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.
Executive Director coming soon…
We are currently accepting applications for the Executive Director position at the QS office! See the job posting with more details here.
Hunter Lampreau
Interim Co-Director of Forestry and Stewardship Negotiations
Hunter Lampreau is a member of the Secwépemc Nation, Neskonlith on his mother's side, Simpcwemc on his Fathers. He was given the Secwépemc name of Peyecw7, which means ‘provider for his own’ at birth by his kye7e, Mary Thomas Sr. Growing up immersed in cultural activities on the land, he developed a connection, and admiration for the resources Secwépemc culture relies on for its continuity. Recognizing the trends of decline in wildlife, habitat and cultural resources, he elected to pursue a career in environmental policy, grounded in the teachings of the Skú7pecen Telling, and the necessity for the new era of environmental policy to recognize and enable governments to Walk on Two-Legs. Hunter strongly believes the paradigm shift required to establish effective environmental stewardship policies is intertwined with the need for systemic transformation that builds bridges between cultures, and allows for Secwépemc principles, laws, and jurisdiction to be recognized and respected. Outside of the office, Hunter can be found pursuing his passion for mule deer, cooking, and quality time with loved ones.
Tamara Archie
Operations Manager and Interim Co-Director of External / Internal Communications
Tamara Archie is Secwépemc from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (SXFN). Raised in community, Tamara developed land knowledge and cultural practices from parents, family, and Elders. Tamara’s core values are respect, trust, integrity, accountability, communication, and emotional intelligence. These values and beliefs have led Tamara on numerous paths. Tamara lived off reserve for a time before returning to her community as the Treaty Manager, overseeing research, community engagement, and communications. Tamara also gained leadership skills through her 4-year term on Council for SXFN, where she held the portfolios for Fisheries & Natural Resources, Social Development, Housing and Treaty Negotiations. Tamara is passionate about learning Secwepemctsín and continues to practice and promote Secwépemc Culture. Outside of the office, Tamara always enjoys spending time with her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, and continues to explore ways to improve herself in all areas of life, work, and play.
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.
Jessica Nelson
KBP 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.
Drew Rose
Knowledge Builders Program (KBP) Coordinator
Drew Rose is a proud Nehiyaw (Cree) and Cree-Métis from 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.
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 is currently in the Master of Education program at Thompson Rivers University.
As a result of the Knowledge Builders Program (KBP), where Drew himself started as a 2020 KBP intern, then moving to a KBP Guardian’s Coordinator to now the KBP Coordinator, 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 ways of knowing and being 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 that Walks on Two-Legs.
Kate Wale
Knowledge Builders Project Coordinator
Kate Wale is a member of Gitxsan First Nation from Gitanmaax, near the colonial community of Hazelton, BC, and was a humble guest on Secwepemcúl’ecw, specifically within Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, for most of her life.
After participating in the KBP Intern Program in the summer of 2020, Kate stayed on with the QS Office to continue working and learning with the amazing team and signatory communities. She completed her Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Communication and a Minor in Marketing at Thompson Rivers University in October 2020. At the QS Office now, Kate works on the internal / external communications team, working on professional development projects. She continues to support and work on various community engagement projects, while also supporting the coordination and growth of the KBP Intern Program. Being a part of QS Office has given Kate invaluable and irreplaceable experience, connections, and knowledge, which has allowed her to fully realize her desire to continue working with and for Indigenous communities in the future.
Anna Thomas
Communications Specialist
Anna is a proud Cree & Nlaka’pamux woman. On her maternal side, she comes from the Phillips and Andrew family and is a member of Lytton First Nations. On her paternal side, Anna comes from the Thomas and Mason family, and her father was a member of Peguis First Nations. Born in Stó:lō territory and raised in Tk’emlùps te Secwépemc, Anna is a humbled guest in Secwepemcúl’ecw and takes great pride in working for the Secwépemc people. She is married to Morgan Christopher of Canim Lake Band; together they have two sons, Autumn (24) and Seth (18) and are caregivers to Aubrey (12) and Carter (8). Anna attained her Bachelor of Arts with a joint major in Anthropology and Sociology and minor in First Nations Studies, as well as a Certificate in Secwépemc Language Proficiency at Simon Fraser University. Anna has gained extensive experience in various volunteer and leadership roles over the years. In November 2018, Anna was elected as both President of the BC Native Women’s Association and 2nd Vice President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. In 2020, Anna also ran as a candidate in the BC Provincial election, becoming the 1st Indigenous woman to ever run in the Kamloops South Thompson riding. Anna’s volunteer and work experience brought her to QS Office in 2019, where she continues to work as the Communications Specialist.
Selene Winterstar-Peters
Tímcw Assistant
Selene is Secwépemc from Skeetchestn on her fathers side and Anishinaabe from M’Chigeeng First Nation on her mothers side. Raised both in Ontario and British Columbia, Selene grew up immersed in her culture attending ceremony and learning her language. Selene started dancing in pow wows at the age of six, and continues to dance old-style jingle and traditional cloth, she loves to travel during the summer to attend different pow wows. She enjoys crafting in her spare time such as quilling, beading, and sewing. Selene studied Bachelor of Arts at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.