Rick Brant teho:ka
Chief Executive Officer
Rick has extensive experience in Indigenous sport development. He is a founding member of the Aboriginal Sport Circle, Canada’s national body for Indigenous sport and recreation, and is one of the primary architects of Canada’s Indigenous sport system. He has extensive involvement with the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), leading the delivery of three separate games, most recently serving as the CEO of the Cowichan 2008 NAIG. Rick has also been responsible for numerous national and provincial initiatives that have influenced public policy and shaped the way sport and recreation programs are delivered in Indigenous communities across Canada.
As a member of Canada’s National Track and Field Team, Rick won national championships at 800 metres, 4×400 metre relay, and team Cross Country. In 1987, Rick received the National Tom Longboat Award as the most outstanding Indigenous athlete in Canada.
Rick is Mohawk, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario. He currently lives in the Cowichan Valley with his wife and two children.
Alex Nelson
Elder and Senior Advisor
Alex Nelson is a member of the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw tribes of the Kwakwala- speaking people. Alex currently resides in Victoria with his wife Nella, daughter Tasha, and grandsons Gigalis and Komanagila. Alex has a vast history in the field of sports, recreation and physical activities. He believes strongly in the correlation between active lifestyles and leadership and tribal pride.
One of Alex’s greatest achievements was hosting the 1997 North American Indigenous Games in Victoria. He was the Chairperson of the NAIG Council 1995, Blaine Minnesota; 2002, Winnipeg; and 2008 NAIG, Cowichan. He was also co-founder and Executive Director of Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of BC for twenty years. Alex continues to guide I·SPARC as a respected Elder and Senior Advisor.
A master’s soccer player himself, Alex has also coached community youth, men’s and women’s soccer for 42 years. Alex recently led Team BC’s 16U male soccer team to a gold medal victory at the Toronto 2017 North American Indigenous Games. In recognition of his contributions to sport on Vancouver Island, Alex was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 in the Builder category.
Lara Mussell Savage
Executive Director, Sport
Lara was raised in both Chilliwack and in the urban setting of Vancouver and is a proud member of Sqwá First Nation (Stó:lō/Pelolxw). She graduated as a Wesbrook Scholar from UBC with BKin in Sport Management and completed her MBA at SFU and she focuses her passion on Indigenous sport and youth.
In 2005, Lara was awarded Canada’s National Tom Longboat Award for Female Indigenous Athlete of the Year and has competed in 4 World Championships in the sport of Ultimate, winning 2 gold and 2 bronze medals. Lara’s career has included management roles with the Air Canada PGA TOUR Championship, BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Lara was one of five experts invited to join the BC 2030 Feasibility Team with the Four Host First Nations to explore an Indigenous-led bid to host the 2030 Winter Games.
Lara was inducted into the Chilliwack Sports Hall of Fame (2016) and into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (2024) for her achievements in and contribution to sport. She is an ambassador for the #LeveltheField campaign promoting gender equity in sport, a Trustee for the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and a Director for the Canadian Olympic Committee. Lara also served as an elected Councillor for Sqwá First Nation for approximately ten years including serving as Chief, 2020-2023. She resides on Sqwá’s main reserve with her husband and two children.
Robynne Edgar
Executive Director, Healthy Living
Robynne Edgar has worked in the area of Indigenous health for over 20 years and is a firm believer that physical activity is the key to obtaining balance and strong mental and physical health. She learned at an early age how sport contributes to positive self-esteem.
As an athlete, her most notable sporting accomplishment was competing at both the national and international levels in professional beach volleyball where she achieved two National titles and qualified for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
More recently, she has embraced her passion for the traditional and medicinal uses for plants and fungi and can often be found in the mountains gathering medicine. Robynne has completed two apprenticeships in Herbal Medicine and Human Physiology, and the nutritional and medicinal benefits of Northwest plants, and has been gathering wild foods since she was six. She shares her teachings with her son and has future goals to work together with traditional knowledge keepers in Indigenous communities to protect and revitalize these practices for future generations.
Robynne is extremely proud of her Cree and Japanese heritage and her greatest joy is raising her two sons with her husband on Vancouver Island.
