The Indigenous Patient Liaisons Worker (IPLW) program provides a bridge between Indigenous communities, their culture and Northern Health care providers. The role of the IPLW is to help bridge the gap between western and traditional medicine to ensure a health system that honours diversity and provides services in a culturally relevant manner.
The Indigenous Patient Liaison Program staff work in collaboration with key partners such as on-site staff, managers, and the Patient Care Quality Office to develop, implement, and evaluate processes to address the concerns and experiences of Indigenous people within the health care system. You can find members of the team supporting:
- Patient and family feedback pathway navigation
- Addressing real-time concerns brought forward by patients and their families
- Working alongside staff to identify quality improvement opportunities
- Creating alternative conflict resolution processes such as talking circles
Connect with the Indigenous Patient Liaison staff in the following communities for help with
- Expressing health care needs and wants
- Understanding diagnosis and treatments
- Care and discharge planning assistance
- Patient travel assistance
Ron Charlie, Indigenous Care Coordinator
Ron is from the Tsil Kaz Koh Nation in Burns Lake. He services the six surrounding Indigenous Nations when it comes to accessing services at the local hospital.
“I want to make sure my role here at the hospital is to walk along with our indigenous patients and families to make sure you have a culturally safe experience by restoring respectful and equitable relationships within the health system.”
Email: Ron.Charlie@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-692-2474
Cell: 250-251-4107
Morgan Behn-Tsakoza, Indigenous Care Coordinator (on leave)
Email: Morgan.BehnTsakoza@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-261-7418
Cell: 250-263-2924
Fax: 250-261-7636
Vanessa Elliott, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Email: Vanessa.Elliott@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-793-4535
Fax: 250-261-7636
Sylvia Zettergreen, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Email: Sylvia.Zettergreen@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-793-4535
Fax: 250-261-7636
Angie Combs, Indigenous Patient Liaison
Email: Angie.Combs@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-842-4407
Silver Stevens, Indigenous Care Coordinator
Kelly Stalker, Indigenous Community Engagement Advisor
Kelly has been the Indigenous Community Engagement Advisor at Kitimat General Hospital for the last year and a half and is a dedicated advocate for culturally safe and respectful care for all First Nations, Metis and Inuit people who access care at KGH. Kelly was born and raised in Bowmanville, ON as a settler of Scottish/English descent on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Ojibwe peoples.
Kelly has lived in what is now called British Columbia much of her adult life and has worked and resided on several unceded territories across the province including Secwepemc, Silyx, Ktunaxa, Sinixt, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Musqueam territories and on Treaty 8 territory. She is grateful to be welcomed to the unceded territory of the Haisla Nation where she now lives, works, and thrives. When not at work, Kelly enjoys exploring the north and being with her kids, friends and her dogs.
Email: Kelly.Stalker@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-632-8391
Cell: 250-279-3848
Fax: 250-632-8681
Gloria Lattie, Indigenous Care Coordinator
Gloria is from Gitanmaax, BC, the Gitxsan Nation. Her Gitxsan traditional name is Hiss'Aaks. She is from Wilp's Nikateen of the Laxseel Pdeek. Some of her proudest achievements are graduating from University of Northern British Columbia; working with families and making a difference; living and practicing her matrilineal culture that has been passed down orally from her maternal grandfather and her mom, who had this legacy passed down to them from generation to generation.
“I love all cultures and I love meeting people. Hamiiya!”
Email: Gloria.Lattie@northernhealth.ca
Shelia Tremblay, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Sheila was born and raised in Prince George, BC. She is married to the love of her life, with a blended family of two teenage boys that are always keeping them on their toes! Family means everything to her, and her work is something she feels like a high power has put in her path for very specific reasons. She loves being able to comfort or assist to support and connect families in peace and in grieving times and to know that someone is there and truly cares is very important to her.
Email: Shelia.Tremblay@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-613-9737
Sway Screamingowl, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Email: Sway.Screamingowl@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-565-2364
Cell: 778-349-1348
Monica Chambers, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Monica is originally from Gitsegulkla, BC and is Gitxsan from Wilp (House) Tsimoots’een. Her Gitxsan name is Hlooxsim Axw which means Sun in the Dark. Monica has four adult children that are from Gitanmaax and two beautiful granddaughters.
“I completed my care aid program with Northern Health in 2022. Since completion I have had many roles from working in retirement homes to working in OR. My interest is to help to create a trauma-informed experience for my clients. I hope to bring them empowerment and ease in difficult situations.”
Email: Monica.Chambers@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-565-2364
Cell: 250-640-1358
Helen Buzas, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Helen is from the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation. She was born in the Prince George hospital and has lived in Prince George all her life. Helen is from the Frog Clan, though Lheidli T'enneh no longer practices the potlatch system as it was taken away years before she was born.
