Workshop Facilitators and Supporters
Debbie Douez
Debbie Douez is a professional art therapist and artist located in Lək̓ʷəŋən territory (Esquimalt) and is one of the founders of the Art of Reconciliation project. Debbie has been on her own deep learning journey since first learning about residential school history in 2012 while creating a short film up in Fort Nelson. The shock of learning about such an important part of our shared history so late in life had a significant impact on her career. Since making that short film Debbie has focused her career almost entirely on decolonizing and reconciliation efforts, from helping to create the Reconciliation reporting beat at The Discourse, an online news media organization, to working with the Musqueam Nation to help retell an important aspect of their history through the exhibition Cesnam, at the Museum of Vancouver, to working directly with Indigenous clients at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre as an Art Therapist. Today Debbie is focused on helping to facilitate the learning journey of young adults and her community through her work on the Art of Reconciliation project.
Tanya Clarmont
Tanya is Teme-Augama Anishnabai on her father’s side and her community is Bear Island Reserve in Ontario, a water access only community. She is also French Canadian from the Ottawa Valley on her mother’s side. She acknowledges and embraces both sides of her culture and has made efforts to learn both the Anishnabai and French languages. Tanya moved to BC to further her education while also continuing her career with the Friendship Centre Movement, which dates back to 2001. She currently works for the Victoria Native Friendship Centre as the Director of Management Services. She has also held positions at the BC provincial and national level of the Friendship Centre Movement. In her consulting roles, Tanya works with the Called to Action Collaborative to deliver customized learning tools and programs related to cultural safety, reconciliation, the TRC Calls to Action, UNDRIP and Indigenous financial literacy.
Diane Sam
Diane Sam (Songhees/Ahousaht) joined IACE in September 2019 as the Cultural Protocol Liaison. She brings extensive experience working in community as a Team Leader at Songhees Cultural Centre and an Education Assistant for over 20 years. Diane said one of the highlights of her job is “working with the Elders and community.” She played an key role in engaging community in the Orange Shirt Day events, the Indigenous Recognition Ceremony and student and faculty welcome ceremonies. Her message to students is “when your knowledge keeper wants to share teachings be sure to open your heart to take it all in.” She likes to spend time with her family and occasionally travelling for Shalhal. Diane is currently taking Lekwungen languages classes.
Patrick Harriott
Patrick Harriott is currently Region 1 Regional Director, the Minister of Citizenship and Community Services as well as Culture, Language and Heritage at the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC). Patrick Harriott spent most of his childhood in Manitoba where he frequently hunted and picked chokecherries with his grandfather on their family’s Métis scrip lands. He moved to the WSANEC people’s land near Victoria at the age of 12 where he is grateful to now be raising his three children. A love of Métis culture and community drew him to volunteer his time with Métis Nation Greater Victoria. He spent nine years on the Board of Directors, including four as President. Harriott helped organize two consecutive Métis rendezvous on Vancouver Island and create a Michif language program in Victoria.
Carey Newman
Carey Newman, whose traditional name is Hayalthkin’geme, is a multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist, master carver, filmmaker, author and public speaker. Through his father he is Kwakwak’awakw from the Kukwekum, Giiksam, and WaWalaby’ie clans of northern Vancouver Island, and Coast Salish from Cheam of the Sto:lo Nation along the upper Fraser Valley. Through his mother he is a Settler of English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. In his artistic practice he strives to highlight Indigenous, social, and environmental issues as he examines the impacts of colonialism and capitalism, harnessing the power of material truth to unearth memory and trigger the necessary emotion to drive positive change. He is also interested in engaging with community and incorporating innovative methods derived from traditional teachings and Indigenous worldviews into his process.
Angelique Bulosan
Angelique Bulosan (they/she) is Filipino-Canadian, born and raised on unceded, stolen, Lekwungen Territory – colonially known Victoria, BC, Canada. They are a consultant, anti-oppressive facilitator and artist. Bulosan’s areas of practice are: Aboriginal Policy & Practice Framework advocacy, Anti-Oppressive Facilitation, Anti-Racism, Art Engagement, Change Management , Gender Based Analysis+ (GBA+), Intersectionality, JEDDI – Justice, Equity, Decolonization, Diversity & Inclusion, JEDDI Coaching, LEAN Process Improvement, Project Management, Youth Mentorship
Lorilee Wastasecoot
Lorilee Wastasecoot is an Ininew iskwew from Peguis First Nation. She grew up in Treaty 1 territory in Winnipeg before re-locating to Victoria. Lorilee has worked at Legacy Art Gallery in various grant funded positions until she stepped into the role of Curator of Indigenous Art and Engagement in 2021. During her time at the Legacy she has collaborated on numerous school tours focusing on educating school-aged and post-secondary students about Indigenous knowledge and residential schools. She has curated major exhibitions such as We Carry our Ancestors (2019) and On Beaded Ground, and the UVic Indigenous Art on Campus Tour and website.