Brenda Maguire
Director, Finance
Brenda is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and for the last eight years she has worked with Grant Thornton as an Assurance Manager in their Nanaimo office. Among her many responsibilities, Brenda mentored accounting students and assisted them with their training and professional development.
Before changing careers to become a CPA, Brenda received a Bachelor of Science, with a concentration on Environmental Science from SFU. Using the knowledge from the degree, Brenda worked with the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society as an Environmental Specialist.
Brenda is passionate about volunteering with multiple not-for-profit organizations and is excited to be working with I∙SPARC and its amazing vision.
Brenda enjoys practicing yoga and walking on local trails in search for birds, particularly owls.
Brock Freeman
Senior Manager, Communications
Tammy Watson
Manager, Sport Development & Community Engagement
Tammy is Cree from Manning, Alberta and descends from Selkirk County, Manitoba where her maternal grandmother Rachel Kennedy took scripture in 1875. Rachel used the money to purchase a farm in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan that remains in the family to this day. Tammy was raised in Quesnel, BC (traditional territory of the Lhtako Dene), by parents that taught her to take care of herself and the land, and where she and her husband reside today and raised their two boys.
Tammy spent over 11 years as an Indigenous Education Worker with the Quesnel School district where she enjoyed providing students with opportunities to make positive changes in their health and well-being. Tammy has also spent 15 years as president of her local motocross track and Vice President of the BC Motocross Association. Today, Tammy can be found mountain biking, skiing, paddleboarding, hiking, camping, snowshoeing or riding around the backroads on her adventure touring motorcycle.
Tammy is often found supporting youth in their development of sport. From encouraging youth to join her in a ski jumping class, to taking kids mountain biking. Tammy loves to help develop confidence, independence and pride. Because we all have the ability to be strong, confident, independent people.
Amanda de Faye
Manager, Healthy Living Program Operations
Born and raised in Richmond, BC on Coast Salish territory, Amanda is of Cree Métis and English/French descent. Amanda has a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and recently completed her MSc in Experimental Medicine at UBC.
Amanda’s introduction to physical activity began at a young age spending her summers running, biking and playing outdoors. While playing competitive high school basketball, Amanda experienced the power of physical activity and team sports for physical health and mental wellness. This fundamental experience led Amanda into the area of physical activity promotion where she continues to remain passionate about helping others discover the benefits of regular physical activity.
Having transitioned from competitive basketball to recreational physical activity, Amanda is happiest when she is out in the woods hiking and exploring with her partner. Amanda also loves to run, work out, throw a frisbee, play recreational basketball, read and cook healthy, delicious meals.
Kim Leming
Manager, Participant Pathways & Cultural Safety Training
Kim is Cree from Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan, and has lived most of her life in BC. Before moving to Vancouver Island, Kim graduated from Nicola Valley Institute of Technology with a Fish & Wildlife, Grassland, Range and Recreation Management diploma, post business certification in Natural Resources and Non-Profit Management.
With over 20 years experience working with Indigenous communities & organizations in the field of sport and recreation programming, Kim is proud to have been part of Team BC support staff for 2014 & 2017 NAIG and one of the first Team BC Indigenous female coaches to attend the 2015 Canada Winter Games in the sport of snowboarding. Building on her extensive volunteer experience in sport & recreation development, Kim took on the lead role of Indigenous Snowboard Program at Canada Snowboard.
Kim is thrilled to be part of the I·SPARC team once again, to continue connecting with Indigenous communities, sport organizations in BC and create opportunities or stepping stones for the next generation of Indigenous participants, leaders and athletes. In her spare time, Kim enjoys running trails in Cumberland, biking, hiking mountains and during the winter season she can be found snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowboarding at the local ski hill.
Joel Harry
Manager, Performance Sport
Joel is from Tla’amin First Nation and is a former student-athlete at Vancouver Island University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Sport, Health, and Physical Education, and a minor in Indigenous Studies. At VIU he played 5 years for the men’s varsity soccer team, and won Gold at the CCAA National Championships in 2017. Joel not only served as a team captain with VIU, he also served as Assistant Coach for the team following graduation.
Joel also helped Team BC win the gold medal in soccer at the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. Joel is a natural leader who recently served as Director of Program Development at the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre.
