Building great services depends on great people. There are more than 300 staff members behind the services offered every day – from Teachers, Doctors to Financial Analysts.
All seven of our departments play a vital role in the success and balance of our organization. Although each department, program or service might have its own mandate, all of our employees share common goals and visions for Seabird Island.

Executive Director
Jason is a Seabird Island Band Member and has family lineage to the Peters family. He has extensive work experience politically and in the public sector. He comes to us from Correctional Service Canada project officer for Aboriginal initiatives holding the section 84 portfolio and community programs officer. He has served 2 terms on the Seabird Island Chief and Council, the past 5 years as director on the Lands Advisory Board, chairs the Stó:lō Community Futures Board of Directors and is a member on the BC RCMP Indigenous Cultural Advisory Committee.
Jason is completing his MBA in Executive Management of Business Administration for Indigenous Business and Leadership and has an educational background in criminology, kinesiology and aboriginal studies.

Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning is the Self-Government function of Seabird Island. The Strategic Planning portfolio supports the rights of Seabird people and land. The team manages the flow of strategic planning for self-government both internally and externally. In doing so we maintain our membership rosters, Lands & Rights and Title.
As Seabird Island’s Strategy Advisor, Chuck is responsible for Seabird Island’s day-to-day operations, as well as leading the company’s development and strategy. Chuck was raised on Seabird Island and began working as Chief Administrative Officer (previously Band Manager) over 30 prosperous years ago. Through his vision, the work of the Directors, and the support of Chief and Council, Seabird Island has flourished into the company it is today.

Finance & Administration
Finance & Administration oversees the daily operations of Seabird Island. They design processes to support our community. They provide forward thinking and analysis. They manage our expenditures, revenues, and all aspects of Seabird Island’s financial affairs.
Nigel Selvadurai has been employed with Seabird Island since 2009 as Finance Comptroller. Prior to working with Seabird Island, Nigel worked as an accountant and auditor for Terry D. Mitchell and MNP LLP where he was a part of the Seabird Island Audit Team from 2002 to 2009. Nigel is a Chartered Professional Accountant, who has a Bachelors in Business Administration and is a Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager.
During his time as Comptroller for Seabird Island, Nigel lead the Finance team in developing higher level financial controls, full cycle accounting, financial analyst development, audit preparation, financial statement development, cash flow, investment management and the implementation of the purchasing and procurement program. He is passionate about building financial and administrative capacity, to ensure future prosperity of First Nation communities. Nigel has been a part of the Chilliwack community for the past 25 years, where he lives with his two young daughters and lovely wife.
Programs & Services
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- Assessment & Taxation
- CAO’s Office
- Financial Analysis
- Health & Safety
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Payroll & Benefits
- Records

Inter – Governmental Affairs
Programs & Services
- Communications
- Events
- IRA Membership
- Lands
- Lands Leases
- Natural Resources
- Referrals

Health
Health Department provides health programs to First Nations people. They take a holistic view of health with consideration of the social, emotional, intellectual, physical and cultural aspects of overall health and well-being.
Lolly is a Seabird Island band member and has been working here for the past 8 years. For several of those years she was mentored by past Health Director, Heather McDonald.
Lolly brings with her a vast expertise in leadership and health fields, having completed an Aboriginal Health and Administration program at University of British Columbia. She also holds a Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads.
Lolly’s name is probably not a new one for many staff. She has been very active as a band member for many years outside of working at Seabird Island. She believes deeply that we all work together for the good of the community and has embodied the saying: lets’ emot, one heart and one mind. Her focus on community, teamwork and inclusivity helps to create opportunities for members to provide feedback on the programs and services we provide to them.
Her strong ties to the community, cultural strength and experience will be a great benefit to Seabird Island. Lolly has had strong role models in her aunties and parents, which she credits for helping shape who she is today. Her greatest passion has been her journey to healing her own past trauma and pain, which has helped her realize that we are all strong and resilient, and that we continue to grow in a balanced way through mind, body and spirit.
Seabird Island has already grown and become stronger through Lolly’s contributions over the years and her commitment to the community. We are honoured to have her as Health Director and look forward to seeing her continued contributions to Seabird’s vision, growth and success.
Programs & Services
- A:yelexw Recovery Homes
- Better at Home
- Care Aid
- Child & Family Services
- Child Protection
- Community Health
- Community Water
- Counseling
- Cultural Trauma
- Dental Clinic
- Doctor Clinic
- Elders’ Programs
- Elders’ Mobility
- Eye Exams
- Family Development
- Family Counseling
- Family Support
- Family Home
- Foot Care
- Genealogy
- Health Administration
- Health Drivers
- Health Services
- Home & Community Care
- Home Support
- Kwiyo:s
- Legal Clinic
- License Practical Nurses
- Mammogram Clinic
- Maternal & Child Health
- Medical Clinic
- Men’s Recovery Center
- Midwife
- Mobile Diabetes Program
- Naturopathic Medicine Traditional Healing
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Pharmacy
- Physician
- Residential Support
- Social Development (Income Assistance)
- Traditional Wellness
- Women’s Recovery Center
- Youth Initiatives

