2023 Board Member Nominees

Barbara Joe, CAFM

I am happy to stand for re-election to the Board of Directors for AFOA BC. I have been on the board of directors since 2017 and have served as the President for the last two terms. It would be an honor to continue to serve our members in BC with informative conferences, engaging workshops and expanding our organizational capacity.

I have experience as a Finance Director, Chief Administrative Officer and a Council member and have a CAFM designation. This experience has allowed me to facilitate workshops for many Nations in BC and Canada, and I remain committed to Building Capacity Together with our AFOA BC team.

Barbara is of Kaska Dena heritage, daughter of Martha Shorty, granddaughter of Yanima from Lower Post, BC. She has 3 grown children, Ashley, Sarah and Lakota.

Billy-Joe Checko

I have stated previously, I believe in AFOA BC. How you support the clients I serve and other Indigenous organizations is a big reason why I continue to support you and your team. Positions of financial leadership within an Indigenous organization are challenging, thus, I always refer newer CFO’s, Band Managers and Economic Development CEO’s to AFOA BC to help make their transition a little easier.

I come from a commerce and entrepreneurial background, spending the last 10+ years in the financial services sector, with a focus on risk management. I have spent the last 4 years working in HUB International Insurance Brokers Indigenous specialty practice where I am humbled to be able to help protect Indigenous people, their assets, their businesses and organizations. I am grateful to be able to travel around this province and see some of the most beautiful places on this Earth and meet with some of the best people in the world.

Giving back is a large part of my life, both money and time. In just about any organization I am involved in I look for opportunities to be of service. Sure, I give because I think it’s the right thing to do, but I also do it for a selfish reason – because I get so much out of it. As you know, I already serve AFOA BC in bringing topical content for conferences. With that, how can I not further offer my service to this organization that offers so much to the clients I serve.

Service Highlights:

Volunteer – Hero Work
Past President – Rotary Club of Nanaimo – Ocean Side
Ambassador – Chamber of Commerce Nanaimo
Ambassador – Chamber of Commerce Victoria
Raise money for and travel to Nicaragua to build homes for those in need
Operating Committee – Vancouver Intergroup Society
Numerous other service positions with many other originations

I always look to provide more than just ‘peace of mind’ to my clients, this would be another great way to do so. I will bring my experience, passion and willingness to serve to the Board.

Dan Relihan

Dan is a professional accountant (CPA, CGA) who has spent the last 25 years working to help students choose and succeed in accounting careers. In addition to this work with CGA and CPA over these years, Dan has also served as President of The Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers and Treasurer of Aids Vancouver. Dan is presently an accounting instructor at Langara College. Over the past several years Dan has also worked with AFOA Canada and CPA Canada to align the CAFM designation with the CPA profession. Most recently he has worked with AFOA BC to successfully launch the first cohort of the AFOA Indigenous Financial Management Certificate.

Dan lives in Vancouver where he enjoys hiking, nature photography, riding his bike, and playing his guitar.

Heather Fader, MBA, CHRP, CAPA

Heather has a diverse background in First Nation and Non-First Nation Organizations, and she has worked in public, private, large, and small corporations and government. She has been working First Nations for the last 16 years in Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Governance, and Economic Development.

She is currently the Chief Administrative Officer with Chawathil First Nation in Hope, BC. She is also the owner of Fader Consulting providing Governance, Policy, Human Resources, Finance, Economic Development, Strategic Planning and Business Organizational Structure services to First Nations.

She recently completed her MBA in Indigenous Business and Leadership at SFU, she has her Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) Designation, is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and is now pursuing a Certified Aboriginal Financial Management (CAFM) designation with AFOA Canada. She is a strong believer and supporter of lifelong learning.

Heather has been a member of AFOA BC since 2009 and a Board member since 2015 and looks forward to the opportunity to continue to contribute her time, knowledge and experience to the growth and development of capacity, programs, and services in First Nations.

Rayna Barter

Rayna Barter is currently the Finance Manager for BC Assembly of First Nations. She lives and works on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. She has worked in First Nations Finance, in varying capacities, since 1999.

