(she/her)
My education and career have been dedicated to supporting Indigenous self-determination and governance, and I have been blessed with the privilege to spend over twenty-five years working in my own home community of q̓ʷa:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen First Nation) in a leadership role as a member of Council, as well as in a variety of administrative roles in general operations; economic development; lands, resources, rights and title; and work as in-house legal counsel. I feel honoured for the opportunity to support and work with other Indigenous communities and clients.
I carry working knowledge and experience in complex negotiations, agreements, innovative partnership and co-management opportunities with all levels of government and third parties, along with development and implementation of on-reserve property taxation, land management and land code, various laws, policies and procedures in a variety of areas. Other practical experience includes active participation in various regulatory processes, rights and title advocacy, Specific Claim and litigation support, operations management, facilitation and strategic planning. Listening carefully to client needs and executing personalized, practical, solution-based support is paramount to how I approach my work.
I am excited by so many new and growing opportunities and initiatives for Indigenous governments, organizations, and individuals, while also recognizing capacity realities, and continued and frustrating inequities. I’m here to support, advocate and also to uphold honour and respect for sacred traditional Indigenous teachings to guide current and future generations on their journeys forward.
Personal fun facts: I treasure time with my beautiful and supportive family; I love sunshine and warmth like a cat; I love coffee any time; I get angry when I try and do hard puzzles; I love the power of artistic expression; and I am a music lover like my dad of all genres. I enjoy learning traditional Indigenous skills and crafts and am always deeply humbled by traditional ingenuity. My mom is a cedar weaver and teacher, and my uncle is a wool weaver, and I am mesmerized by this craft with a lot of learning and practice yet to do.
Contact Tumia