Early Childhood Education
All programs operating within Seabird Island Early Childhood Programs base their curriculum around teaching and incorporating the eight pillars; Culture & Language, Family Involvement, Special Needs, Emotional Competency, Nutrition, Health, Education and Social Support.
Carlene Brown has been with the Early Childhood Development here at Seabird Island for the past 20 years, starting out as the Daycare manager and gradually incorporating all the Early Childhood Development programs under one roof. She has been in the Early Childhood Education field for the past 32 plus years and holds her ECE, Infant/Toddler and Special Needs Certificates.
Carlene believes that the 1st years of every child’s life is when the foundation of their life-long learning journey is set. Her goal is to have all the Early Childhood Programs at Seabird Island positive, educational and inclusive.
Programs & Services
- Aboriginal Infant Development
- A-PALS
- B.E.A.R. – Bus for Education
& Aboriginal Resources - Daycare Infants & Toddlers
- Early Childhood Education
- Ey Qwàl Speech & Language
- Head Start
- Maternal Child Health
- Many Voices, One Mind
- Out of School Care / Summer Program
- Parents & Tots
- Preschool 3’s & 4’s
- Supported Child Development & MCFD
- Young Parent Education
- Youth Group & Outings

Education
I come from Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan. I have 6 children, 8 grandchildren and one great grandchild. I come from a large family but both of my parents are deceased.
I am a Cree woman and I speak my language fluently. I have a firm belief that the Indigenous languages hold our world view, our ways of knowing and are in danger of being lost. My people went through the Residential School System and the Indian Day schools. Our sacred ceremonies were outlawed. As a result, many of our people were not able to speak our languages nor were cultural practices a part of our everyday reality for quite a few years.
My nuclear family comprised of my paternal grandfather, uncles and my father went into the deep woods to get away from the Residential School System. When I was taking my Master’s of Education classes, I read about the Pagans who were residing in Otter Lake, Saskatchewan, so I come from a family of pagans and for that I am grateful. I entered Pelican Indian Day school speaking Cree fluently. When I asked to go to the washroom in my language, I was punished by my teacher and was made to stand in the corner in front of the classroom, much to the enjoyment of my older brother.
I am quite honored to work for Seabird Island First Nation as the Director of Education. I plan on working hard for the Band to further education opportunities and employment for the Band membership. I look forward to meeting you.
Ekosi pitama!
Sincerely,
Julia Johnston
Programs & Services
- Seabird Community School
- Seabird High School
- Seabird College
- Employment and Pre- employment Services Program

Community Infrastructure
The Community Infrastucture teams are dedicated to being on the cutting edge of many fields through innovation as well as renewable and green technologies. Responsible for the overall planning, development and management of the housing and public works resources and oversees our rental housing units, as well as the security, maintenance and custodial services at our headquarters.
Programs & Services
- Building Maintenance
- Community Policing & Security
- Curbside Garbage, Recycling & Compost Collection
- Custodial
- Emergency Preparedness
- Fire Department
- Future Construction
- Grounds
- Home Ownership
- Housing
- Housing Maintenance & Renovations
- Housing Rentals
- Public Works
- Sanitation