Joel strongly believes in the value of sport, and loves working in community. He loves to coach, play soccer, and spend time with his family and friends.
Christine Remple
Grants Manager
Christine was born in Alberta and entered care as an infant before being adopted by loving parents and raised in Alberta, BC, and the U.S. She reconnected with her Métis birth family over 15 years ago, deepening her sense of belonging and cultural identity.
A lifelong athlete, Christine competed in multiple sports growing up and continued with field hockey and rowing at the University of Alberta, where she earned a Bachelor of Physical Education. After a career-ending injury in competitive mountain biking, she shifted her focus to promoting health and youth development through professional and volunteer work.
Now with I·SPARC, Christine brings her experience and passion to support Indigenous youth and strengthen community through sport and culture.
Kalista Pruden
Manager, Food Systems Program
Kalista Pruden is a proud Otipemisiwak (Métis) woman, mother of three, and lifelong land steward currently living in Gray Creek, BC, on the shores of Kootenay Lake—within the unceded, traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, and a region also connected to the Secwépemc and Sinixt peoples.
With over 15 years of experience in environmental science, Indigenous food systems, and regenerative design, Kalista brings a deep commitment to cultural reclamation, food sovereignty, and community empowerment. She currently serves as the Food Systems Program Manager at I·SPARC and is the founder of Avalily Permaculture and The Earthskills Institute. Kalista is also on her own journey of cultural reclamation, actively re-learning traditions and holding knowledge for her community, while teaching traditional skills to her children and participating in a Métis Aunties group.
Malaina Marchand
Grants and Finance Assistant
Malaina Marchand is Syilx from the Okanagan Nation. She was born and raised in Penticton BC and has a strong interest in exploring the Okanagan’s vast traditional territory by hiking and walking the trails. Prior to entering the nonprofit field, she was a licensed early childhood educator/ Infant toddler educator and led several programs.
Malaina’s experience of working closely with children and their families shaped her values and sparked to the goal of providing equal opportunities to all children and helping them build a strong foundation for their future. With a strong passion for helping children the position for Grants and Finance Assistant is a stepping stone to see the goal realized.
Dwayne Roberts
Project Manager, Indigenous Programs, Learning in Motion
Dwayne has been a Master Facilitator for the I·SPARC FitNation program since its inception in 2012. He has worked with amateur and professional athletes across various sports, improving their athletic abilities. He is currently the Master Facilitator for I·SPARC schools’ physical activity and physical literacy project. The project seeks to increase the number of minutes of physical activity students engage in during the school day.
Dwayne is successful in getting people to work together and focus on their goals. This is evident through his coaching background. He coached Kaiser High School (Hawaii) and led them to the State Football Final. He coached the University of Toronto Varsity Football team, along with other football and hockey teams. Dwayne was born in Guyana and now resides in Toronto with his wife and twin sons. He operates on a simple belief system: Practice How You Play – practice at 110%, play at 110%.
Ryan Ryan
Provincial Coordinator, Physical Activity, Training & Development
Ryan is Tahltan – born in Smithers, BC and moved from Northern BC to the Thompson-Okanagan in their teen years. Ryan was active in sports from a young age, starting with Soccer against their cousins in Hazelton and Terrace, to Figure Skating with their sisters in Prince George, Prince Rupert, and the Okanagan. It was not until their teens did Ryan find their passion for Volleyball and made junior Varsity with TRU. Ryan continued to play volleyball, switching to Beach Volleyball in the summers, and realized sport was a large contributor to maintaining their mental health through their post-secondary education.
Ryan moved to Vancouver Island in 2020 to make a fresh start and has been in love with the land ever since. Ryan is grateful to the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples for their graciousness and welcome to all who take residence in Greater Victoria. Ryan has a background in teaching and coaching and looks to give their time back to the community and help Indigenous youth find their passion in sport and physical activity and pursue their goals.
