The Indigenous Perspectives Society: Centre of Excellence in Community Education (IPS) is an Indigenous-run charitable non-profit. We are comprised of Indigenous staff, allies, a board of directors and volunteers. Our composition is an intentional and deliberate one that allows us the agility to deliver services, meet community needs, and respond to actions of reconciliation in a way that is reflective of the communities we walk amongst. Our circles where we deliver services are Indigenous, non-Indigenous, and blended. We practice diversity and inclusion with our society representing many different communities and lifestyles which brings a wealth of insight into how we work. IPS is proud to provide the opportunity for career development and mentorship, and believes in growing people in addition to attracting excellent talent. It is with pride and gratitude that we introduce you to our team:
Team Members
Rachelle Dallaire, BSW/MSW/RSW
Executive Director
Rachelle Dallaire, BSW/MSW/RSW
×Rachelle is from the Montagnais peoples in lower Quebec. She brings more than 15 years of management and leadership experience to her work as Indigenous Perspectives Society’s Executive Director. Rachelle has extensive front line service experience that informs her leadership from her early work with at risk communities including women in the sex trade, corrections, and the homeless community. As an inter-generational trauma survivor, she brings a lot of passion to developing Indigenous Perspectives Society’s Reconciliation from an Indigenous Perspectives training offerings, which include Cultural Perspectives Training, developed to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action.
Connie Martin, BSW/AA/MPA
Associate Director
Connie Martin, BSW/AA/MPA
×Connie Martin is from the K’omoks First Nation on her maternal side. Her late mother’s name was Leslee Martin, and her late grandmother was Mable Frank. Her grandparents, Richard and Catherine Wilson, raised both her and her mother. On her father’s side she is German and Swedish. Her late father’s name was Gary Martin. Her paternal grandparents were the late Maggie Martin and Charlie Martin. Connie comes to Indigenous Perspectives Society with previous experience as a social worker at the Ministry of Children and Family Development and with an Indigenous Child and Family Serving Agency. She has also worked in the non-profit sector for over 10 years with Indigenous children and their families, from all over Canada. She is a passionate advocate for education, learning cultural practices and western academia. She has worked to earn an Associate Arts Degree in Aboriginal Studies, a Bachelor of Social Work Degree, with Indigenous and Child Welfare specializations, and completed her Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 2021. Connie is inspired by the beauty in our communities and the days yet to come where Indigenous people are exercising more of their inherent rights to support children and families.
Zhila Alizadeh – Borji, BBM
Finance Manager
Zhila Alizadeh – Borji, BBM
×Zhila joined the Society in April 2011. Zhila is a Persian woman, a mother of a beautiful daughter and a proud aunt. Born and raised in Iran, she graduated from the University of Tehran with a degree in business, level 4 of Certified General accountant, and has obtainained her Certified Aboriginal Finance Manager. She worked in a variety of financial management positions in Tehran. She moved to Canada in 2001 and has been employed since that time in similar environments. She is very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Indigenous Perspectives Society. She has many passions which include artistic endeavors, family values, and her work. She believes in the passion that is demonstrated by the Society in the work they do and for this, she has been very appreciative to be a part of that passion and to work for such a dynamic team!
Carol Itakura
Facilities and Resources Manager
Carol Itakura
×Carol is first generation Chinese and was born and raised in Victoria, B.C. She holds a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Victoria. After more than 23 years in the banking industry, Carol began a different journey with IPS in May 2002 where she was able to apply her knowledge, administrative skills and experiences. Carol has been the Society’s Facilities and Resource Manager since December 2005 and enjoys the camaraderie with her colleagues.
Kelly Hall
Manager of Curriculum & Learning
Kelly Hall
×'eenthu Kelly Hall tun-ni tsun utl Quw'utsun, I am Kelly Hall, and I am Quw'utsun person. My parents are Valerie Hall and Karl Williams. My late maternal grandparents are Pearl Hall and Flint Hall. My Paternal grandparents are Eva Williams and Late Anthony Williams. I have completed my Bachelor of Education with NITEP of University of British Columbia. I've also completed my master's degree with the Education Leadership Program with Vancouver Island University. I have minimum 15 years working in indigenous communities and minimum 5 years of leadership experience. I'm honoured and grateful to be apart of the Indigenous Perspective Society. Huy tseep q'u sii'em Thank you all, respected ones.
