Staff
Shelagh Bontron (Office Manager)
Duties include:
- Coordination and processing of accounts payable and receivable.
- Accurate and timely preparation of payrolls, maintenance of payroll accounts and payment of payroll taxes and related liabilities.
- Performs various general accounting functions such as journal entries, account reconciliations, special reports, pension fund contributions, etc.
- Financial support and advisory assistance to other staff and community members.
Shaunee Casavant (Chief Councillor)
Duties include:
- Foster an atmosphere of inclusiveness and confidence while improving the quality of life for Hupacasath community members
- Establish partnerships and supportive relationships in all sectors to advance Economic Development
- Build on strengths of the community and provide excellent administration with competent staff
- Facilitate family togetherness and involvement of youth
- Contribute to the well being of all in our traditional territory as we play a lead role in cultural tourism
- Respect other viewpoints while asserting Hupacasath viewpoints
- Prepare our youth to be successful parents and good citizens
- Facilitate a resurgence of Hupacasath language and Hupacasath cultural practices
- Seek out opportunities to increase our land base and increase housing options for community members
See Shaunee's Councillor Profile.
Vanessa E. Charlong (Administrative Officer)
Vanessa is a member of the HFN and has been with the staff since the new hall opened in January 2002. She is the daughter of Sandra Vissia and her grandmother was the late Nessie Watts. She grew up in Courtenay and moved to Port Alberni in 1998 and has 2 teenage children, Lily and Slade.
Duties include:
- Reception, hall rentals, and other office-related activities
- Medical/patient travel, education,
- Business by-laws, tobacco sales.
Robert Duncan (Chief Executive Officer)
Robert joined the Hupacasath First Nation in August of 2008 and brings a wealth of economic development knowledge to the HFN.
The CEO’s overall function is for the overall development and management of the Hupacasath First Nation government and businesses. As the senior executive reporting directly to the elected Chief and Council you are responsible for all senior external government to government negotiations, business development, securing of program funding, budget development and fiscal management.
Christina Hamilton
Christina Hamilton (nee Gosnell) is originally from (Gitlaxdamix) also known as New Aiyansh, BC and has lived in Hupacasath for the past 16 years with her husband George and 5 children. She received an “Office Assistant I “certificate from North Island College some years ago and has enjoyed working for the Hupacasath First Nation Treaty Department since being hired in 2007.
Duties include: General office support for Treaty Department
Rodney Hartman, C.A., C.F.P. (Chief Financial Officer)
Duties include: Overseeing the financial budgeting, processing and reporting for the Hupacasath First Nation, Upnit Power and other Hupacasath entities.
Robin Klatt (Tutor)
Robin has been with HFN for 18 years in which she has spent all of those years helping our youth with homework and other issues. Throughout this period Robin has been able to garner great support from the S.D.#70 teachers and am able to access their resources when needed. Having a background in child psychology and early childhood development Robin has an acute understanding of each child's needs.
Warren Lauder (Councillor/Forest Resource Manager)
Duties include: Managing the Hupacasath Woodlot foremost. Other employment and revenue making ventures include seeking out small enterprise opportunities such as logging salvage proposals, bidding on tenders, proposal writing, all other revenue and employment associated opportunities. Hupacasath is a registered safe company with Work Safe B.C. This responsibility includes upholding a safe work environment and documentation annually for review and audit. (See Warren's Councilor Profile)
Murray Matchett (Housing Coordinator)
Murray joined HFN in January of 2008 as a much needed Housing Coordinator. Murray brings a wealth of construction management experience to the job.
Duties include:
- Act as a resource to the Housing Committee and attend all meetings, as well as provide support and information at such meetings
- Respond to and address issues relative to property, housing, renovations, and the maintenance of the housing waiting list(s) Ensure housing payments are maintained
- Conduct necessary home inspections
- Serve eviction notices to residents when it is deemed necessary
- Submit applications for funds to support the housing program
- Liaise with secondary funding sources for potential support
Margaret Onyschtschuk (Accounting Technician)
Margaret was born and raised in Port Alberni and has been with the HFN for 1.5 years. In her spare time she enjoys playing horseshoes and quilting.
Duties include:
- Monthly account reconciliations
- General journal entries
- Accounts payable and Account receivable maintenance
- GST/PST returns
- Other accounting and administrative functions
Charles Allen Ross, aka Kaanowish (Fisheries/Wildlife Manager)
Al Ross (Kaanowish) is deeply connected to the HFN as one of the hereditary chiefs of HFN. Al acquired extensive experience in the fishing industry prior to serving as Fisheries & Wildlife Manager.
Duties includes:
- Develops and delivers effective fisheries and wildlife programs and ensures the resources obtained are used efficiently and in accordance to Council's objectives.
- Develops and delivers fisheries and wildlife management and environmental stewardship processes and practices.
- Articulates short and long term plans for the department and makes recommendations on department operations.
- Provide management supervision and direction to seasonal fishery crews by planning, assigning and supervising their work
- Responsible for the maintenance of detailed reports and records of department data
- Develops new ways to bring added value to the overall fisheries and wildlife harvest
Al also has training within the Wildlife program which involves the monitoring of the Elk harvest within our territories and the assessments of elk and deer populations within our water sheds. He is also pursuing a program which involves the Bear Awareness that deals with problem bears within our communities.
Carolina Tatoosh (Youth & Elders Coordinator)
Carolina's position at the Hupacsath First Nations is to coordinate activities that are to take place in the community. She also works with the youth and seniors. With the youth she is to plan activity after school or during holidays. With elders, Carolina plan activities depending on budget. If there is time in her scheduleshe will also write small proposals. Carolina work for the Hupacasath band part time.
Paulette Tatoosh (Social Development)
Paulette received her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from University of Victoria (UVIC), BC and am currently working towards completing a Master of Social Work Degree at University of Victoria. In addition, she completed Level III Trauma Counselor Training in 2007, through the Foundation for Human Enrichment (www.traumahealing.com) and sponsored by the Nuuchahnulth Tribal Council.
In 1996, she received an Accounting Office Assistant Certificate through North Island College and started working in the Hupacasath Social Development department on Friday, June 13, 1996.
Steven Tatoosh (Councillor / Natural Resource Manager)
Duties include: to manage the department to ensure sufficient protection of Hupacasath rights and titles. This includes data base management, administrative reporting, and staff supervision.
Essential functions include:
- Review all resource referrals to identify potential conflicts and to ensure the community’s rights are protected.
- Develop and maintain a TUS Data Base, archaeological resources and sites of cultural importance, Cedar access strategy, and Land Use Plans.
- Coordinate with the support of the CEO any fisheries, forestry and archaeology resources with respect to agency referrals and surveys.
- Key liaison with intergovernmental processes.
(See Steve's Councillor Profile)
Tracy Watts (Custodianl Technician