Primary Portfolio – Sustainability Development Pillar

Secondary Portfolio- Governance Pillar

Works with technical staff in Lands/Taxation Department, Economic Development and Adams Lake Development Corporation.  Her secondary pillar is the Governance Pillar.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to provide advocacy, leadership on political issues related to the areas of land use sustainability standards, initiatives, and planning.  Work and support Adams Lake Indian Band (ALIB) administrative staff on key and critical decision of the portfolio and present to Council table for their resolution.  Role in planning and implementing the political agenda to address jurisdiction and rights of ALIB.

Background:

Wéytk, Shelley Witzky re7 skwest.  Councillor (Tk’wemi’ple7) te Cstèlnec. My parents are Cecilia (nee Sampson) of Adams Lake and Hubert George of the Syilx Nation.  My Grandparents are Henry and Ann Sampson of Sahhaltkum (Adams Lake).

My goal is to learn and understand what the future needs are of the Adams Lake community and to contribute my efforts in what way I can.  I am also a strong believer in education, either post-secondary, in Trades, or culture/language.

Education:

–          4-year Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Victoria in Political Science and Anthropology

–          2-year Associate of Arts Degree at the Institute of Indigenous Government in Social and Economic Development and Indigenous Governance

–          Numerous Certificates: Career Counselling, Restorative Justice, Archival Practice, 2-week Outdoor Archaeological Field School (RISC), among others

Experience/Service:

I have experience in developing policy, drafting proposals, program management, and extensive research skills.

Accomplishments:

Facilitated five Open Houses within three Secwepemc local communities and helped develop an Indigenous Tourism Strategy for the Shuswap Region, co-built a team who drafted a proposal to hire an Indigenous Tourism Coordinator to implement strategy (2018-2022).

Assisted Joint Council, Negotiator, and Technical Working Group secure direct award contracts, employment, and training opportunities within the Trans-Canada Highway 1 expansion projects.

Developed a Youth Employment Pilot Program that successfully employed and/or trained over 200 Youth-at-Risk in the Okanagan; a significant government grant was awarded to implement program at five satellite offices.

Created the Secwepemc Landmarks Project with the three local Bands to create awareness of Secwepemc in our own Traditional Territory, artisans creating sculptures in key, highly visited areas, elders guiding the project and sharing personal stories of activities that Secwepemc did in those sculpture locations on storyboards.  This project has created 7 jobs with no Band funding, only outside funding so no financial burden on Bands funds.

Appointments to Boards and Committees

ALIB Committees:

-Adams Lake Water Group

– Switsemalph Homeowners Committee

– Others as required

External Appointments:

–          Secwepemc Landmarks Project

–          Mica Hunting Kekuli (plans to be built in 2022/2023)

–          Secwepemc Lakes Indigenous Tourism Advisory Group

–          Shuswap Trail Alliance