Meet the Team

Basil (he/him)

Peer Responder

Basil is from the Mowachaht- Muchalaht First Nations. He has lived in Lekwungen territories for 2 years. His favorite foods are chicken and ribs. His recreational activities include gaming, chilling and hanging at the mall. He has been working in harm reduction for 2 years. He is proud to help and spread the love as he received love and support and it feels good to give back. He enjoys the friendships he has made and community that he lives in.  

Billy (he/him)

Peer Responder

Billy is proud full blooded Coast Salish, born and raised on Vancouver Island. His mom’s side is Pauquachin First Nation on Cooper Island and his dad’s side is from the Tsartlip First Nation in Brentwood Bay. He is very proud of his two daughters and he also has a beautiful granddaughter who melts his heart. His favourite foods are Indian Tacos and breaded almond chicken from Ocean Garden. He has worked in harm reduction for a year and a half. It makes his heart feel happy to help others after all the help he has received.

Chass (he/him)

Peer Responder

Chass is Coast Salish and Blackfoot and has lived in Lekwengun territory his whole life. He is a Leo and loves to eat seafood. He has been working in harm reduction for a year. He loves helping others and it feels good to connect with all the family and friends he has made over the years.

Jamie (she/her)

Peer Responder

Jamie is from the Plains Cree Nation; her family originates from the Alberta and Manitoba areas and are residential school survivors. She was born and raised in lək̓ʷəŋən territory. Jamie loves seafood and spending time with her family and her dog Suzie.  She has been with Peers for three years and loves working in harm reduction because the need is great, and she is a dedicated advocator to getting those needs met in the community. She is known as a nurturer and “Mom” at the shelter where she works, but she does run a tight ship.

Sylvia (she/her)

Peer Responder

Sylvia is Nu Chul nath her mother is from Ahousat Nation and her father is from Gold River. She grew up and lived in Lekwungen Territories since she was a teenager. She loves traditional seafood and sharing those foods with family. She’s been in HR for over a year. She loves connecting with the street family and supporting and giving back to them. 

Feryn (they/them)

Tent Coordinator

Tansi my name is Feryn , I am Cree and Ukrainian. I was Born in Calgary, left at 17 to seek a deeper connection to the land/belonging in the world- from there travelled for over a decade. Most recently moved from Cortes Island to lək̓ʷəŋən territory, to expand my understanding of Indigenous Harm Reduction practices and strengthen ties to culture and community. My joy- is in creating with my hands, and singing. This work in community is guided with a tender heart, shaped by loved ones lost. Im here to learn and grow alongside these beautiful people.

Ange(she/her)

Indigenous Housing Outreach/Peer Coordinator |outreach@qomqem.com

Ange is Cree/ Metis from the Swan River First Nation in Alberta. She studied at Camosun College and has a certificate in Indigenous Family Support and Diploma in Community, Family and Child Studies. She has lived in the beautiful Lekwungen Territories for 10 years with her 3 children.

Justina(she/her)

Culture and Wellness Team Lead |culture@qomqem.com

Justina Seymour is from the Tsartlip First Nation. She has completed the Indigenous Family Support Certificate Program through Camosun. Justina has also completed the Certificate and Diploma with UVic on Language Proficiency and Revitalization. Justina takes great pride in Coast Salish Culture and is always willing to help with culture.

Christie (she/her)

Housing Outreach Worker |christier@qomqem.com

Christie is a member of the Namgis Nation located in present day Alert Bay. She has been living in lək̓ʷəŋən territories most of her life while supporting folks who have or are currently experiencing homelessness and/or being precariously housed. Her passion is to build strong relationships with the street family while offering social and cultural supports when appropriate.  She is in her second year at Camosun College studying Criminology. She hopes to work as a probation officer utilizing her skills and knowledge to support Indigenous folks who are engaged with the justice system.

Vanessa (she/her)

Peer Responder

Vanessa is just happy to be here. She’s ts’msyen from metlakatla First Nation on her dads side and all the ish’s (Scottish/Irish/english) on her moms side. She is so grateful to be able to do work with QomQem and is committed to upholding accessibility and sustainability for all the wonderful services they provide. She’s been with Peers for almost a decade, but is a new member of the QomQem team. She has a diploma in mental health and addictions and hopes to prioritize culture, revitalization and decolonization in her practice.

Mary MacLeod-Beaver (she/her/they/them)

Administrative Support |admin@qomqem.com

Mary is from Alderville First Nation, a michi saagiig nishnaabeg community located in southern Ontario. She has been living as a guest on lək̓ʷəŋən territory for two years. Currently in the Child and Youth Care program at the University of Victoria, Mary has several years of experience working as a support and resource for Indigenous communities and organizations.

Victor (he/him)

Indigenous Outreach

NE SNA S’XA-XUL-TUN SEYMOUR from QUW’UTSUN , STZ’UMINUS RESERVES , my borrowed name is Victor Seymour , grew up on STZ’UMAINUS Bay Reserve, and I have Lived on Tsartlip Reserve for 26 years now. Happily Married, and I’ve been working in Harm Reduction for One Year, enjoy it. I have mostly been at the IOW tent on Monday and Wednesdays.

I enjoy watching Hockey, Lacrosse, like most foods, but like Chinese the best /most.

Lacey (she/her)

Program Director |director@qomqem.com

Lacey Jones is from the Snuneymuxw Nation on her mother’s side and has ancestry to Wales and Germany on her father’s side. She is a mother to two daughters and one stepson. Lacey has completed both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria. She has been in the helping/support worker field for nearly seven years and has been working outreach for several years. She feels honored and blessed to have met so many beautiful relatives and people over the years.