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Chief & Council
Interim Chief Steven Brown
First elected to council in 2019, Steven Brown is the longest serving member of current council. He grew up in Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island, where he spent his time in the village and working in aquaculture and logging camps. A graduate of the University of Victoria, and current masters student in the University of British Columbia School of Community and Regional Planning, he is proud to have been the first in his family to earn a university degree.
Previously, he worked with the Nation at Klahoose Resort Limited Partnership, Comprehensive Community Plan, and as a policy advisor. In addition to his employment, he volunteers as a board director for Cortes Forestry General Partnership.
Brown’s focus and passion is policy and governance. Working to remove Klahoose First Nation from as much of the Indian Act as possible and restoring the decision-making power to the Nation, where it belongs.
His portfolios include: Housing, Governance, Treaty, and Economic Development.
Councillor
Patricia McDougall
Councillor Patricia McDougall is one of the newest members to the team, elected in July 2021. Patricia has a diploma in Business Administrations from BCIT, and a BA in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University.
She has a background in aboriginal administration and governance spanning 20 + years.
Patricia has worked for Klahoose as the Employment Coordinator for the Jimmie Creek Project, wrote for the Salish Sea Sentinel and Klahoose newsletter and acted as the Coordinator for the grizzly bear tours on a seasonal basis.
Patricia holds the education and finance portfolios, is the Chair for the Finance Committee and sits as a director on the QXMC Board. Patricia is passionate about sharing with others her approach and practices to holistic health and wellness modalities.
Councillor Johnny
Hanuse
Johnny Hanuse spent his childhood at the Klahoose First Nation reserve on Cortes Island. This is where he developed his love for literature, photography, skateboarding, playing guitar and singing. Eventually, his interests led to many different career opportunities.
He was a communications coordinator for KFN; board member of the Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation; completed the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program (now called IYIP), where he worked at the Ministry of Environment: BC Parks; he completed a 3-year term as the B.C. Assembly of First Nation’s male youth council representative on the national youth council engaging with young leaders from across the country.
He is currently majoring in Political Science at UVic with a focus on policy and law. On his days off he can be found at the skatepark, cycling around the city or playing soccer. His portfolios include: Social Development and Fisheries.
Councillor Emily White
Councillor Emily White was elected to Council in July 2021, making her the youngest member of Klahoose Council. She holds the Language & Culture and Health Portfolios.
Emily Graduated from the University of Victoria in 2021 with a Major in Indigenous Studies and a Minor in Applied Ethics.
Emily is actively learning , and has ongoing experience in language research, and community-based health and wellness research. She looks forward to working with the community in the time to come. Her portfolios include: Finance and Education.
(I raise my hands to you all).
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