Candace McKivett
Program Development Project Lead
Candace McKivett
×Candace works in the development of online training in Moodle and is also the accreditation specialist for the Society. She is a non-Indigenous staff member who applies an intersectional lens to all that she does; believing that health and wellbeing for people and communities comes from achieving equity across the social determinants of health. Candace is also passionately committed to her volunteer work with inmates at the local federal prison.
Lizz Brooks
Program Development Project Lead
Lizz Brooks
×Lizz is from the Tsesk’iye clan of the Tahltan Nation, as well as Chinese on her father’s side and mixed European from her mother’s side. She has lived within various locations and territories across British Columbia, but Vancouver Island is where she has called “home” for most of her life. She wears many hats as the Program Development Project Lead, where she oversees curriculum development, social enterprise projects, and facilitates trainings focused around allyship. An active member within the performing arts community, Lizz regularly shares space and facilitates conversations focused around decolonizing the arts and provides guidance for fostering space for individuals from marginalized communities. She is passionate about uplifting and empowering others while advocating for Indigenous Sovereignty, intersectional human rights, visibility, and understanding history.
Clairissa Kelly
Instructor
Clairissa Kelly
×Boozhoo, Aniin, Bimose Mashkode Bihizi Ikwe nindizhinikaaz. Muhkwa dodem, Peguis First Nation nindonjii. Hi! My name is Clairissa Kelly, Walking Buffalo Woman of the Bear Clan from Peguis First Nation, Treaty 1 Territory which is located in Manitoba. I now live, work and play in Langford, BC, which is located on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking people of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
I am a proud Anishinaabe on both sides of my family. I would like to acknowledge my biological father and grandmother who are residential school survivors, as well as my father who raised me who is a 60s Scoop Survivor. I am excited to join the Indigenous Perspectives Society as an Instructor with the Social Enterprise Team. In addition to my lived experience in the child welfare system, I also bring my gifts from the arts, education, and administration sectors. My passion is rooted in indigenous youth empowerment and reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples.
Kai'a Hill
Curriculum Designer
Kai'a Hill
×Kai‘a is Kanaka ‘Ōiwi from Hawai‘i, with ancestral and familial ties to the islands of Maui, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘iloa. She was born and raised on Maui and identifies as a true native island girl. Kai‘a moved to the lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples in 2014 after graduating from high school to pursue a post-secondary degree at the University of Victoria. In August 2024, she began a Master of Education program at the University of British Columbia. Hoping to honor her cultural teachings of reciprocity, respect, and relational accountability, Kai‘a started working for IPS in early 2020, as their values, vision, and mission aligned with her own. Kai‘a approaches this work with great humility, gratitude, and respect for the Indigenous Peoples of these lands—the rightful caretakers, protectors, and defenders. She acknowledges that she is occupying land and space in these beautiful territories as a result of colonization and its impacts. It is Kai‘a’s hope to return home one day and contribute to the efforts of resistance, healing, and revitalization for her community.
Tess Mamalias
Finance Technician
Tess Mamalias
×My name is Maritess, but you can call me Thess if you want. I am a Filipina who was born and raised in the Philippines. I am an aunt to my five nieces and five nephews. I received my Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of the East in the Philippines. I spent 15 years as a General Accountant and Bookkeeper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. I moved to Canada last December as an International Student and studying DBA (Continuing Studies) programme at the University of Victoria.
Elaine Zamardi, C.I.M.
Executive & Project Coordinator
Elaine Zamardi, C.I.M.
×Elaine was born and raised in Toronto, ON and moved to Victoria, BC in 1996 with her husband and their two daughters. She is Mohawk on her Mother’s side, from Kahnawà:ke Quebec and English on her Father’s side. As the Executive and Project Coordinator she is passionate about working at IPS and being able to support projects, our youth, Elders, families, and communities. She loves spending time with her family, riding her bike and enjoys the outdoors.
Aaron Nickol
Business Development & Communications Coordinator
Aaron Nickol
×Aaron is from the Namgis First Nations of the Kwa’Kwa’Ka’Wake-speaking peoples, born and raised on the Namgis First Nations Reserve in Alert Bay, British Columbia. This is where he had spent the first 17 years of his life. Aaron has been located in the Lekwungen territory for the past ten years. Starting his journey in the territory by Learning Anthropology and fine art at Camosun College, and since then has been a vital resource in the workforce within the finance industry. Reminiscing his ancestral life on the water in a fishing community, Aaron wanted to be closer to his heritage; as such, Aaron now lives on his Sailboat in Victoria Harbor, offering him the opportunity to be close to the land and practice traditional fishing and curing methods. Aaron is also a part of the live performing arts community, where he works on community building and other performers’ sense of belonging.
