Click the links below to learn more about BCMF’s dedicated Directors.
- Keith Henry, President (North Vancouver)
- Daryl Piper, Vice-President (Burnaby)
- Joe Desjarlais, Secretary (North Vancouver)
- Tim St. Denis, Treasurer (Delta)
- Rose Bortolon, Director (Prince George)
- Rene Therrien, Director (Terrace)
- Richard Lucier-larson, Director (Sidney)
- Ken Fisher, Director (Surrey)
- Beverly Lambert, Director (Surrey)
- April Mclean Collart, Director (Prince Rupert)
- Lyle Letendre, Director (Kelly Lake)
- Wendy Chernivchan, Director (Kamloops)
Keith Henry, President
Keith Henry is a Métis person that was born in Thompson, Manitoba and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Mr. Henry achieved a Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995. He began employment with the Métis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Incorporated (METSI) as the Director of Programming and quickly was promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) overseeing an annual budget of 10.3 million and 12 offices.
Having re-located to Vancouver, to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer with the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) in August 2003 proved successful as he was involved in negotiations that achieved the historic signing of the Métis Nation Relationship Accord in May 2006 with the Province of British Columbia. His latest endeavour was to start his own consulting company of which he is the President and CEO. KCD Consulting Incorporated specializes in human resource development, project delivery, strategic planning, negotiations, and leadership development.
Daryl Piper, Vice President
I am Daryl Piper and I was born in Winnipeg Manitoba and moved to Vancouver British Columbia in 1974. My business interests are predominately in the Asian community. Presently I work as an Information Officer for the China Canada Trade Foundation. As well, I currently am a member of the Asian Pacific CEO’S Club. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Cambie Lion’s Club and held the last position as Vice President of the Vancouver Cambie Lion’s Club. I have previously volunteered as the Community Cultural Coordinator for the Métis Nation of BC. I am a founding member and current Vice President of the Vancouver Métis Cultural Society.
Presently, I am the Spokesperson for the Coalition of Concerned Métis Citizens where we are currently transitioning into the newly formed BC Métis Federation where I have graciously accepted the position of Vice President. I look forward to my Charter position of Vice President for the BC Métis Federation and hope to bring about positive change so our Métis people will have a Nation to be proud of that will have a sustainable existence and preserve our Métis heritage for our children.
Joe Desjarlais, Secretary
Greetings, my name is Joe Desjarlais. I live in North Vancouver with my wife Danielle and our five children, Kayla, Lisa, Claire, Nick and Brandon. My extended Metis family is originally from St. Lazare, Manitoba, and we have lived in British Columbia for over 60 years.
I currently work as a contract tradesman as well as some contract consulting and research work as a public historian. I was trained as a schoolteacher in British Columbia, and I also currently consult with schools about aboriginal topics and curriculum. I volunteer on various committees in the community as a Metis citizen. I am pursuing graduate study in interdisciplinary humanities at Trinity Western University, where I am a founding member of the Aboriginal Partnership Council.
My contribution as a BCMF board member involves a deep sense of obligation for the public good of Metis communities. I regard the formation of the BCMF as a public ethical act that ultimately concerns every Canadian as we seek to build relationships, cultural bridges, and foster a sense of shared belonging. As a founding board member, I commit to the development of an organization that reflects the individual and collective Metis reality in Canada. This means a commitment to values in the public domain that reflect our shared history as Metis and as Canadians. Values like respect, equality, consent, and inclusion.
Tim St. Denis, Treasurer
It was an honor to be asked to serve as on Board of Directors of the BC Metis Federation. I feel I have lots to offer and take my post very seriously.
Personally I was employed by MNBC as a Health Coordinator for 10 months in 2009-2010. I left on good terms do to a lack of renewed funding. I also volunteered as an Elder Mentor in the Surrey School system. I enjoyed both experiences immensely. I most recently resigned from my volunteer position as Chair of the newly formed MNBC Research Ethics Committee.
Professionally I have been a practicing Chiropractic Doctor for the past 33 years, currently practicing in Ladner BC. I have served as a Director on both the BC Chiropractic Association and the BC College of Chiropractic. I have also served on all Executive levels of the Canadian Chiropractic Association including Treasurer, President and Chairman of the Board.
My proud Metis roots come from Lebret Saskatchewan. I have spent many years to promote what I am and now ready to work in the trenches to promote who I am.
Rose Bortolon
- President of Prince George Metis Elders Society
- Treasurer and board member for Prince George Metis Housing Society
- Committee member for the Urban Aboriginal Strategy
- Working with Kikino Children & Family Services Society
- Director for the PGMES/Womens’ Ad-Hoc Committee
- Married to Angelo Bortolon with four daughters and four grandchildren.
- Born into the Cunningham, Gauthier, Laderoute and Gladue families.
- Originally from Faust Alberta
Rene Therrien
Bio coming soon.
Richard Lucier-larson
Richard Lucier-larson A.K.A. Richard LarsonBorn Sept 5, 1933-Ma-Me-O Beach AlbertaFamily moved to B.C. 1939Resided and educated Courtney, Campbell River B.C.Raised in the Métis culture by mother and grandmother Betsy, including speaking a unique dialect of Cree/French/Shoshoni.Spent most of my working life at sea , with certificate of competence as Home Trade MasterThe last 12 years as Skipper of M.F.V. Powak ( long range Tuna Vessel) and President of Powak Fishing Co. a immediate family owned fishing business.Retired in 2000 , moved to Alberta in 2002, back to B.C. in 2010.I was one of the founders of Red River West Métis Rendezvous.A member of the Board of Directors until moving to Alberta.