Rayna has a Bachelor of Commerce from UNBC and holds the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) Designation since 2015 and the Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) Designation since 2019. Rayna has been a member of AFOA since 2006

During her career Rayna has worked for Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) and Burns Lake (T’sil Kaz Koh) Band prior to accepting her current position at BCAFN.

During her 10-year tenure at CSTC she spent over half of her time providing Finance Advisory Services to the 8 communities that make up CSTC. Her work in the communities allowed her to understand some of the struggles that many communities face. Not just around sub-par funding and overly onerous reporting, but with capacity development and retention of qualified employees.

Rayna’s passion is education, as she is a lifelong learner. She has spent many years volunteering in her community as a ringette coach and a learn to run leader. When not working, Rayna loves spending time with her family and friends, camping, running/weightlifting and being outdoors.

Sarabjit (Serge) Parmar

A successful First Nation Professional with 40+ years of experience in Canada with First Nation Government and Federal Government. A First Nation Senior Management in Area of Governance, Administration, Financial Management. Expert in area of Indian Monies, served as the technical advisor to AFN National Chief in area of Indian Monies, Policy Development, CFA and Health Agreements. Part of the Committee in development of Bill C-54 Oil Gas and Monies Legislation which was passed by the Parliament and become a First Nation Federal Legislation in Canada. Part of Committee to work on IOGC regulations, worked with DIAND National level to work on Indian Monies Policy Development. I have strong interpersonal skills, sound management and decision-making abilities. I have an extensive knowledge in the areas of Treaties, Land & Title, Indian Monies, Lands and Trust Services and Indian Act.

I possess a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree with broad business knowledge and skills across several areas. I have an extensive experience in management, finance, negotiations with federal agencies and business developments. I have overseen Tribal banking with CIBC and facilitated a commercial loan for $2M with CIBC and the Accounting/Finance department. I also prepare audit files and working papers for the year-end audit. I have extensive knowledge in the areas of Treaties, Indian Monies, Lands and Trust Services and the Indian Act. I have worked with various Government agencies such as INAC, Indian Oil and Gas of Canada, AFN, etc. I served the Treaty Six Chiefs as part of the technical committee working on CFA for health- a health agreement with FNIHB. I have technical experience and expertise in broad-based general management, team-oriented executive focus, multiple department operational experience, public sector administrative experience, financial strategist and human resource strategist and possess a political acuity and demonstrate a track record of building strong relationships. I am a highly motivated professional who strives for excellence and provides quality leadership. I enjoy learning and being able to apply my education and previous experiences in my work.

VARIOUS POSITIONS HELD WITH FIRST NATIONS:

Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer, Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Bella Bella, BC
Sustainability Officer, 468 First Nation, Fort McMurray, AB
Chief Executive Officer, Lynn Lake, MB
CEO for External Relations, Upper Nicola Band, BC
Band Manager and Co-Manager, Sucker Creek First Nation, Enilda, AB
Band Manager, Saulteaux First Nation, North Battleford, SK
Co- Manager, Nation Administrator and Finance Manager Kehewin Cree Nation, AB
Finance Director – Ermineskin Cree Nation, AB

Teri Muldon, CAFM, Business Administration

Teri Muldon is a Controller at the Kispiox First Nation in Kispiox, BC. Teri is a current member on the Board of Directors for AFOA BC. Previously, Teri has worked for MNP as an account manager and a Commercial Account Manager, Indigenous Markets, at RBC. She has also worked for Skwah, Sts’ailes and Kitselas First Nations as a Finance Director. She has 37 years of experience providing full cycle accounting and administrative services in an office environment. While at Kitselas and Sts’ailes, Teri was an active member of the Finance and Audit Committees for nine years. Teri is a CAFM and her education also includes a diploma in Business Administration.

Teri grew up in Hazelton, B.C. and is a member of the Gitxsan Nation. Work attributes include: paying attention to detail; being thorough with a need to be accurate; ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks at hand; and finally, is professional and reliable.

During her personal time you will find Teri quilting or creating some sort of craft. Family is extremely important to her and takes every opportunity to spend time with them. Teri has a great sense of humour and gets along very well with peers.