Staff Directory

Kiʔsuʔk kyukyit. 

Hu qakⱡik Jason Andrew. Hu n̓ini Ktunaxa, hu q̓aki qaxi ʔaq̓am. 

Greetings, my name is Jason Andrew. I am Ktunaxa, and I am from the community of ʔaq̓am. 

I am the Director of the Economic & Investment Sector and I have been an employee with the Ktunaxa Nation Council for over 15 years. 

I have had the privilege to serve my community as a member of ʔaq̓am ʔiⱡwat̓naʔis (Council) since 2018.

Shane is an entrepreneur at heart. He was a project manager in England for over 8 years and has owned and General Managed multiple, diversified businesses in Canada. He brings this business experience with him to the Ktunaxa Nation to support and assist the Economic & Investment Sector. He also provides one-on-one mentoring and coaching of Ktunaxa entrepreneur’s and businesses. Please reach out to him if you have any business related questions.

Kiʔsuk kyukyit,

Tanis is the Strategic Initiatives Manager for the Economic & Investment Sector. She is responsible for researching and analyzing economic trends and issues that impact the Ktunaxa Economy. Tanis' analytical research is applied within negotiations and decision making processes across the organization. 

Her work supports our sector to progressively remove policy and institutional barriers that Ktunaxa Citizens and Communities may face when dealing with the Province and Industry.

Tanis has been with the E&I team since 2017. She has a BA in Economics and focused on natural resource and water economics in her studies. She is currently working, albeit VERY slowly, on her masters degree (undeclared – leaning towards Governance and Change Management). Before coming to the KNC she worked for several years with the Central Coast Regional District as the Community Economic Development Officer where she implemented several community based activities (online business directory, community grant program, Economic Development Advisory Committee, etc.) and led several community-based workshops/business supports on grant writing, navigating Provincial red tape, food systems and security, and tourism planning and development.

At the KNC, in addition to the Economic & Investment Sector, Tanis regularly supports the Finance department, mining teams, negotiations, and Core operations. She can be relied on to provide a critical eye on agreements, processes, and policies (internal and external) for missed economic opportunity. Tanis is always down for a chat about economics, systems, and process development.

Industry Engagement Officer

Brings 27+ years’ experience working within the Ktunaxa Nation in various capacities.

Marion’s role is dedicated to the expansion of inter-sectoral and external relationships and collaborations that are organizationally and philosophically aligned to the vision and values of KNC and the Nation, contributing to strategic initiatives with industry and government. 

Canfor, BC Hydro, Columbia Power, Fortis BC, Paper Excellence, TC Energy and Teck are examples of Industries I work with.
 

Kiʔsuʔk Kyukyit, I’m Janice Alpine from the Ktunaxa Nation. Early in my career I wanted to ensure I would make a difference on people’s outlook on life. I was a key individual in conducting many research surveys, policy development in education, housing and safety regulations that have assisted with the current agreements my nation has in place today. 

I then moved on to enhance my education and took an intensive course in Tourism and Hospitality Management - Hotel and Motel Management a two-year program that was condensed into nine months and successfully passed with a 4.0 average. Utilizing my newfound knowledge took me from project development manager of our current prestigious St. Eugene Mission Resort to Band management, to becoming my own consulting business for over twelve years assisting my communities in developing policies and procedures in all aspects of band administration and governance. Currently I am a Business Development Officer and most recently added Tourism Engagement to my duties with the Kootenay Aboriginal Business Development Agency. In my tenure with KABDA I work with entrepreneurs to reach their goals by offering business support. In 2011 I challenged the Technical Level of Aboriginal Economic Development and received my certification though Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. As I advanced in my position I was able to acquire my certification in Later Violence and offered the workshops through the Ktunaxa Communities and at the Ktunaxa Nation Council level and organization staff and Nazko First Nation in Quesnel BC. I worked with Small Business BC to become a Taking the Stage facilitator for women in business. Most recent certificate added to my CV is Advanced Ombuds Essentials received in 2021. 

In 2015 I was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Awarded through Community Future’s BC. I was also nominated for the Kootenay Business Magazine Inspirational Business Woman of the year in 2012. In 2018 I received my Ombuds certification through York University. 

I have been involved in many volunteer efforts since 1999 that include Manager for Ktunaxa Nation Dance Troupe, and sit on many boards and committees: recently complete my nine year term with Community Futures East Kootenay and one year with Community Futures BC, recently completed my three year term with Ministers Tourism Engagement Council; Board of Director: Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Cranbrook Tourism, Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce; College of the Rockies Business Management Program Advisory, ʔakisq̓nuk Housing Society, Qat̓muk Steering Committee working on the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area; Crown of the Continent Executive and Columbia River Treaty Heritage Project Steering Committee.  In my free time I assist my community with their governance structure which is proving to be favorable. Huyas!

One of my main roles is to support the implementation of the procurement processes set out in the IMBA and to monitor Teck’s participation in the process.

 Tasks within the procurement role include:

• Provide Ktunaxa businesses with the appropriate documents and tools to help them with contracting  opportunities at Teck,
• Facilitate site and networking events with Teck Coal,
• Identify and develop initiatives to address barriers and challenges that may prevent a Ktunaxa business having access to opportunities at Teck Coal,
• Track and report out on spend with Ktunaxa businesses and affiliated partners.

Other functions include working with the prime contractor at Kicking Horse Canyon in Golden to provide opportunities for Ktunaxa businesses, supporting the Ktunaxa Business Certification process, the Ktunaxa Economic Summit, and provide support to the Economic Sector team as needed.