Our Team
The work at the Qwelmínte Secwépemc office (QSO) could not be done without the strong leadership and technicians on the ground. At the QS Office, the staff work to move forward the actions and goals which the collective sets. The staff at the QS Office come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing together their unique experiences and expertise to inform and support the work of the Government-to-Government (G2G) collective.
Hunter Lampreau
Skú7pecen Journey Director
Hunter is a member of the Secwépemc Nation, Neskonlith on his mother's side, Simpcwemc on his Fathers. He was given the Secwépemc name of Peyecw7, which means ‘provider for his own’ at birth by his Kyé7e, Mary Thomas Sr. Growing up immersed in cultural activities on the land, he developed a connection, and admiration for the resources Secwépemc culture relies on for its continuity.
Recognizing the trends of decline in wildlife, habitat and cultural resources, he elected to pursue a career in environmental policy, grounded in the teachings of the Skú7pecen Telling, and the necessity for the new era of environmental policy to recognize and enable governments to Walk on Two-Legs.
Hunter strongly believes the paradigm shift required to establish effective environmental stewardship policies is intertwined with the need for systemic transformation that builds bridges between cultures, and allows for Secwépemc principles, laws, and jurisdiction to be recognized and respected.
Outside of the office, Hunter can be found pursuing his passion for mule deer, cooking, and quality time with loved ones.
Charlotte Rose
Lawyer / In-house Legal Counsel
Charlotte is proudly from both the Dakelh and Stó:lō Nations. On her maternal side, she is a proud member of both the Maiyoo Keyoh Whut’enun (customary homelands) and Nak’azdli Whut’en. Her father belongs to S'olh Temexw (Stó:lō territory) and is a member of Semá:th or also known as Sumas First Nation. Charlotte's upbringing in an environment that prioritized the protection of customary ancestral territory, known as a keyoh, instilled in her a strong commitment to upholding Indigenous / Dakelh laws within the western legal framework, even in the face of challenging consultative processes. This experience fuelled her passion for working with Indigenous Nations to advance their legal systems and principles, aligning with the overarching objectives of implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) via the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) in BC.
Charlotte has been a humbled First Nation guests within Secwepemcúl̓ecw for 15+ years and has had the honour of being welcomed into the Secwépemc Nation. She, like her colleagues, has had the privilege to Walk in Two-Worlds (Indigenous and Western) with her work, education, and livelihood where she has learnt from Secwépemc Knowledge Carriers, Elders and others within the Secwépemc Nation. In this journey, she has also obtained a Certificate in Aboriginal Studies, Associate of Arts degree, Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Juris Doctor degree.
Charlotte began her journey with the QS Office as one of four in the inaugural 2019 cohort of QS interns. Guided by her Ancestors and with the unwavering support / vision of the QS, she completed her articles and was called to the BC Bar in 2021, where she humbly holds the position of QS In-House Legal Counsel to lend her support in advancing the rights and interests of the QS Signatories and their respective Campfires.
Drew Rose
Knowledge Builders Program (KBP) Coordinator
Drew is a proud Nehiyaw (Cree) from Mikisiwachíhk (Eagle Hills, Red Pheasant Cree Nation) of the Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatchewan and it is his Indigeneity that helps shape his approach in engaging and inspiring Indigenous students, where they can relate to, and feel supported and valued in their everyday lives.
He, and his family are humble First Nation guests on Secwepemcúl̓ecw and have had the honour of being welcomed into the Secwépemc Nation. Drew has also had the privilege to Walk in Two-Worlds, Indigenous and Western, with his work, education, and livelihood where he has learnt from Secwépemc Knowledge Carriers, Elders and others within the Secwépemc Nation, but has also obtained a Certificate of Aboriginal Studies, Associate of Arts Degree, Bachelor of Education degree, and is currently in the Master of Education program at Thompson Rivers University.
As a result of the Knowledge Builders Program (KBP), he has remained steadfast in upholding the value of Walking on Two-Legs when it comes to knowledge transfer, capacity building, and supporting Secwépemc / Indigenous Knowledges in our everyday lives. It is through his Indigenous teachings and pursuit of post-secondary education that he feels an inherent need, like his Ancestors, to advocate for the youth and contribute to creating a space that upholds Indigenous rights and access to education.
Jessica Nelson
KBP Intern Program Coordinator
Jessica is a proud Syilx woman from the Upper Nicola Syilx Band, and she holds her stəmtimaʔ (maternal grandmother) teachings close to her heart as she walks through this world. She was born and raised within Secwepemcúl’ecw and is humbled to learn and grow within the lands of the Secwépemc people. After completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English at Dalhousie University, Jessica went on to complete her Bachelor of Education at Thompson Rivers University in the spring of 2023.
Her journey with the Knowledge Builders Program began in the Summer of 2022 when she began her first year as an Intern. She has now transitioned into the KBP Intern Program Coordinator role and is grateful to continue learning from the reciprocal generational exchange of knowledge. Jessica is honoured to be a part of the QS Office team and is committed to Walking on Two-Legs with youth. Her passions include language, education, and uplifting Indigenous youth to be the next generation yecwemínem, or stewards and caretakers of the land.
Jazmen Pigeon
Guardians Program Coordinator
Jazmen Pigeon is a proud member of the Nlaka’pamux and Secwépemc Nations, hailing from Ashcroft Band and Esk̓etemc, respectively. Jazmen enjoys her life with family and loved ones in Secwepemcúl̓ecw. She is an Indigenous Educator, having graduated from Thompson Rivers University with her Bachelor of Education and her Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency in Secwepemctsín from Simon Fraser University. Jazmen is now the Knowledge Builders Program Guardians Coordinator, guiding the Secondary School Guardians stream of the program.