- Helped form the Hivernant Cultural Society Big Valley AB, on B.O.D. to 2006.
- Moved to Delia A.B. helped form the Handbills Michif Cultural Society , on B.O.D. till 2010
- Married ( still same wife) 4 children ,10 grandchildren.
- Traditional Métis subsistence Hunter, gatherer, fisherman.
- Over 10 years as President of Métis local on Vancouver Island “Fraser/Brazeau Métis Clan Assn.”
- Totally unpaid in any capacity in Métis Cultural Societies or Local.
- Conversant in Society’s Act, B.C. or Alberta.
- Related to probably every old Métis family in Alberta and B.C.
Ken Fisher
Bio coming soon.
Beverly Lambert
My name is Beverly Lambert and I’m a Métis Cultural/Dance Instructor. I was born and raised in a small Métis community in Fort Vermilion, Alberta close to NWT Border. My dad and mom raised a family of 19 with lots of love, laughter and good values. There was always music and dancing in this house with plenty of competitors.
I have been a dancer, jigger since I was “knee high to a grasshopper” right from mom’s knee. I have 50 years experience passed down from the Metis community, but only discovered hidden talent for teaching in 1996. My mission as a board member is to focus on grassroots pride and respect all Nations. It’s all about health, culture, family and community learning together. We know it takes a whole community to raise a child.
Our traditional “Narcisse & Elsie Kitchen Parties” will revive our culture by motivating the whole family to listen, learn, and laugh together. I have very high energetic interactive workshops with full participation just like the old days, rubber boot jiggers; I will revive & promote our unique Culture and Health combination to encourage a healthy, positive lifestyle. I guarantee to lift your spirit together with lots of humour and keep you physically fit with “Métis Aerobics” and shake what your ma ma gave ya.
In order to keep the Culture alive and insure the survival of our traditional dances we must encourage the whole family to participate, full interaction, just like the way I was raised.
April Mclean Collart
My name is April McLean-Collart and I live in the Northwest Region of BC. My Métis family roots (Lafferty-Bouvier) are from the Northwest Territories and include guides, trappers, craftspersons, politicians and strong advocates for the Métis people.
I have sat, and continue to sit, on several boards in support of Women and Family Rights, Aboriginal Justice and Community Services and Housing. I am proud to be a Board Member for the British Columbia Métis Federation and look forward to working together to bring about change for the Métis people in British Columbia.
Lyle Letendre
My name is Lyle C. Letendre from the land based settlement Métis settlement of Kelly Lake where we trapped in the area since early 1800 hundreds. We traveled from the East with the explorers Selkirk David Thompson Alexander Mackenzie.
I am the volunteer president of the Kelly Lake Settlement and have been for over 20 yrs. We still live the Métis lifestyle such as speaking and understanding the language hunting trapping gathering we make traditional moose hide and utilize the whole moose.
I am honoured to sit on the BC Métis Federation board where I can see our people moving forward as recognized contributing Métis people of the province of BC and Canada.
Wendy Chernivchan
Wendy Chernivchan is extremely proud to be Métis. Wendy understands that revitalization between our culture and the people in our grassroots communities is vital to the sustainability of the Métis Nation in British Columbia.
Wendy Chernivchan was born and raised in Edmonton Alberta. She currently resides in Kamloops with her husband, her children, and grandchildren. In 2004, Wendy connected with her Métis roots when she decided to honour her Grandfathers memory by researching and documenting his Métis ancestry. Wendy and her Mother traced his roots back to the Red River in Manitoba and they gathered the necessary historical documentation to verify his Métis roots. Wendy became very passionate about genealogy and decided to compose a Métis Genealogical Guidebook to assist others with their research. She used the book to facilitate a genealogy workshop for the Two Rivers Métis Society and has future plans to publish the book.
Wendy volunteered for the Two Rivers Métis Society in Kamloops for five years. She held numerous positions on the board including President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer. During that time, Wendy successfully completed several funding applications for the society. The society received grants to organize events for National Aboriginal Day, Canada Day, as well as, funding to to cultivate a Michif language nest in Kamloops. Additionally, Wendy was responsible for coordinating jigging and fiddling lessons for the youth that culminated in a Dinner and Dance that showcased Métis artists.
In 2007, Wendy gained employment with MNBC as the Registry Clerk for the Thompson/Okanagan Region where she supported hundreds of people with the MNBC Citizenship application process. Through her position, she developed professional relationships with the Board Members and community members from the Métis communities within the Thompson/Okanagan Region. She left MNBC in 2009 to pursue post secondary education at Thompson Rivers University. Wendy graduated from the Human Service Diploma program in 2011 with a cumulative 3.96 G.P.A…
Wendy strongly believes we can breathe new life back into the Métis nation by reconnecting with the people in grassroots communities and by fostering a renewed connection to our culture. She recognizes that the BC Métis Federation (BCMF) is doing groundbreaking work that is vital to rebuilding a strong nation – a nation for the people.
