Surrounded by Cedar

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself: My ancestral name is Leggagwutz which means To Start Fire. I am Gitxsan from Gitsegukla in Hazelton, BC; and I also have Nisga’a ancestry on my father’s side.

I am one of our full-time Guardianship social workers. I graduated from the University of Victoria; School of Social Work – Indigenous Specialization in June 2007. I am honoured to be with Surrounded by Cedar and look forward to working with our children, families, and community. My work motto is “No Child Left Behind.”

My name is Tanille Johnston. I am Kwakiutl and a member of the Quinsam/Cape Mudge Band. I was born and raised in Campbell River but have been living and learning on Coast Salish Territory for the past seven years. I recently graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work specializing in Child Welfare and I also hold a Community Mental Health and Addictions Worker certificate from Camosun College. In the working world I also stand as the BC Aboriginal Liaison for the Canadian Federation of Students British Columbia.
In my “spare time” I like to keep active by going to hot yoga, running, riding my bicycle, and playing volleyball. And finally, one of my favorite things to do is to spend time with the love of my life, Corona. She is my soon to be six year old Dachshund who has been in my life since she was seven weeks old.

Hello, my name is Antelope Brenda Graham my mother’s people are Annishinabe/French from Sandy Lake area in Ontario, and my father’s people are Scottish/Iroquois from eastern Ontario. I have raised three healthy young adults and feel blessed by one grandson. I am married to a Design Engineer and Ceremonial singer and Sundancer. I have practiced Sundancer Ceremony for over 16 years. I Completed a Social Work degree within a First Nations Specialization at Uvic. I trained in Saskatchewan as a massage therapist in 1981 and practice for 20 years in the field of health and healing. I raised horses in Saskatchewan and LOVE to dance, swim and hike.

Tansi! I am the new Clinical Counsellor at SCCFS. I am Red River Métis on my father’s side and Scottish on my mother’s side. I was born and raised in Coast Salish territory and spent my youth exploring Vancouver Island. I have been lucky to be surrounded by culture all my life and can often be found Métis jigging or Highland flinging!

I have worked and volunteered within the local Aboriginal community for the past ten years and during that time have served young people as a youth program coordinator, policy advisor, youth advocate, and child and youth counsellor. I love the arts and use a lot of paint, clay, drama, and music in my counselling practice and am always looking for new creative ways to cope with life’s challenges. I also like to make space for cultural teachings and traditional ceremony in the counselling process and always include family and community resources. I have experience working with children and youth struggling from symptoms of abuse and neglect, traumatic grief, emotional and behavioural challenges and difficult life transitions. I have also developed group programming focused on identity and social skills development, cultural awareness, personal empowerment and leadership skills.

I am really looking forward to becoming a part of the SCCFS family and connecting with Elder’s and community mentors working with our children and youth.

Hello! My name is Sabrina Williams and I am the Cultural Programs Coordinator at Surrounded by Cedar. I am of Aboriginal and Welsh ancestry. My mother Rosalinda Williams (Brown), is a hereditary chief from Kyouquot and my father, late Robert Williams was from Cowichan Territory, (Samuna). I have 5 children, the eldest is Cheyenne, (20 years old), and I have two sets of twins; Keilah and Alana, and the youngest twins are Nat and Olivia.

Prior to being here, I was the Youth Centre Coordinator at Hiiye’ yu Lelum House of Friendship in Duncan for 7 1/2 years. I have worked also as an Adult Education Advisor and as retail manager for a Native Arts and Crafts gallery. I have found myself surrounded by such a loving team of individuals here who put their heart, soul and passion into their work. This is truly inspiring, I feel grateful and happy to be coming to a place I enjoy being every morning!

Peter Morin, ROOTS Connection Worker

Hello, my name is Peter Morin. I am from the Crow clan of the Tahltan Nation, of Telegraph Creek, BC. My home community is approximately 27 hours drive up north. I was born in Prince George, and grew up in Smithers BC. When I turned 15, my family decided to leave the north and move to surrey. A large part of my childhood, up the age of 25, was spent in a car driving back home, to visit family, get moose meat, and listen to stories.

When I think about the work that I’ve done to support our aboriginal youth voices, I know that it is these times and these stories that I draw my strength from. I’ve been working within our community for about ten years, working to support our aboriginal youth voices as best I can. I am very excited to be the new ROOTS Connection worker for Surrounded by Cedar. I look forward to connection more to this new community, and to supporting all our relations as best I can. Meduh!

Hello, my name is Maria Sampare and I am Gitxsan from Glen Vowell in Hazelton, BC on my mother’s side and Scottish/Danish-German on my father’s side. I am the proud mom of two beautiful children, my son Darian is twelve and my daughter Portia is seven.

I am pleased to say that I have lived on Coast Salish territory for the past twenty years and I thank the people of this territory for the opportunity this has afforded me. I am one of the book keepers at Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services. There is so much to be grateful for; to be working with such wonderful children, their families, as well as the most amazing team here at SCCFS! Haamiiyaa.

My name is Maren Gray, I am the Executive Assistant at Surrounded by Cedar and have been privileged to work here since July 2010. I am Norwegian and Irish on my fathers side, and Ukranian on my mothers side. I was blessed to be born and raised on Coast Salish Territory in beautiful Victoria, BC.

I am honoured to be part of the Surrounded by Cedar team and honoured to work with the Aboriginal community, children and families. All My Relations.

Charlene Barney, Administrative Assistant

My name is Charlene Barney. I am from the St’a’timc Nation in Lillooet, BC. I work at SCCFS as an Administrative Assistance two days a week. I’ve been here since August, 2004. I really enjoy working and hanging out in the Aboriginal community here in Victoria. I enjoy chatting and playing with the children who come to visit us here at SCCFS.

Hello, my name is Jan Theunisz. My east coast origins are German/Swiss on my mother’s side and unknown on my father’s side. My west coast family by marriage is Kwakwaka’wakw. We have a blended family of 1 son, 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren. I started working with Surrounded by Cedar in June as administrative assistant/reception and am so delighted to have found myself working with such intelligent, inspiring, culturally respectful, caring people who join me in grateful acknowledgment of the bounty and beauty of the ancestral lands of the Songhees and Esquimalt People.

Our Staff