Faculty

Joan Balmer, Cert. ConRes., B.A., Certificate in Adult Education, M.A., is a management consultant with more than 20 years of experience working with all levels of government, Crown corporations and the private sector.  She specializes in working to resolve personal, interpersonal or small-group conflict and has maintained a private mediation practice since 1984.

Joanne Chrona, BA, PDP, is of Tsmishian heritage (Kitsumkalum band), and has taught secondary level English and Humanities courses for twelve years in Prince Rupert, BC. She is currently working for the Faculty of Education at SFU.  Jo has worked extensively with adults and youth in areas of literacy development, social justice and aboriginal education. Recently, she worked as a curriculum advisor and developer for English 12 First Peoples.

Vanessa Gray, BA, CRC, is a trainer, mediator and member of the instructional team at the Justice Institute of BC. As a mediator, Vanessa has resolved hundreds of complex restorative justice and family mediation disputes over the past nine years. Her professional and authentic approach with adults and teens provides counter-intuitive insights into handling tough behaviours like harassment, anger and passive-aggression. As a trainer, Vanessa engages participants with effective approaches to resolving conflict and inspires with motivational ideas to overcome barriers to team performance and success.

Teresa Howell has a PhD in counselling psychology, an MA in forensic psychology and a BSc. in biopsychology. She has been a student, volunteer, workshop facilitator, conference presenter, teacher, therapist, and researcher. Teresa's background is in Aboriginal health, mental health, and addictions and she is currently the Research Manager with the Institute for Aboriginal Health at UBC. She is passionate about teaching and working in an educational institution.

Doug Kerr, BA, MEd, has provided training programs for business, industry, all levels of government, and social profit organizations for 30 years.  He focuses his practice on instructional skills; supervisory, management and executive development; commercial negotiation skills; appreciative inquiry; and executive coaching.  Doug also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in leadership and management at post-secondary institutions in BC and Yukon.

Miskui Niibi Ikwe, Kirsten Mikkelsen, BSW, is an Anishinabe woman. Her lineage is from Animkee Waa-zhing and Manitou Ziibi of the Anishinabe Nation. In addition, her relatives come from Thisten in Danmark and Haarala of Suomi. Kirsten lives as a visitor in Coast Salish territory (Victoria).

Kirsten holds a Certificate in First Nations Family Support Worker (Camosun), BSW (First Nations Specialization with Distinction, UVIC), and a MA in Indigenous Governments (UVIC). She has recently completed a DVD series through Lifting Children's Spirit Society called Indigenous Renewal: Time for Life Again in addition to the documentary Akicita: Fighting to Live Again.

Kirsten instructs for the Justice Institute of BC's Aboriginal Leadership Certificate Program and is a sessional Instructor with UVIC's School of Social Work, Indigenization Specialization. Kirsten enjoys working in a variety of post-secondary settings and her experience broadly includes teaching distance ed/on campus, curriculum development, and administrative work with respect of Indigenous education.

Harry Nyce holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Victoria in Geography, as well as an MBA from University of Northern British Columbia. Harry has much experience in project management, including working with Human Resources Development Canada. He taught for more than 10 years at WWN/UNBC, instructing courses in First Nations Studies and in Arts. Harry is from the Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw and is currently the Chief Executive Officer for this village.

Kerry Palmer, Cert. Con. Res., Restorative Practices, Family Med., Cert. Mediator with FMC (relations), BC mediation member on both the family and child protection rosters. Kerry was born in Winnipeg Manitoba and is of Métis heritage.  His practice includes working in both the private and public sectors, supporting families in transition, the restorative practices field and as a child protection mediator. This diversity provides a unique skill set and knowledge base to the benefit of those he supports.

Pam Penner, Cert. ConRes., holds a MA (Conflict Analysis and Management) and is certified as a mediator with the Community Dispute Resolution Program. In private practice since 1998, Pam has extensive experience in facilitating strategic plans, mediating disputes, team building, and training others in communication, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills.

Carrie Joan Reid, is a PhD candidate in Expressive Arts Therapies at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. She received her Masters Degree in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.

Carrie is currently working as a private contractor. She has several years experience working in different areas that include: Community-based Research, Conflict Resolution, Art Therapy, Program Evaluations, and Curriculum Development. She teaches in several post-secondary programs in BC.

Pam Shields

Wenona Victor, MA, PhD Candidate is Stó:lo (Ts’elxweyeqw Tribe) from the Skowkale community.  She is married to Ernie Victor from the Pilalt Tribe (Cheam, Stó:lo Nation) and together they have three children. Wenona completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University in 1997 and her Master’s degree in 2001. Her thesis is titled “Searching for the Bone Needle: The Stó:lo Nation’s Continuing Quest for Justice.”  In this thesis Wenona explores the concept of “justice” according to the Stó:lo worldview and ways in which conflict was handled prior to colonization.   Wenona is currently a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University, her dissertation research is focused on Indigenous People and Self Determination with a focus on the Stó:lo Nation. 

Kory Wilson, LL.B, is a proud member of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. She is a graduate from UBC Law School and is currently the Coordinator of the Department of Aboriginal Studies at Langara College. Ms. Wilson has taught post-secondary education for the past 10 years and specializes in Aboriginal Studies, Law and Ethnic Relations. Ms. Wilson is committed and passionate about increasing education levels for First Nations people both in post-secondary institutions and at the community level.