A Registered Social Worker has been working in the human services field for many years with the last ten years specifically concentrating on the foster care system for MCFD and Aboriginal Agencies. Based at the Vancouver Native Health Society office, he worked recruiting and educating caregivers of Aboriginal children and youth. Retiring from MCFD in 2002 Gary continued working with Aboriginal children and youth firstly at Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society on the Aboriginal Recruitment Team subsequently accepting a position at FAFP in September 2003.

My name is Gaye Smith and I am the Vancouver Coastal Regional Coordinator and the Education Coordinator for the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents. I am Metis from Manitoba. I am privileged in parenting my children who are from the Songhee Nation in Victoria and my adopted son who is Chinese bi-racial. I have committed myself to working with youth and families for more than 20 years. I was a foster parent of teens for 15 years. I retired from foster parenting knowing that my life in working with young people would take on new and exciting challenges. I spent the past 2 years developing and working on a new project committed to finding permanency options for youth in government care. I continue to be part of other community advisory panels in looking at bettering the outcomes for children and teens leaving foster care in BC. As I move ahead in my new role with FAFP, I look forward to connecting with foster parents and the community to discover new and exciting options to help us help you in caring for our most precious gifts our children. Please feel free to contact me anytime; I look forward to learning from you and with you!

My name is Sheila Ridden, my birth name was Shelly Rachel Ann Martial, and my adoptive parents changed my name at 10 yrs old when they adopted me. I am from Cold Lake First Nation. My family origin is Dene. I was born and raised in Edmonton. My husband and I, with our 2 boys, moved to the beautiful Okanagan in 2001. We are adoptive parents and been foster parents for 8 years. We are currently raising 5 children including our 4 year old grandson. I have a diploma in Aboriginal Child and Family Development program, Keyano College, Edmonton Campus. I have many years working experience with Foster Parents both in BC and Alberta. My passion has always been to work with Foster Parents. I look forward working for the Federation of Aboriginal Foster parents in the Interior region, and I thank the First Nations in the many communities for letting me work in your territory.

My name is Roxane Alec and I am a Carrier Native from the Lake Babine Nation. I come from the Beaver Clan. In 2007, I graduated with honours with my Diploma in Business Administration at CDI College. I have worked as a Receptionist and an Administrative Assistant for two very respectable organizations that have allowed me to grow and develop myself through meeting people of all levels, assisting clientele, and learning what I need to grow in the administrative role.

I lived on the reserve for my entire life, and it felt like there was a limit to how much I could succeed. So I moved to the Lower Mainland where I could gain education and employment. With that mindset, I have been able to obtain my diploma, work for some really great people, and make my mark in this city. I am proud to work for our Aboriginal people at any level as long as it has a positive outcome. Although I live and work in the city, I never forget my roots. My spouse and I teach our daughter our traditional ways; our potlatch system, carrier language and how to provide in the winter months.