Jazmen finds language revitalization and education at the forefront of her passions, which naturally connects her with a love for the tmícw (land). Throughout her education and employment, she has continually advocated for Secwépemc values to be represented in a way that honors the past and manifests a change in the future. By engaging in the experiential learning of the Secwépemc ways of knowing and incorporating this directly into her Western views, she is upholding and living the concept of ‘Walking on Two-Legs.’ Jazmen strives to represent both ways of knowing as she continues her journey as an educator and KBP Guardians Coordinator, carrying forward the knowledge she will gain for the betterment of Secwepemcúl̓ecw.
Selene Winterstar-Peters
Administrative Assistant
Selene proudly carries her heritage as Secwépemc from Skeetchestn on her father's side and Anishinaabe from M’Chigeeng First Nation on her mother's side. Growing up in both Ontario and British Columbia, she was deeply immersed in her culture, attending ceremonies and learning her language.
She began dancing in pow wows at six, mastering old-style jingle and traditional cloth dances. Selene loves traveling in the summer to attend various pow wows, connecting with Indigenous communities and celebrating her heritage.
Selene pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, enriching her academic journey with her cultural experiences. Her education enables her to contribute to her community and promote cultural preservation and awareness.
In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, including quilling, beading, and sewing, creating pieces that reflect her cultural background. Selene’s life is a vibrant blend of tradition, creativity, and academic achievement, deeply rooted in her Secwépemc and Anishinaabe ancestry.
Bernice August
Operations Assistant
Bernice is a proud member of the Adams Lake Band, Secwépemc Nation on her maternal side, and the Tla’amin Nation on her paternal side. She has earned a Diploma in Aboriginal Child and Family Services and is currently enhancing her skills by taking online classes in Accounting and Payroll Administration.
Bernice brings a wealth of experience to her role at Qwelmínte Secwépemc particularly through her extensive volunteer work with Minor Hockey and Minor Fastball. Her dedication to these sports not only highlights her commitment to community involvement but also showcases her leadership abilities and passion for youth development.
Joining Qwelmínte Secwépemc as the Operations Assistant, Bernice is eager to bring her unique perspective and skills to the team. She looks forward to contributing to the work being done at Qwelmínte Secwépemc and working collaboratively with her colleagues to serve the signatories effectively. Bernice's multifaceted background and dedication make her a valuable addition to the team.
Kalei Dixon
Internal & External Relations Assistant
Kalei is a proud Secwépemc woman from the Tsq’escenemc community in Canim Lake, B.C. Growing up in this vibrant community, she actively participated in extracurricular activities and embraced the values of engagement and communal growth, influenced by her family's deep involvement in community life.
Kalei attended Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History. She earned an Indigenous Studies Certificate in June 2022 and is on track to graduate with her Bachelor's degree in the coming years. During the summer of 2023, Kalei interned with QS in the Knowledge Builders Program and now is the Internal & External Relations Assistant.
She is also a social media content creator on TikTok, where she encourages others to embrace their identity and to just be silly. Despite her growing online presence, Kalei remains humble and connected to her roots.
Additionally, Kalei has been playing ice hockey since the age of five and now travels across Canada and the United States to play. She loves combining her passion for travel with hockey.
Ashton Ashley
Yecwminulecw Cumulative Effects Technician
Ashton is Secwépemc from T'exelc, as well as Cherokee and Choctaw on his father's side. From an early age he grew up with a strong connection to the land, hunting or fishing, as well as smoking and canning with family. Growing up hearing Stseptékwlls from his Xpé7e and studying Secwepemcstín, Ashton has strong pride in upholding his cultural heritage while Walking on Two Legs.
Ashton is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Science at Thompson Rivers University, majoring in Biology. A passion for science along with recognizing the need to heal the land brought him to the Knowledge Builders Program in 2022 as an intern, assigned to Cumulative Effects. It was here that he applied his technical and analytical expertise to quantifying the cumulative impact of human activity on the natural landscape. Ashton has since transitioned into his role as the Yecwminulecw (Stewardship) Cumulative Effects Technician, where his work helps inform decision making on the transformation of environmental policy and management. He believes in the importance of holistic practice, as there is immense value in the inclusion of both Secwépemc and Western values to be great and good as one.
Sadie Lawrence
Yecwminulecw (Stewardship) Coordinator
Sadie was raised in the beautiful territory of Simpcw, where her upbringing was shaped by the wisdom of Dodie Eustache, Ralph McDougall, and the community. These teachings instilled in her a relentless work ethic and the belief that, as a young Indigenous person, no dream or goal was beyond her reach.
With a background in Natural Resource Science and a Project Management Certification, Sadie is well-prepared to navigate her work at QSO. Her journey from an intern in the Knowledge Builders Program to a Yecwminulecw (Stewardship) Coordinator has been transformative and fulfilling. She values the team’s diversity, composed of individuals from all walks of life.
Over the past 27 years, Sadie has developed a diverse skill set. She considers herself a people person, focused on forming meaningful connections and building relationships with both signatories and provincial counterparts. The concept of ‘Walking on Two Legs’ guides her adaptability and resilience. Committed to excellence, she strives to deliver quality work and present her best self in any situation.
What fuels her passion is collaborating with remarkable individuals and absorbing wisdom from esteemed knowledge carriers. Her experiences at QSO have empowered her to reclaim her Indigenous identity with newfound confidence. Sadie looks forward to continuing her path alongside our signatories to become "great and good," as mentioned by our Chiefs in the 1910 memorial.