AHMA Board of Directors
We would like to introduce you to AHMA’s four newly elected and three re-elected directors.
Margaret Pfoh, President
“Self-governance is our inherent right as Aboriginal people.”
Re-elected as President of the AHMA Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on September 26, 2011, Margaret Pfoh is Tsimshian from the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation. She joined AHMA in 1998, and is the Executive Director of the Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society/To’o Housing Society. Margaret is also an International Program Committee member for the 2012 World Indigenous Housing Conference along with other Indigenous community and tribal leaders.
Margaret has spent over 16 years advocating and working for Aboriginal communities in the Fraser Valley and BC. Her primary interest is in holistic and integrated services that focus on breaking the cycle of need in our aboriginal population.
Margaret has a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Psychology.
Rudy Small, Vice President
“AHMA’s board and CEO are committed to a unified goal: achieving self-management of off-reserve Aboriginal housing. We are building strong, respectful working relationships, and will regularly review activities to ensure we achieve our mandate.”
Rudy Small is the newly elected Vice President on the Board after serving as Secretary Treasurer. Rudy is currently Director of Supportive Housing at Coast Mental Health Society and is a certified instructor in non-violent crisis intervention training. Rudy also consults as a civil and family mediator, and has been a therapeutic foster parent of several Aboriginal teenagers.
Previously, Rudy worked for the provincial government for over 30 years, holding management positions in mental health services and housing.
In 2002, he received the Leadership and Administration Award of Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing, from the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of B.C. And in 1998, the BC Housing Health Services Program co-designed by Rudy was recognized by the Clark Institute in Toronto as a best practice model in mental health and supported housing.
Rudy was born in Barbados and educated in Barbados and England, before immigrating to Canada in 1974.
Sandy Wong, Secretary Treasurer
“The commitment of the AHMA membership to change the governance structure impressed me. We have the opportunity to serve as a model for self-management and as an advocate for more housing and support services.”
Sandy Wong has been elected as Secretary Treasurer at the September Annual General Meeting this year and has served on the Board since 2008. He has worked in various capacities with Aboriginal communities in B.C. for more than 25 years.
Sandy has been General Manager of Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation since 2005, and brings a broad range of experience in accounting, finance, economic development, employment and training.
Dale Harry
“Housing issues can become housing opportunities. AHMA can build partnerships with First Nation and district councils to help all Aboriginal people access affordable housing.”
New board member Dale Harry believes in building bridges of understanding and opportunity for First Nations youth and generations to come, and of honouring and respecting elders and past generations.
As part of his commitment, Dale has participated in economic, cultural, youth development, government relations, educational and community initiatives for the Squamish Nation, often as a negotiator. Just a few examples include the Squamish Valley Education, Recreation, Family and Child Services and Elders Advisory Group; the First Nations Parents Advisory Council; the Joint Opportunities Group for the Squamish Nation Lilwat Cultural Center; the Guardianship/Ambassador Program for youth; the Squamish Lillooet Regional District Smart Growth Strategy Plan; the Sea to Sky Highway Development project; and the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement plan for School District #48.
Barbara Ward-Burkitt
Recently elected onto AHMA’s Board of Directors, Barb is of Cree ancestry from the Fort McKay First Nation in Northern Alberta. As the Executive Director for Prince George Native Friendship Centre, Canada’s largest Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Barb has provided leadership in a manner that is motivating and inspiring not only to staff but to grassroots community members.
Believing, very strongly, in life-long learning and education, Barb feels that we all learn while we are experiencing life, and that the balance of experiential, academic, traditional and cultural learning will revitalize our inner spirit.
Barb received the Order of British Columbia on October 20, 2010.
David Seymour
“AHMA if it is going to be successful it must see the view the whole aboriginal housing sector as one working together.”
David Seymour, or Seymour as he prefers to be called, is a Mohawk from Akwesasne. He holds a Bachelors degree in both Economics and Law, from the University of Victoria. He was a founding director of the B.C. Aboriginal Housing Management Association in 1997 and has been a director for all but three years returning to that position this year.
Seymour is heavily involved with volunteering in Aboriginal affairs at the local, provincial and national levels. He is Vice President of the M’akola Group of Societies in Victoria, President of the National Aboriginal Housing Association and past Aboriginal Director with the Canadian and Housing Renewal Association for 12 year. As well, Seymour works for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada on the front lines as a Funding Services Officer. With his current portfolio he works with the Tsimshian First Nations and the Haida Nation doing community development.
Margaret Pfoh, Rudy Small, Dale Harry, Barbara Ward-Burkitt, and David Seymour portraits by Fabrice Grover Photography