Julie Seal
Provincial Coordinator, HealthBeat
Julie is of Cree Métis and Italian descent. She grew up in Trail, BC and currently resides on the traditional territories of the Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm) and S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) Nations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Indigenous Studies from Simon Fraser University and has a passion for health, fitness, and supporting her community. She is a staunch supporter of those with disabilities and has volunteered for the past decade as a Special Olympics coach. Her hobbies include roller skating, board games, building miniatures, and geocaching. She is up for whatever gets her heart pumping and will try almost anything once!
Susan Meier
Provincial Coordinator, Indigenous RunWalkWheel
Susan Meier was raised in Surrey but now calls Vancouver home. Coming from a family of six and is the youngest of four, Susan prides herself in her family who taught her at an early age the importance of loyalty, perseverance, and sports! She hopes to instill these positive beliefs and values in her son.
Susan graduated from the University of British Columbia’s Human Kinetics program and has been a part of the RunWalkWheel team since the program’s beginning in 2007. She brings forth 17 years of knowledge and experience working with Indigenous communities and has a great passion to deliver the message of health and wellness.
Susan’s passion for sports, and belief in active healthy living, reflects in her dynamic lifestyle as she is actively involved in a number of recreational sports and devotes her time as a volunteer at a Vancouver social recreation club that encourages physical activity and active lifestyle. Another life’s passion for Susan is traveling. She is an advocate in gaining the sense of renewal and adventure through sport and travel, and if she is not participating in sports in her leisure time (or teaching her young son how to play sports!), she is travelling the world and gaining unforgettable experiences.
Morgan Anson
Provincial Coordinator, Engagement – Food Systems Program
Morgan is Métis and was raised in Coquitlam BC. She has a bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Maine, where she Played NCAA Division One field hockey for four years. She spends most of her free time coaching youth field hockey at clubs, high school, and high-performance levels. When not coaching, she loves spend time outdoors – from hiking and kayaking and other water sports to spending a few weeks hunting with her dad.
Growing up as a multi-sport athlete and playing elite level field hockey has showed Morgan the power of sport and its ability to create community that crosses borders and oceans, and sparked her belief that everyone should have an opportunity to find their love of sport. She is excited to be apart if the I·SPARC team!
Pauline Johnson
Project Coordinator, Tobacco Cessation & Physical Activity
Jaclyn Whitecotton Swii Sa’muk
Program Coordinator
Swii Sa’muk, traditionally named to mean “to put it outside,” is a member of Lax Gibuu from the house of Wog gal wil. After an 11-year absence, Swii Sa’muk has recently returned to Hazelton, a decision greatly influenced by her three children. Their well-being, coupled with a deepening connection to family, land, and traditions, led Swii Sa’muk and her husband to make the significant choice to move back home.
Having earned her Social Service Worker Certificate in 2006, Swii Sa’muk has dedicated herself to the social services field. With a professional background spanning 11 years at the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Swii Sa’muk served as the First Nations Support Worker in the elementary schools of Princeton. Transitioning from her role as the Babine Watershed Facilitator, Swii Sa’muk embraced her passion for sport and the inspiration from her two very active boys who play every sport available to them to pursue a role with I·SPARC.
Alongside her professional pursuits, she actively volunteers in the communities she resides in, driven by a belief in the significance of giving back and cultivating robust communities for the betterment of our children.
Regional Sport and Physical Activity Coordinators
Devon Blind
Fraser Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.Fraser
Parker Orchard
Interior Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator
Originally from the rural town of Emo in Northwestern Ontario, Parker is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Ontario from the Treaty #3 area. His family has deep roots in the region, with ancestry tracing back to Métis families around Lake of the Woods. He grew up learning traditional practices and harvesting on the land with his family, and has been hunting and fishing for as long as he can remember. For the past three summers, he worked as a fishing guide on Lake of the Woods.
Sport has played a central role in Parker’s life from a young age leading to compete at AA and AAA levels throughout his minor hockey years. He played varsity high school hockey for the Warroad Warriors in Warroad, Minnesota, and later at the Junior B level in the NA3HL, suiting up for the Bozeman Ice Dogs in Montana and the Cape Cod Islanders in Massachusetts. He eventually followed his passion for the outdoors westward to BC, where he attended UBC-O in Kelowna. He recently completed a degree in Human Kinetics with a minor in Indigenous Studies. Parker also coaches both minor and junior hockey, experiences that have deepened his love of sport and inspired a commitment to sharing knowledge about health, physical activity, and sport participation with others.
