Board of Directors

Brenda worked with OIB on the marketing and development of Nk’ mip Desert Cultural Centre and was responsible for project planning, product and program development, marketing, fundraising, and management of the 12 million dollar capital project.

Brenda was Director, Aboriginal Business Showcase for the Four Host Nations at the 2010 Olympics. She has also held the position of Chief Administration Officer for the Tsleil Waututh First Nation, where she worked with the leadership, staff, and community in the areas of economic, social, and community development, and administration and governance. Brenda actively promotes tourism as a foundation for socio-economic development for Indigenous communities.

Lori sat on the technical working board for the Four Host First Nations Olympic Secretariat and volunteered with Start-Up Canada. She was involved in the development of Takaya Tours Inc., an award-winning tourism business, and in teaching a course on Indigenous Tourism at the Canadian Tourism College in Vancouver.  She is appointed to the Board of Governors of Royal Roads University.   She currently operates Spal General Constructors Corp. as CEO and is co-owner of Unity Clothing Inc. in North Vancouver.

The recent sale of Kekuli Cafe Merritt makes Kekuli the first Indigenous restaurant franchise in Canada, with many more franchises to come. Sharon shares her Nlaka’pamux heritage and traditions at Kekuli, to educate the public, create a welcoming environment, and bring Indigenous foods and tourism offerings to the public. She offers her passion, perseverance, knowledge of business start-ups, outside-the-box thinking, and strong sense of sustainable and social responsibility to Indigenous Tourism BC.

With a Bachelor of Tourism Management and a Minor in Recreation from Vancouver Island University, Chyanne’s passion is for creating capacity within Indigenous communities through tourism development while aiding in cultural revitalization. Chyanne is the Office Manager for her Nations award – winning ecotourism business, Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours, which welcomes visitors to experience the traditional lands of the Homalco people in Bute Inlet, BC.

Maria is a longstanding Tofino local with family ties to the land. As the Assistant General Manager at Tin Wis Best Western, Maria prides herself on the many hats she wears at Tin Wis. She plays an integral role in the guest experience, leading a staff of 75 and overseeing many day-to-day operations. Maria is currently completing a Human Resource Certification from Cornell University and holds numerous certifications through Best Western International University and professional associations.

During her tenure at Tis Wis Resort, Maria has advanced through a number of key roles and received an Award of Excellence for Housekeeping. Maria is grateful to call Tofino home, and she finds joy in sharing its history with visitors from across the globe.

Maria’s is on a new chapter in life with grown children and new grandchildren, her time is dedicated to discovering untraveled places on the Island and in BC.

Recipient of “Youth Entrepreneur of the Year” 2019 ANTCO. Recipient of “Young Indigenous Business of the Year” 2021 for BC Achievement Foundation. 27 year old Indigenous Leader from Nuxalk Nation, and I am the owner/operator of Kekuli Cafe in Merritt and Kamloops. 

Dedication and leadership have driven my success over the last decade. From being the first Indigenous Cuisine Franchise in Canada at 22, to being the President of BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres at 25. I have had the opportunity to create safe spaces for our young aspiring indigenous people. Including hosting Gathering our Voices 2016-2023, and being a co-developer for an MBA in Advanced Reconciliation through UVic. 

Indigenous Governance, Youth mentorship, Leadership Training, Cultural Gatherings, Reconciliation implementations, and Economic Development. These are a few skillsets that all coincide with the work I will bring to Indigenous Tourism of BC. I believe that our Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today. If we are thinking of tomorrow, it’s already too late. 

Kathy is Nuu Chah Nulth married into and a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation; and mother of four beautiful children. As an experienced educator, coach, mentor, and certified life skills instructor, I remain committed to being a lifelong learner.

She completed the Indigenous Corporate Relations and Knowledge Management programs Royal Roads University. In addition I have attained certificates in tourism programs through Malaspina College, (VIU) and other managerial and computer courses through PBS in Vancouver. All of which helped become founder and creator of the Bella Bella Business Service Centre, Bella Bella Call Centre, http://www.nalaservices.com/

Kathy taught at the Heiltsuk College in Bella Bella for several years. She has supported and been a participant on the tribal journeys for the past seven years. She enjoys canoeing and being out on the water.