Tasman Fitzmaurice
Client Services Coordinator
Tasman Fitzmaurice
×Taz is Algonquin, Irish and French on her mother’s side, and Algonquin and French on her father’s. Her family is from Mattawa/North Bay Algonquin First Nation. A proud mother, and stepmother, she is very grateful to be raising her family and working in Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories. Taz graduated from Camosun College in 2023, with a Diploma in Indigenous Studies and has found her happy place is being of service to her community. She has come to the Indigenous Perspectives Society passionate to find ways in which she can help create positive and inclusive spaces wherever she goes. Tasman lives her life always looking for the ways in which she can be the best ancestor to the future generations.
D'Arcy Briggs
Program Coordinator
D'Arcy Briggs
×D’Arcy is proud to be a member of the IPS team in the role of Program Coordinator. He is a non-Indigenous team member from the lək̓ʷəŋən territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. He holds a B.A. from the University of Victoria in History and French, as well as a B.Ed. in Secondary Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Previous experience includes over a decade in the not-for-profit sector as a festival organizer with the Victoria B.C. Ska and Reggae Society, as an educator with students in the K-12 system, and as an administrative support staff with both private and public educational institutions. When not working at IPS, D’Arcy can be found listening to music, swimming in the ocean, or organizing with various social and environmental community groups.
Alex Dolen
Program Development Coordinator
Alex Dolen
×Alex (all pronouns) is two-spirit Métis whose ancestors hail from the Red River Region of Manitoba and later pushed to settle in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Her family names are Wells, Portrais, Lemire, Trottier, and others. Born in the Okanagan, raised in Alberta, Alex did her undergraduate degree at UVic, traveled half the world and then called Haida Gwaii and Terrace home for 20 years before moving back to Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories with her son. With a passion for social justice, she critically reflects on the impact of colonization on Turtle Island and finding ways to dismantle the barriers that perpetuate the process of colonization. In her free time, Alex likes to tend to the garden, explore the trails around Victoria and play with her dog.
Board of Directors
Christa Smith
President
Christa Smith
×Christa has called the Cariboo Chilcotin home for the past 30 years, she is married with two grown children, three step children and five grandchildren. Christa brings enthusiasm and energy to all aspects of life. She loves to learn new things and has an extensive educational history that includes a Masters of Business Administration, a Masters in Counselling Psychology, a Bachelors of Social Work with Child Welfare Specialization, and a wide variety of certificates and diplomas that cross business and social service fields. She brings over 20 years of business experience, leadership and volunteerism to this role. Currently Christa is the Executive Director of an Aboriginal Agency and loves what she does. With service as a core value, she looks forward to being able to extend that to Indigenous Perspectives Society.
Cynthia Kopp
Vice President
Cynthia Kopp
×Cynithia is a proud member of Tle'tinqox, from Tsilhqot'in on her maternal side and on her paternal side she is of German descent. She has three children and two grandchildren who are members of Stzuminus First Nation. Cynthia was born on Salt Spring Island. She spent the majority of her childhood on the Prairies and moved back to the Cowichan Valley in 1989. Cynthia spent the last 14 years working within Child Protection, both at The Ministry of Children and Family Development as well as working in a Delegated Aboriginal Agency. Prior to that she spent several years working with high-risk youth and their families.
Saranda Watts
Secretary
Saranda Watts
×Saranda is of Nuu-chah-nulth and of mixed European ancestry. She was raised on the traditional territories of the Nuu-chah-nulth people and moved to the lands of the Lekwungen people in 2013. During her time in Victoria, Saranda has engaged in various roles in the service sector in areas such as; mental health and substance use, corrections and health care. She believes community and a sense of belonging are integral to individual and collective wellbeing and believes a holistic approach aligns with this perspective. Saranda is in the final semester of her Bachelor of Social Work Degree with an Indigenous Specialization at the University of Victoria. After completing her degree, she hopes to continue working alongside Indigenous families and communities in diverse settings.
Amanda Willis
Treasurer
Amanda Willis
×Amanda Willis is from Filipino, mixed European and Coast Salish ancestry, living in the unceded traditional territories, including the Semiahmoo, Katzie, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Nations (Surrey). Amanda has extensive experience in Indigenous-specific racism education, technology development, youth and community service provision and social justice research.
Amanda has a BSc in Interactive Arts and Technology and an MA in Educational Technology and Learning Design, as well as an MA in Interaction Design from Malmo University, Sweden.
Amanda's interest is in helping ensure Indigenous children and families’ rights are upheld.