Skip to content

EAGLE

Join our email list

Privacy Information
You are here: Home » About Us » Staff

Staff

Document Actions

Under the direction of Executive Director Deanie Kolybabi, EAGLE's staff and contractors together create a work place where professionalism, accountability, respect and harmony are values that are fostered and upheld. (Click on name for 'Staff Biographies").

Staff:

 

Contractors:

Valerie Birdgeneau, (Déne Nation):  Development Officer - Valerie is a member of the Fort Nelson First Nation, located in northeastern British Columbia. She joined EAGLE in January 2006 as the Development Officer. Prior to joining EAGLE, Valerie was the Administrative Coordinator of Literacy Now at 2010 Legacies Now, working to assist communities to create legacies in literacy learning leading up to and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. She also served as Director and Assistant Director of Blueprint for the Future at the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation for five years, where she worked extensively on event management and fundraising. During her 15-year career in the non-profit sector, Valerie has also served as a social worker, researcher, program manager and administrator. Valerie is a graduate of the Ryerson University Bachelor of Social Work program, along with professional development studies in computers, business, event management and fundraising.

Michael Cousins B.A., M.A., LL.B. (Mohawk Nation):  Education Officer - Michael is a member of the Mohawk Nation, Wolf Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River. He holds a B.A. from Wilfred Laurier University, a LL.B. from the University of Saskatchewan, and a M.A. from Simon Fraser University. He has published in the areas of First Nations hunting/fishing rights and Aboriginal justice and has lectured on legal and First Nations studies topics. Michael has also sat on various boards and committees related to Aboriginal resources and education. Over the last 10 years he has worked in the areas of Aboriginal justice, hunting/fishing rights, Aboriginal child welfare/social services, and First Nations policing.

Gareth Duncan B.A., LL.B.: Lawyer - Gareth is a practising lawyer, specializing in the areas of environmental law, Aboriginal law and social justice. He has also served as the Director of several Non-Governmental Organizations whose mandates are geared towards environmental, social justice, consumer advocacy, public education and sustainable urban development issues.  In addition, Gareth has national and international publications regarding environmental law concerns and has lectured on the subject.

Arlene Haldane, (Haida Nation):  Office Assistant - Arlene is a member of the Haida Nation from the village of Skidegate. She is currently EAGLE’s office assistant and oversees administrative procedures within the office environment. Before Arlene came to EAGLE, Arlene was a deckhand on a seiner for eighteen years, and subsequently worked with the Pacific Association of First Nations Women and Leona M. Sparrow, Barrister & Solicitor.

Deanie Kolybabi:  Executive Director - Deanie is originally from Manitoba, where she founded her own Consultancy Firm in 1975.  Since that time she has worked with clients nationally and internationally, largely in areas of strategic development and cross cultural understanding.  Deanie has also been directly involved with many participants in the broadcast industry and is particularly proud of her role in the development and licensing of the world’s first national Aboriginal television network – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).  While there she launched what was then called the APTN Foundation; a not-for-profit organization designed to provide training and promote Aboriginal careers in radio and television.  Subsequently Deanie has worked with many Aboriginal Peoples – most recently in Canada as Interim Executive Director of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.  A practiced lecturer on gender and cultural diversity communications, she has presented at colleges and universities in Canada and the north-western United States.  Deanie was also a resource for the Canadian Heritage Task Force for Diversity and an honorary member of the National Aboriginal Journalists Association.  She continues to be involved as the elected inaugural Chair for SABAR: Strategic Alliance of Broadcasters for Aboriginal Reflection. Deanie, who is of Inuit descent, is thrilled to be living in British Columbia and is particularly passionate about utilizing her executive management experience to facilitate the progression of EAGLE to the next phase of growth and development.

Evelyn Wedley: CGA Controller - Evelyn graduated as a Certified General Accountant in 1987. In addition, she has a Diploma of Technology from BCIT (Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Management) and an Accounting Diploma from Douglas College. Formerly, Evelyn owned and operated a professional accounting practice and has cultivated her skills contracting with other practitioners and teaching part-time at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She has also volunteered for various sports organizations and the CGA Association, with 10 years at the local chapter level and 6 years on the Provincial Board. Currently, she serves as the President of the British Columbia Block Parent Society.

CONTRACTORS:

Monique Manatch (Algonquin): Contractor - Monique is Algonquin from the Algonquins Barriere Lake.  After graduating from the Humber College Radio Broadcasting program, Monique spent several years as a creative writer, commercial announcer and producer in mainstream radio.  In 1994, Monique began training First Nations people in radio broadcasting. For several years Monique created and implemented youth focused training, experiential learning projects and a post secondary program in Journalism.  In May 2004, Monique helped to found Indigenous Culture and Media Innovations, where she is currently the Executive Director.  ICMI is a multi media arts training centre, based on Six Nations with a satellite office in Hamilton.

Lorna Visser:  Development Associate -Lorna Visser, principal of Carmanah Strategies, has 25 years experience as a newspaper journalist, magazine editor, corporate communications professional, Executive Director of an environmental non-profit organization, grant maker, advisor/researcher for foundations, fund raiser, development manager, and Board Member for a broad range of non-profit organizations. Her post-secondary degree is in journalism, following which, she worked for several years as a journalist at The Albertan newspaper. Lorna has acted as Development Manager for the Sierra Legal Defence Fund and the Canadian Red Cross Society, and has a 17-year history in the corporate sector, working in the oil industry as a communications professional.

Debra Hoggan:  Special Projects Co-ordinator
Debra is an Aboriginal consultant who has an extensive background working with a variety of nonprofit and community organizations. She has provided fund raising support and assistance to numerous organizations that provide a variety of services to the Aboriginal community. She has worked with Indigenous peoples at the community level, provincially, nationally and internationally.
Debra is also an entrepreneur. She has owned three Native art galleries and one clothing store. She has provided business support to Aboriginal entrepreneurs both on and off the reserve. As Business Advisor with the Center for Native Small Business she developed and delivered Native entrepreneurial training programs throughout the province. Through the Surrey Self-Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Society Debra also assisted new Canadians with the preparation of a business plan and the launching of their new business ventures.
Debra has served on various Boards and Advisory Committees. She is currently a Director of the Surrey Foundation. She is also in the final year of a four-year appointment as a member of the Multicultural Advisory Council for the Government of BC that provides advice to the Minister on promoting multiculturalism and antiracism in BC. She was a founding member of the Aboriginal Peoples Business Association and served on the Board of Directors. She served as Vice-Chair of the Sto:lo Development Corporation. Debra was a member of the Businesswomen’s Advocate Working Advisory Committee with the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture for five years.
Debra holds a Diploma in Arts and Sciences from Vancouver Langara College. She has also completed the Administration of Aboriginal Governments Program at the University of Victoria. She graduated with a Small Business Development Certificate at Vancouver Langara College. She is currently completing the Fund Raising Management Program at BCIT and is also working towards Certified Fundraiser certification.
Debra resides in White Rock with her husband and two children.

Back to top
powered by Plone | site by ONE/Northwest