About UNYA

Laura Beaudry

Board Member

Laura is Cree and Métis and a member of the Kapawe’no First Nation in Grouard, Alberta. She graduated from UBC with a BA in Anthropology (2019) and a Juris Doctor (2022). After graduation, Laura worked for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and she is now completing her law articles in Vancouver.

Maureen Buchan

Board Member

An Anishinaabe from Bearskin Lake First Nation in Northern Ontario, Maureen has over 15 years of experience working for First Nations Political Organizations. She has a Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance from the University of Victoria as well as an Advanced Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of Manitoba Maureen was formerly an Associate Faculty Member at the University of Victoria and has worked as a Policy Analyst and Specific Claims researcher for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC). She has been a Governor on the Law Foundation of BC since 2018 and sits as a Board Director on the Urban Native Youth Association. Maureen's other experience includes research work for various organizations including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, and Musqueum Nation. As co-founder of Sparrow-Grant Consulting, Maureen has provided policy, political, and strategic advice for a number of BC First Nations. A proud mother of two, Maureen currently resides on Musqueam Territory.

Leila Williams

Vice President

Huddih, Sigh sew zeh’ Leila Williams, Wit’suwet’en tsa ked dees zitd from Moricetown B.C. (Hello, My name is Leila Williams, I am Wit’suwet’en descent from Moricetown B.C). Leila has been a part of the UNYA community since 2004 in various roles; and experience of frontline support work within the Urban Indigenous community in Vancouver since 2014. I am currently pursuing post secondary education at NVIT in completing the Indigenous Human Services program to enhance the current community work I am involved in both personally and professionally. UNYA has always been considered my 3rd home and it has been a great space to grow from a youth to adult.

André Bessette

Treasurer

André Bessette is a grateful visitor to the ancestral lands of the Tsawwassen, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations since his birth. His roots are mixed settler of French and Croatian as well as Métis from the Red River Settlement on the ancestral territories of Anishinaabe and Néhiyaw Nations where Treaty 1 and 2 lay. As a disconnected urban Michif person, he is reconnecting with family, community, urban cousins, and culture. He came to know UNYA’s amazing work through his time as a Youth Native Courtworker with Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of BC. Over the past 10 years he has worked several positions at different Indigenous NPOs and government organizations. André teaches, performs, and competes in Métis jigging and square-dancing. He was taught by Yvonne Chartrand and many Métis dancers from Compaigni V’ni Dansi. When André isn’t dancing, he is a complete nerd, argues about politics, and consumes all kinds of media.

Matthew Norris

President

Matthew Norris is Nehithaw, Woodlands Cree, and is a member of the Lac La Ronge First Nation, Treaty 6, in Saskatchewan. He has a long history of political advocacy and community activism around issues related to climate and social justice initiatives with a specific focus on the recognition and implementation of the rights of Indigenous peoples. Matthew is employed as a Policy and Communications Specialist to the City of Vancouver, and is a PhD student in UBC's Political Science program.

Daniel Cook

Board Member

Daniel Cook is from the Huu-ay-aht First Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples on his father's side, and the Ganada Clan of the Nisga'a on his mother's side. His work in community organzations includes UNYA's Native Youth Drop-In Centre, and the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society.