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.