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
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.
Shaya Hanemaayer
Executive Assistant
Shaya Fletcher Hanemaayer is a proud member of the Secwépemc Nation, originating from T’exelcemc (Williams Lake) and Llenllenéy’ten (High Bar). Shaya grew up learning on Secwépemc grounds from a young age and continued her education through university, prioritizing her language and culture. Shaya takes great pride in being an Indigenous woman and is grounded in traditional ways of knowing and being. She embraces her culture through community events with drumming, singing, and speaking her traditional language. Shaya is able to walk in two worlds; thriving in the colonial education system, while still being grounded in who she is as an Indigenous woman.
While attending Thompson Rivers University, Shaya was enrolled in Natural Resources with her main focus being held within the Two-Eyed approach between indigenous Stewards of the land and Western ways of Science. Shaya has always been passionate about the environment and the way Indigenous peoples have preserved and protected the land for future generations.
Outside of work, Shaya enjoys spending her time on the land hiking, camping, and exploring with her dog Oakley. Shaya is honoured to be part of the QS team, while supporting the surrounding signatories and preserving Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
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.
Jordan Setah
Finance Assistant
Weytkp xwexwéytep! Hello everyone! My name is Jordan Setah. I am Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) from Yunesit’in. I am an ʔinkwel (mom) to a beautiful seyats’i (daughter) and a handsome seyaz (son). Currently, I am studying at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) for my Bachelor of Business Administration. My short-term goals are to finish at TRU and continue to make meaningful connections.
Jordan started her Sku7p Journey as a Knowledge Builders Program Intern back in 2024. Her trail zigzags from intern to admin assistant to being an intern again and finally transitioning to a Finance Assistant. Qwelminte Secwepemc and the Knowledge Builders Program has supported her growth tremendously through land-based opportunities and learning Secwépemc Law through the Secwépemc Stseptékwll (Oral Tellings).
Jordan acknowledges that she has lived her life by ‘Walking on Two-Legs’ even when she did not know she was. Being a part of the Qwelminte Secwepemc team has brought perfect harmony and balance for her to acknowledge that she has and will continue to walk steadily on her Indigenous and Western legs. She will carry this knowledge forward into the work she does for QS team, Signatories, Secwepemc and Indigenous People.
Roarke Shmoowa Charlie
Communications Assistant
Hen̓ɬe kp Shmoowa n skʷest semeʔ eski Roarke Charlie, Nlaka’pamux kn tuɬ Stein Valley e ƛ̓ekwn. Hello everyone, my name is Shmoowa. My English name is Roarke Charlie. I am a proud Nlaka’pamux person from Stein Valley and Lytton First Nation. Shmoowa is a humble guest in Secwepemcúlecw and acknowledges the importance of tmicw to the Secwépemc, who have cared for these lands since time immemorial.
Shmoowa serves as the Communications Assistant with the Qwelmínte Secwépemc Office, where he supports communications that reflect and strengthen the collective voice and governance priorities of the QS Signatories. His work includes developing culturally grounded communications materials, documenting leadership and stewardship initiatives, and supporting storytelling that advances collective understanding of QS work across communities and partners.
Shmoowa began his journey with QS through the Knowledge Builders Program, where he supported the documentation of cultural and governance initiatives and deepened his understanding of Walking on Two-Legs. He continues to advance his education in Indigenous studies and language revitalization, contributing to communications that support Secwépemc stewardship, governance, and Nation-building.
Take care of the land and the land will take care of you
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.
Ashton Ashley
Yecwminulecw Cumulative Effects Technician
Ashton is Secwépemc from T'exelc, as well as Cherokee and Choctaw on his father's side. From an early age he grew up with a strong connection to the land, hunting or fishing, as well as smoking and canning with family. Growing up hearing Stseptékwlls from his Xpé7e and studying Secwepemcstín, Ashton has strong pride in upholding his cultural heritage while Walking on Two Legs.
Ashton is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Science at Thompson Rivers University, majoring in Biology. A passion for science along with recognizing the need to heal the land brought him to the Knowledge Builders Program in 2022 as an intern, assigned to Cumulative Effects. It was here that he applied his technical and analytical expertise to quantifying the cumulative impact of human activity on the natural landscape. Ashton has since transitioned into his role as the Yecwminulecw (Stewardship) Cumulative Effects Technician, where his work helps inform decision making on the transformation of environmental policy and management. He believes in the importance of holistic practice, as there is immense value in the inclusion of both Secwépemc and Western values to be great and good as one.