Kiʔsuʔk kyuyit q̓ api niskiⱡ, suʔkni ku ʔupxnaⱡaʔni Hu qakⱡik Leanna Gravelle. ʔaⱡ ka ʔa·knik ̓ n̓ini Roberta ȼ Pat Gravelle, ʔaⱡ ka·kuk ̓pukam n̓ini Mary Louise Mission ȼ Anne ȼ Alexander Gravelle, ka ʔaȼmiⱡ Joe and Helen Mission ȼ Catherine and Ambrose Gravelle. I am Leanna Gravelle, my parents are Roberta and Pat Gravelle, my grandparents are Mary-Louise Mission and Annie and Alexander Gravelle, my great-grandparents are Joe and Helen Mission and Catherine and Ambrose Gravelle.

As the Director of Operations/Programming at the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre for the Ⱡkamnin̓tik Children’s Truth and Reconciliation Society located in the St. Eugene’s Golf Resort and Casino and 24 years at the St. Eugene Mission Development Corporation Board member and Bare Trustee, I have the opportunity to share Ktunaxa culture, language, knowledge and history to resort guests, schools, corporations and industry. My work also involves developing experiences and programs that support our youth, Elders, knowledge carriers with sharing their knowledge and building pride, and so others gain greater understanding of who we are as Ktunaxa and other First Nations and Indigenous people. In 2022, I became a certified trainer of several ITBC Indigenous tourism programs.

As a member of the ITBC Board of Directors I also bring knowledge and experiences in strategic planning and board development, as a Tobacco Plains Indian Band Councillor (6 years), Member of the Tobacco Plains Development Corporation for 7.5 years of which I have Chaired for 6.5 years. The experience I gained as a Social Development worker/Income assistance worker/ Social and Education Coordinator/Social and Education Manager for my Band for 20 years, and in the Ktunaxa Nation Traditional Knowledge and Language sector, Education and Employment sector, and as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for 7 years, plus a Ktunaxa language instructor at the College of the Rockies (COTR) for three years, enables me to guide the Indigenous tourism in British Columbia in experience and training development, as well as culture and language protocols. I have worked in various capacities over the years in Indigenous tourism and Nation development, I understand Indigenous tourism’s importance to building Nations and partnerships through sharing of our histories and languages today and long into the future.

Alison Evans is the co-founder of Gulf Island Seaplanes, a seaplane business on the West Coast of British Columbia established in 2014. Combining a love of adventure and travel, Alison and her husband and co-founder, Sean, have worked extremely hard to grow their business. Their dedication has cultivated a strong reputation for excellent customer service, safety, and attention to detail. As an Indigenous female business owner and mother of four, the journey has been both a challenging and rewarding experience. Surrounding the business with strong, incredibly hard working and loyal staff has been the key to the success of Gulf Island Seaplanes.

Alison is a Gitxsan from the Hagwilget Village First Nation, living the past 15 years in Nanaimo on the beautiful lands of the Snuneymuxw people. Their business operates across many unceded sacred territories and gives thanks to the ancestors who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, and taken care of the lands. Indigenous tourism is a rapidly growing industry and a huge part of the rebounding Canadian economy. Alison believes that creating a cultural flight experience not only contributes to reconciliation but is also an opportunity to showcase the resilience and triumphs of the local Indigenous peoples.

Desiree Baker is from the ‘Namgis First Nation (Alert Bay, B.C.). She was raised by her adopted family in the Fraser Valley and currently splits her residency between the Okanagan and the Fraser Valley. She’s a daughter, mother, proud Grandma and Auntie.

Desiree Baker, a proud member of the ‘Namgis First Nation from Alert Bay, B.C., brings with her deep-seated roots in Indigenous communities. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Desiree is a devoted mother, proud Grandma, and cherished Auntie, embodying the core values of family and community in all aspects of her life. With an extensive background spanning Community and Economic Development, Health Services, and Tourism, Desiree boasts over 30 years of invaluable experience in empowering Indigenous communities.

Her proficiency in grant writing has led to the successful acquisition of over $8.5 million in funding for clients across Canada, the USA, and Jamaica, making a tangible impact on community development and sustainability. Notably, Desiree actively collaborates with key organizations such as Destinations BC, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to advancing Indigenous businesses and communities. Through her work, she adeptly navigates cultural protocols and First Nation dynamics, fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change in the Indigenous tourism sector and beyond. With her wealth of experience and dedication, Desiree continues to be a driving force in empowering Indigenous voices and initiatives across the globe.