Faye is Metis and was born in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. She has 3 birth children a daughter and a son. Faye is a single parent and has been fostering for 25 years. At present she has 5 special needs children ages 5 - 16 years. Faye has served as a board of director for FAFP since 1999. She actively advocates for the rights of Aboriginal foster parents and children. Faye loves the sunshine coast and resides at Gibson’s Landing BC.

Richard Lawrence Poitras (Rick) was born on May 26, 1957 at Elk Point Alberta the second youngest in a family of ten children. His father is Lloyd (Poitras/Boudreau) and mother is Mary Dion (Cunningham). Upon completion of high school, he went on to attend University of Alberta and graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree. Rick married Penny Gallagher of Kamloops BC in 1980 and successfully taught school for seven years in Alberta before relocating to his present home in Penticton, BC. Rick and Penny have four adult children, two adopted children still at home with two foster children. They have been successfully fostering for over 25 years and Rick is at present the Local President of the Penticton Foster Parent Association. Rick and Penny are very active in the local community. Rick is also the past President of the Métis Nation of BC with representation on Métis National Council. Rick has been employed as a school teacher with the Penticton Indian Band for a number of years now. Rick devotes his life to the betterment of families and children. He is very pleased with being given this honor of serving again with his appointment to the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents Board of Directors.

She is Coast Salish, born in Redonda Bay BC and is married to Alex and they have 7 grown children. Her teachings were that family is/was important which was one of the reasons she became a Restricted Foster Parent, since1986. The Points reside on the Sunshine Coast - Powell River area, with 7 children in their home ranging in ages 9 - 16 years. Doreen has been on the board for FAFP since 1999. She continues to be the voice for family and grandchildren and offers her support to any one who is needs help.

Eleanor Horvat is one of BC's dedicated foster parents. She has opened her heart and home to provide guidance, care and support to children in need. In February 2005, Eleanor will be celebrating her 38th year of care giving. These 38 years included running a 12-bedroom group home for the Squamish Nation, caring for sexually exploited teens, and physically and sexually abused boys. It also included a year of caring for young girls age 11-12, who experienced adoption breakdowns. Throughout this period of care giving, she raised four biological children: three boys and one girl.
Understanding the importance of cultural connection for Aboriginal children in care, Eleanor assists a local cultural programs and has been actively involved in The Aboriginal Foster Doll Awareness Project; a public awareness campaign to bring attention to the needs of Aboriginal children in care (www.fafp.ca/fosterdoll.html). Her life-long contributions were recognized this year, with a special award from the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society.

Tansi! My name is Jennifer Donison. I am Nehiyaw (Cree) from Saskatchewan, spending all of my life in an urban setting, mainly in Saskatoon. In 2003, my family and I relocated to British Columbia, and we have been living in Victoria, on the traditional territory of the Lkwungen and Esquimalt peoples since that time. I have been given the fortune of having three children, who are 13, 10, and 9 years old. My children ground me, and keep me humble, and I am thankful for that. I have also been a caregiver for other children for about 10 years, both in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The rewards of watching the young people, who have come into my life, are amazing, and I am truly thankful that I have been provided the opportunity to open my home to others. I have been involved in front-line social work for about five years. Before moving to Victoria, I worked for the Elizabeth Fry Society, at a community training residence for women in conflict with the law. The program looked to successfully re-integrate female offenders into the community, ensuring that adequate supports were in place before they left the residence. After moving to Victoria, I worked for three years with a delegated Aboriginal agency as a guardianship/resource social worker. Through this employment, I also had the fortune of working for a period of time with the “A Child’s Roots Are Forever” Program. Currently, I am working for the Ministry of Children and Family Development, with the Aboriginal Regional Support Services Team at Provincial Office as a Delegated Agency Practice Consultant.