“I have 2 grown sons who I dearly admire, they are my world. It was my sons who I think got me to care for others, especially my fellow band members. I have empathy pain to a point that I can sense sadness and pain in someone’s body without knowledge. I have a father who is 86 and he’s in good health along with 2 sisters who are loving, strong and helped me through my journey. I will be forever grateful for them”
Email: Helen.Buzas@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-613-9737
Fax: 250-649-7501
Judy White, Indigenous Care Coordinator
Judy is from the Mikmaq/Haida Nations. She has worked for several years for Community Living and helping people with disabilities and in child welfare. Judy has a true passion for helping others and serving Indigenous people and her communities.
Email: Judy.White@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 778-884-0059
Fax: 250-622-6521
Trina Parnell, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Trina belongs to the Ts'aahl Laanas Clan from Old Massett, Haida Nation. Her traditional name is Guulee Xuhl. She has been fortunate to live in the Kxeen for the past 15 years. It has been her pleasure to make connections with the Ts’mysen and Nisga’a nations over the years.
Email: Trina.Parnell@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 778-884-0599
Renae Marks, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Renae is from the Haida Nation.
Email: Renae.Marks@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 778-884-0599
Vacant, Indigenous Care Coordinator
Phone: 250-985-5812
Cell: 250-983-8411
Kaila Bolstad, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Kaila was born in Whitehorse, Yukon and lived in various places throughout Alberta before settling in Saskatchewan where her family originates from. She moved to Quesnel 8 years ago and practiced esthetics for 6 years. Kaila is a member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation on Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatchewan.
“I have always been driven to help those in need and enjoy being out in the community. I have been in my role at GRB as Indigenous Health Service Assistant for 1 year and have really enjoyed assisting Indigenous patients on their health journey as well as learning about the communities in the area that I work closely with and their cultures.”
Email: Kaila.Bolstad@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-255-4593
Valerie Setah, Indigenous Health Service Assistant (casual)
Valerie Setah is Tsilhqot’ in and has been in her role since January of 2024.
“I am very grateful that I can be of assistance to those I work for. Sechanalyagh”
Email: Valerie.Setah@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-255-4593
Geddes Wells, Indigenous Care Coordinator
Geddes Wells is Tsimshian, born and raised in both Lax Kw’alaams and Terrace, BC. With a passion for health and wellness, he co-owned and operated Iron Goat CrossFit in Kimberly, BC, where he coached movement and nutrition. More recently, Geddes has expanded into executive and life coaching, with a focus on supporting Indigenous communities and individuals through empowerment. Drawing from his own love of sports and coaching, Geddes is committed to promoting well-being and cultural connection in his new role as Indigenous Care Coordinator.
Email: Geddes.Wells@northernhealth.ca
Cell: 250-876-8969
Ksyen Regional Hospital
Lloyd McDames, Indigenous Care Coordinator
Lloyd is Gispudwada (killerwhale clan) from Gitselasic (Kitselas) of the Tsimshian Nation. His Traditional name is Gwin Naxnuutkw, and his English name is Lloyd McDames.
“I have been inspired by aunts, uncles and other family members to always do the best I can to help others in need and to share what I can and to not judge others as we do not know their journey, story or challenges. Respect all people (Looda sila gyedn). I am hopeful that in some small way I am able to contribute to the education and awareness for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people the importance of cultural safety and cultural awareness and to be respectful at all times in our actions and words as we are all human and together, we can better understand one another to improve health care out-comes.
Gyilks aamaniisgn (take care of yourself), T’ooyax sut’nuun (thank you)”
Email: Lloyd.McDames@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-638-4085
Jeanette Mercer, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Email: Jeanette.Mercer@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-615-6372
Melissa Jackson, Indigenous Health Service Assistant
Melissa is from Gitxaala Nation (Kitkatla). She is from the Ganhaada (Raven) tribe. Melissa’s background is in healthcare, she worked for twelve years as a Personal Care Aide at Terrace View Lodge and prior to that she worked for five years in home and community care in Kitkatla.
“I have much love and respect for the elderly and I appreciated my line of work. I am happy to now be in this new job, for the past 3 years as one of the Indigenous Health Assistants for ER and ICU at Ksyen Regional Hospital. I am learning along the way and I am loving every minute of it. This is a completely new experience and every day there is something new to learn and absorb. I am completely grateful for this opportunity to be a part of this team and be someone our people can look to for assistance while in hospital care.”
Email: Melissa.Jackson@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-615-6372
Aboriginal Patient Liaison - Terrace/Kitimat and area [PDF - Lloyd]