepted the E.D. role in 2020 as part of a recent leadership transition at Qqs. I am proud to support our transformative community projects that uplift Heiltsuk youth and families.
Communications / Fundraising Director, 2004-2019
Prior to taking on the role of Executive Director, I was responsible for telling the story of Qqs through our communications channels and our fundraising program. This included digital, print, and in-person engagement, and a blend of grant writing and donor relations.
Right Relations Collaborative
Co-Lead
The Right Relations Collaborative is a shared space for Indigenous leaders and funder partners who recognize the inequities, harms, and volatile future that is manifesting from our current disconnected and extractive financial system.
Through honest collaboration guided by Indigenous leaders, the Collaborative breaks down silos and barriers, increases the flow of funding into community-rooted work, and nurtures healthy relationships that support the restored and regenerative future we all envision.
Jess is proud to co-lead this space with Kim Hardy under the guidance of the Council of Aunties.
Coastal Foodways
Lead
Coastal Foodways is a support hub for Central Coast community champions who are building food systems resiliency in the places where they live and thrive.
Jess is proud to support the organization’s goal to break down the systemic barriers to food security, starting by creating resources and building capacity that make sense for our bioregion and cultural systems.
BOARD & COMMITTEE WORK
The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada (The Circle) transforms philanthropy and contributes to positive change between Philanthropy and Indigenous communities by creating spaces of learning, innovation, relationship-building, co-creation, and activation.
Board Member, THE CIRCLE ON PHILANTHROPY
Past Board Roles
Board Member, DOGWOOD INITIATIVE
Advisor, LEVEL PROGRAM VANCOUVER FOUNDATION
Board Member, NATURE UNITED
Board Member, PACIFIC INSTITUTE FOR
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
Advisor, RESILIENT INDIGENOUS LEADERS NETWORK
Advisor, SMALL CHANGE FUND
Board Member, WEST COAST ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Past Political Roles
From 2012-2021, I served as an elected representative on Heiltsuk Tribal Council. I acknowledge that tribal councils are inherently colonial institutions and believed at the time that I could foster change from within.
With the benefit of hindsight, I recognize that upholding colonial institutions is a form of upholding white supremacy and counter to the expression of Heiltsuk sovereignty.
When you know better, you do better; this is part of my personal learning journey.
UVIC GEOGRAPHY 453
Indigenous Resource Management
The Indigenous Knowledge, Science & Resource Management Field School (a.k.a. the "University of Koeye") is based in the remote Koeye River Watershed.
This field school connects students with Heiltsuk knowledge keepers to learn about Heiltsuk knowledge systems and stewardship priorities. Notably, all coursework must have applied use for land-based Heiltsuk youth or stewardship programs.
This field school began in 2013 and has been run most years since. I am proud to design and deliver this field school with my w̓aq̓vá du m̓áyáɫa Dr. Chris Darimont of Raincoast and the ACS Lab at UVic.