Cheryl Brooks
Cheryl who is a Sto:lo from the community of Sts’ailes in the Upper Fraser Valley of BC, has been the President of Indigenuity Consulting Group for the past 10 years. Prior to this, she was the first aboriginal woman to achieve Associate Deputy Minister status in the BC government, holding that position in the Ministry of Energy, Mines. Cheryl has also held several other senior positions in aboriginal organizations and the corporate sector including that of the founder and first Manager of BC Hydro's highly regarded Aboriginal Relations Department.
In 1994, the Canadian Business Review recognized Cheryl as one of the first people in Canada to publicly express that relationship building between indigenous and other peoples, was the needed foundation for solutions to socio-economic disparity and its resulting tensions and conflict. The article she then wrote for the Business Review has been quoted as a seminal reference. Around the same time, her work was cited in the Hill, Sloan book on Best Practices in Aboriginal Relations. For the past 25 + years, Cheryl’s work and voluntary efforts have been focused on creating practical approaches to developing relationships that deliver tangible benefits to both the aboriginal and non- aboriginal parties in relationships.
Ms. Brooks leads the Indigenuity team in its work on relationship building between First Nations and the corporate sector, engagement and consultation processes, developing business partnerships and joint ventures. She is also recognized for her outstanding strategic planning, negotiation, communications and facilitation skills. As well as having extensive knowledge of and connections to First Nations, Ms. Brooks is an accomplished speaker and has numerous published works including the book, “In Celebration of Our Survival; the First Nations of BC" & “Rights, Risk & Respect–a First Nations Perspective".
Janis Brooks
Janis Brooks is also a Sto:lo from Sts’ailes who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Management from Vancouver Island University and a Diploma in Business Administration from Malaspina University College.
Janis is currently leading several community engagement and consultation processes, developing industry training programs, conducting strategic planning processes and working on business development opportunities. She also manages marketing and communications initiatives for ICG and for some of our clients. Our clients value her youthful enthusiasm, attention to detail and engaging communication throughout our project processes. Janis has worked with both First Nations in British Columbia and Aboriginal organizations in Australia. During her time studying abroad, she worked both with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative and the Koori Institute for Education at Deakin University.
Janis is a Ch'nook Scholars Alumni and volunteers time as a 'College Cousin' with Aboriginal high school students interested in pursuing post-secondary education. She also volunteers as a member of the AHRC’s Young Indigenous Professionals Advisory Group and is a member of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo.
Dana Bellis
Dana originates from the Old Massett First Nation in Haida Gwaii and is proud of her Haida and Irish ancestry. After completing her Bachelors’ degree in History and Women’s Studies from the University of Northern British Columbia, Dana studied abroad and achieved a Masters Degree in Indigenous Studies from the University of Tromsø, Norway. She is a current member of the Association of Early Career Scientists.
Dana has participated in and contributed to many conferences on Indigenous Issues. While working for the UBC Coastal Communities Research Project she honed her research, analysis, data management and report writing skills. Dana has also demonstrated her planning, coordinating and marketing abilities through her contributions to the voluntary sector, and is particularly proud of her work with the UNBC Girls Mini Rugby Program.
Indigenuity is looking forward to drawing on Dana’s skills and energy to meet our clients’ needs in the areas of research, strategic planning, community engagement and consultation, facilitation and report writing.
Brock Endean
Brock Endean is a member of the Métis Nation (Secwepemc heritage) and has formally studied in Commerce and Tourism. In the past, Brock spent several months volunteering in Peru - it was during his work with the Quechua people that Brock discovered his true passion for sustainable development and capacity building with Indigenous nations.
After returning, Brock accepted the role of Manager of the Chase Chamber of Commerce, where he focused on tourism development and promotional efforts. In 2010, Brock joined the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Network, based at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and took the lead role for the Scholars Network, which supports First Nations students throughout BC in their studies of business education. Brock works closely with First Nations leaders, Deans, industry professionals, and community members to identify ways to support and encourage sustainable economic development for BC’s First Nations communities. Brock brings his skills in community and public engagement, project management, logistics, and education/training programs to the Indigenuity team and is looking forward to working with clients.
