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
Director, Sport 

Lara Mussell Savage was raised both in Chilliwack and in the urban setting of Vancouver. Proud of her Sqwá First Nation (Stó:lō/Pelolxw) ancestry and a dedicated athlete, Lara focuses her passion on Indigenous sport and youth.  She graduated as a Wesbrook Scholar from UBC with BKin in Sport Management and completed her MBA at SFU.

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 in 2016 for her achievements in and contribution to sport.  She is an ambassador for the #LeveltheField campaign that promotes gender equity in sport and is also a Trustee for the BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.  Lara has 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.

Email: lmussell@isparc.ca


Robynne Edgar
Director, Healthy Living 

Robynne Edgar has worked in the area of Indigenous health for over 15 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.

Email: redgar@isparc.ca


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.

Email: bmaguire@isparc.ca


Vacant
General Manager

Email: 


Tracy LePage
Finance & Administrative Coordinator

Tracy is a member of the Halfway River First Nation which is in northeast BC, near Fort St. John. She was born in Vancouver but raised in the interior of BC in Savona and Williams Lake. Tracy recently moved from Fort St. John, and she currently resides in Qualicum Beach with her husband Sean and youngest son Isaac. She moved to Vancouver Island so her family could have more access to year-round recreation and enjoy milder winters.

Tracy has over ten years of administrative skills and more than six years of accounting experience. She has previously worked and volunteered in non-profit and has also worked for private companies. She recently completed the Applied Business Technology Certificate Program at Northern Lights College. Tracy also received a Certificate for High Academic Achievement when she completed the Bookkeeping with Computer Applications Certificate Program at the University College of the Cariboo. She is very excited to be working for I∙SPARC because she believes promoting sports is beneficial for everyone.

Tracy played in baseball leagues from five years old on into her later teens and loved playing a variety of sports in school. She also spent much of her youth swimming and to this day enjoys swimming for recreation. Walking on the many beautiful trails found in the forests of Vancouver Island is another activity Tracy appreciates and she’s also an avid reader. She’s looking forward to exploring the beauty of Vancouver Island more in the years to come.

Email: tlepage@isparc.ca


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.

Email: mmarchand@isparc.ca


Brock Freeman
Senior Manager, Communications 

Email: bfreeman@isparc.ca


Michelle Webster
Manager, Sport Development & Community Engagement

A member of the Namgis First Nation, Michelle was raised in the Okanagan.  Michelle is a graduate from Kansas Wesleyan University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Sport Management and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. While in Kansas, Michelle was a catcher for the KWU Coyotes Women’s Softball Team for 2 seasons and then began her coaching career there with 2 seasons as an assistant coach and 1 season as an interim head coach.  She continues to coach softball and has coached Team BC to a gold medal win at the 2014 NAIG as well as Team BC’s softball for the 2017 NAIG. Michelle is currently the Associate Head Coach of the UBCO Heat Softball Program.

Michelle was previously the Interior Regional Coordinator and is a member of the BC Games Society and PacificSport Okanagan Board of Directors. Michelle believes in the power of sport and is passionate about providing new opportunities for young people.  She enjoys spending her Okanagan summers at the lake and winters at the ski hill.

Email: mwebster@isparc.ca


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.

Email: adefaye@isparc.ca


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.

Email: kleming@isparc.ca


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.

Email: rryan@isparc.ca


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, and building miniatures in N scale. She is up for whatever gets her heart pumping and will try almost anything once!

Email: jseal@isparc.ca


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.

Email: smeier@isparc.ca


Joel Harry
Provincial Coordinator, 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.

Email: jharry@isparc.ca


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 aged 25, 16, and 7. 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.

Email: jwhitecotton@isparc.ca


Dwayne Roberts
Project Manager, School Physical Activity & Physical Literacy

Bio coming soon!

Email: droberts@isparc.ca


Regional Sport and Physical Activity Coordinators

Morgan Anson
Fraser Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator

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!

Email: manson@isparc.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.Fraser


Deborah Peters
Interior Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator

Deborah Peters grew up in Ts’kw’aylaxw, St’at’imc Nation.  She has lived in the nation most of her life and is now raising her children in Lillooet. She is a mom of 3 children who are very active in sports such as hockey, figure skating, soccer, basketball and baseball.

Showing support and involvement, Deborah is active in community as she volunteers on local boards, in coaching roles, and in the team manager role of Safety manager.  Deborah has previously worked as an Elders Coordinator, Youth Coordinator and Events planner throughout the surrounding communities in Lillooet.

One of Deborah’s proudest achievements is taking part in organizing the St’at’imc Nation’s first ever Canoe Journey and paddled across two lakes in two days. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Email: dpeters@isparc.ca
Facebook:
facebook.com/ISPARC.Interior


Tammy Watson
Northeast Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator

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.

Email: twatson@isparc.ca
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.

Email: tmuldoe@isparc.ca
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.

Email: pnatrall@isparc.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.VancouverCoastal


Vacant
Vancouver Island Region
Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator

Facebook: facebook.com/ISPARC.VancouverIsland