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.Interior
Lynn Munch
Northeast Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator
Lynn Munch was born and raised in the Moberly Lake/Fort St. John area, right in the heart of Northern BC, and has always been surrounded by the rich culture of the Saulteau First Nations. Growing up in that environment truly shaped who she is today.
Sports have always been a big part of Lynn’s life, especially baseball and hockey. She began hockey at a young age and later played slow pitch for over 20 years. For Lynn, it was never just about the game; it gave her purpose, drive, and helped her through some tough times. One of her favorite memories is being part of the Gridiron Edge female slow-pitch team that won the Provincial Championships in Vernon. In 2015, the team traveled to Niagara Falls for Nationals and placed 3rd representing BC; an experience she’ll never forget.
Alongside her love of sport, Lynn spent about a decade working in administration and safety roles. These roles helped her grow as a leader and stay rooted in her community while still doing what she loves. Lynn is proud of her Cree heritage and the values it’s taught her: resilience, community, and strength. As a mom to two amazing daughters, she works hard to pass those values along, especially the determination and passion that sports brought into her life. Today, Lynn continues to stay active, involved, and focused on inspiring the people around her – whether through her work, her family, or out on the field.
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.Northeast
Toni Muldoe
Northwest Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator
Toni is a member of the Gitxsan Nation, from the house of Niisto, and she resides in Gitanmaax, BC. Prior to joining the I·SPARC staff, Toni has been connected to I·SPARC programs in various volunteer capacities over the past several years including helping lead the Regional soccer processes in the Northwest in 2013 in preparation for 2014 NAIG, serving as Team BC manager for soccer at 2014 NAIG, hosting I·SPARC clinic/camps in the Hazeltons, and serving as part of the Mission Staff for Team BC at the 2017 NAIG.
Toni has been a long standing volunteer within the Hazelton Minor Hockey Association and has been a coordinator for Hazelton Youth Soccer. Toni and her spouse, Chris, are passionate supporters of youth sport development in northern BC. As an avid sports fan, sports parent, and a team manager for various sports, Toni has helped coordinate team fundraising and team travel to sporting events across the country.
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.Northwest
Pete Natrall Sxw’alhkin
Vancouver Coastal Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator
Pete was born and raised in North Vancouver proudly carries the ancestral name Sxw’alhkin gifted to him from his late Grandparents. Pete graduated from Sutherland Secondary high school and continued his studies at Capilano University completing the Retail Marketing program with a focus in Marketing and Communications.
Pete played and competed in various lacrosse leagues and tournaments for the last 25 years. Pete is currently is involved with the Squamish Nation Shapeshifters Men’s Masters Lacrosse team as the General Manager and player. Pete has had the opportunity to compete in Provincial, National and International Lacrosse tournaments. Pete learned at a young age the importance of hard work, dedication, commitment and team work through lacrosse.
Pete has a passion for working within First Nation communities and has had the opportunity to work with influential First Nation organization that included: Tewanee Consulting Group, the Four Host First Nation Secretariat, Squamish Nation, the First Nation Snowboard Team, the First Nations Health Council and now with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council and looks to bring his past experiences to the Vancouver Coastal Region.
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.VancouverCoastal
Westlee Bischoff
Vancouver Island Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator
Westlee grew up in Salmon Arm, on the traditional lands of the Secwepemc people. In 2016 he moved to Vancouver Island, on to the lands of the Snuneymuxw and Snaw-naw-as people, to attend VIU where he played varsity soccer throughout his undergrad. In 2022, he graduated with a degree in Economics and Political Studies, with the goal of beginning a career in community development.
After graduating from VIU, Westlee spent 2 years working for the Snaw-naw-as First Nation as their Youth Program Coordinator. It was through this position that he was introduced to I·SPARC , while participating in FitNation leader training and regional engagement meetings.
Westlee is a firm believer in the power of sport and the opportunities that athletics creates for young people to prosper. Growing up he was heavily involved with soccer through playing, coaching, and refereeing. Basketball is his other sport, along with his passion for skiing.
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.VancouverIsland