Our Team
The work at the Qwelmínte Secwépemc office (QSO) could not be done without the strong leadership and technicians on the ground. At the QS Office, the staff work to move forward the actions and goals which the collective sets. The staff at the QS Office come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing together their unique experiences and expertise to inform and support the work of the Government-to-Government (G2G) collective.
Skú7pecen Journey
Executive Director
Darrel Draney
Responsible Official
Darrel Draney serves as the Responsible Official for the Qwelmínte Secwépemc Office, supporting the collective governance work between the Qwelmínte Secwépemc Signatory Nations and the Province of British Columbia through the Government-to-Government framework.
Darrel brings more than a decade of experience advancing Secwépemc–BC relations and supporting the development and implementation of key agreements guiding this work, including the Reconciliation Framework Agreement, the QS–BC Letter of Commitment, and Skú7pecen’s Journey Letter of Commitment.
He also brings over 18 years of leadership experience with Skeetchestn Indian Band, where his work focused on community governance, negotiations with federal and provincial governments, and the protection and advancement of Secwépemc rights and title.
Darrel’s work is grounded in Secwépemc Law, relationships, and the responsibility to strengthen collaboration between communities, Campfires, and governments to advance the collective interests of Secwépemc people.
Charlotte Rose
Lawyer / In-house Legal Counsel
Charlotte is proudly from both the Dakelh and Stó:lō Nations. On her maternal side, she is a proud member of both the Maiyoo Keyoh Whut’enun (customary homelands) and Nak’azdli Whut’en. Her father belongs to S'olh Temexw (Stó:lō territory) and is a member of Semá:th or also known as Sumas First Nation. Charlotte's upbringing in an environment that prioritized the protection of customary ancestral territory, known as a keyoh, instilled in her a strong commitment to upholding Indigenous / Dakelh laws within the western legal framework, even in the face of challenging consultative processes. This experience fuelled her passion for working with Indigenous Nations to advance their legal systems and principles, aligning with the overarching objectives of implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) via the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) in BC.
Charlotte has been a humbled First Nation guests within Secwepemcúl̓ecw for 15+ years and has had the honour of being welcomed into the Secwépemc Nation. She, like her colleagues, has had the privilege to Walk in Two-Worlds (Indigenous and Western) with her work, education, and livelihood where she has learnt from Secwépemc Knowledge Carriers, Elders and others within the Secwépemc Nation. In this journey, she has also obtained a Certificate in Aboriginal Studies, Associate of Arts degree, Bachelor of Arts degree, and a Juris Doctor degree.
Charlotte began her journey with the QS Office as one of four in the inaugural 2019 cohort of QS interns. Guided by her Ancestors and with the unwavering support / vision of the QS, she completed her articles and was called to the BC Bar in 2021, where she humbly holds the position of QS In-House Legal Counsel to lend her support in advancing the rights and interests of the QS Signatories and their respective Campfires.
Rayell Sellars
Administrative Manager
Rayell is a proud Two-Spirit Secwépemc-Tŝilhqot’in woman from Esk’etemc, Tl’etinqox, and Xatśūll. She brings a deep respect for community strength, reciprocity, and connection into working alongside Indigenous communities to support sustainable growth.
With over five years of experience in operations, administration, and finance within Indigenous governance settings, Rayell has supported executive leadership, governance processes, and financial reporting.
Her work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to feel valued, cared for, and respected. Guided by transparency, accessibility, and integrity, Rayell prioritizes listening and understanding each organization’s unique needs. Through thoughtful collaboration, she builds meaningful partnerships that honors Indigenous voices, aligns with community goals, and supports lasting impact.
Rayell believes that strong administrative alignment is integral to advancing Indigenous inherent rights. She brings a strong skillset to QS, contributing meaningfully to the impactful work already underway.
Tenessa Gagnon
Office Assistant
Tenessa is a nêhiyawiskwêw (Cree woman) from Onion Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory, with roots that span the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Born in Prince George, she has been a humble guest on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory for over 20 years, following the path of her Kokum and mother.
As a past intern with Qwelmínte Secwépemc, Tenessa brings a unique blend of cultural insight, creativity, and environmental awareness to her work. In her spare time, she is a sculpture artist specializing in mixed media. Her art is deeply inspired by her concern for environmental welfare, incorporating natural elements like animal remains, insects, and plant matter. For Tenessa, the process of collection is as meaningful as the final piece—immersing herself in the worldview of her subjects to understand their existence before death. Through her work and research, she explores complex themes of colonization, spiritual recognition, morality, and the interconnectedness of life and death.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Tenessa enjoys tending to her garden, collecting and documenting plants, and hunting for new houseplants to add to her collection. She is excited to continue expanding her knowledge, working alongside Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, and supporting the surrounding signatories in meaningful ways.
Drew Rose
Knowledge Builders Program (KBP) Manager
Drew is a proud Nehiyaw (Cree) from Mikisiwachíhk (Eagle Hills, Red Pheasant Cree Nation) of the Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatchewan and it is his Indigeneity that helps shape his approach in engaging and inspiring Indigenous students, where they can relate to, and feel supported and valued in their everyday lives.
He, and his family are humble First Nation guests on Secwepemcúl̓ecw and have had the honour of being welcomed into the Secwépemc Nation. Drew has also had the privilege to Walk in Two-Worlds, Indigenous and Western, with his work, education, and livelihood where he has learnt from Secwépemc Knowledge Carriers, Elders and others within the Secwépemc Nation, but has also obtained a Certificate of Aboriginal Studies, Associate of Arts Degree, Bachelor of Education degree, and completed his Masters of Education at Thompson Rivers University.
As a result of the Knowledge Builders Program (KBP), he has remained steadfast in upholding the value of Walking on Two-Legs when it comes to knowledge transfer, capacity building, and supporting Secwépemc / Indigenous Knowledges in our everyday lives. It is through his Indigenous teachings and pursuit of post-secondary education that he feels an inherent need, like his Ancestors, to advocate for the youth and contribute to creating a space that upholds Indigenous rights and access to education.
Jessica Nelson
Intern Program Coordinator
Jessica is a proud Syilx woman from the Upper Nicola Syilx Band, and she holds her stəmtimaʔ (maternal grandmother) teachings close to her heart as she walks through this world. She was born and raised within Secwepemcúl’ecw and is humbled to learn and grow within the lands of the Secwépemc people. After completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in English at Dalhousie University, Jessica went on to complete her Bachelor of Education at Thompson Rivers University in the spring of 2023.
Her journey with the Knowledge Builders Program began in the Summer of 2022 when she began her first year as an Intern. She has now transitioned into the KBP Intern Program Coordinator role and is grateful to continue learning from the reciprocal generational exchange of knowledge. Jessica is honoured to be a part of the QS Office team and is committed to Walking on Two-Legs with youth. Her passions include language, education, and uplifting Indigenous youth to be the next generation yecwemínem, or stewards and caretakers of the land.