Leadership
The UNYA Board & Chief Executive exemplifies the leadership
of our youth.
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Leila Williams, President
Huddih, Sigh sew zeh’ Leila Williams, Wit’suwet’en tsa ked dees zitd from Witset B.C. (Hello, My name is Leila Williams, I am Wit’suwet’en descent from…
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André Bessette, Vice President
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…
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Laura Beaudry, Treasurer
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…
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Alaska Grayson-BigEagle, Secretary
Alaska Grayson-BigEagle is one of UNYA’s youth representatives on the UNYA Board. Alaska is currently in school and brings a strong skill set from being…
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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…
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Matthew Norris, Board Member
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…
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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…
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Edgard Villanueva-Cruz, Board Member
Edgard hail’s from the Tahltan nation with a values-driven approach to enterprising and community development. His deep understanding of off-reserve needs, combined with his entrepreneurial…
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Cheryl Robinson, Chief Executive Officer
Cheryl’s ancestral roots come from the St’at’imc and Nisga’a Nations, she has lived as a guest on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples…