2025 Elections: Councilor Spotlights

Hello Kitsumkalum, I have been nominated to run for councillor in the Kitsumkalum 2025 election.  

My name is Sagapgyoo – Anona-marie Budden (nee Osborne), Ganhada of Waap Niskiimas. 
I am married to my wonderful husband of almost 23 years Clint Budden, and we have two children (Morgyn and CJ) who have grown into successful adults. I accredit their successes in life with them having both sets of grandparents and huge families in their lives that help them see and feel supported. That is what a successful community does.  

My maternal side is Annabelle Osborne (nee Spalding), grandmother Elizabeth Spalding (nee Bolton) and great grandmother Rebecca Bolton (nee Anderson). My paternal was Thomas Osborne, adopted into Kitsumkalum by Sim oi Ghet Ha’uts of Waap Lagaax.  

I grew up in Kitsumkalum with whom I call my brothers and sisters running around and learning what it means to live in a strong community. We learned from previous generations what we want Kitsumkalum to continue to be and we know that we need to help the next generations feel and see what is possible in the future for their success. If elected I promise I will ask the questions that need to be asked and collaborate on finding answers to help our community continue to move forward successfully for everyone.  

‘Ap luk’wil t’oyaxsut’nüün. 

My name is Jessica Cooley. Daughter to Don and Joan Cooley and Granddaughter to Alex Bolton and the late Annette Bolton. I grew up in Kitsumkalum and feel blessed to have grown up in such a beautiful place, close to family while learning how to harvest our traditional foods.

In 2002, I started my career as a Naval Combat Information Operator in the Canadian Navyand spent most of my career stationed in Victoria, BC. After 20 years of service, I retired as a Chief Petty Officer Second Class and decided it was time to move back home to Kitsumkalum. I loved my career in the Navy, but I always knew that I would return and work for my community. I now live on Kwitnitsa Ave. with my son, Jaylen, and our new puppy, Duchess.

Since moving home, I took part in the Heavy Equipment Operator course and had the pleasure of working as a log loader operator for Kitsumkalum Logistics. I am on the last course of my Year II – General Arts and Science Diploma. Once it is completed, I will start my journey in Project Management.  

I believe in fair and honest leadership. I am passionate about education and truly believe in bringing up and empowering our youth as they are the future leaders of our community. I would love to see continuing social and economical growth for Kitsumkalum while maintaining the safety of our community, our resources, and the beautiful land we live on.  

My name is Richard Inkster, and I also wear the hereditary title Sm’ooyget Niskiimas, Waaps Niskiimas, Ganhada Giluts’aaw.

I have been a Kitsumkalum Band member since 1988. I have worked for Kitsumkalum since 1984 (Kitsumkalum Fisheries Program), and in the role of Public Works Operations and Maintenance Manager since 2001. I was put in charge of the Kitsumkalum Quarry Operation in 2001 and helped develop an operational and environmental plan to get an operational permit from Indian Affairs Canada.

In 2010 I graduated with a diploma from Thompson Rivers University with a Diploma in Water Treatment Technology.  I believe strongly that as a community, we need to continue to uphold, practice and preserve our cultural ways as Tsimshian as well as build and promote the social and economic well-being of our members. I support working towards unity among our Tsimshian tribes and communities and to support our Indigenous neighbours in good relations.

I am an advocate for clean and safe drinking water in First Nations communities in BC and Yukon and I am currently a committee member on First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water. Our community history from our recent past has shaped our present and we need to acknowledge who we are and where we are going, to give our future generations a wealthy life. We, the Kitsumkalum Band come from hard working people, and they liked making their own way in life.

My name is William Osborne. My parents are Tom & Annabelle Osborne (née Spalding). I come from Waaps Niiskimaas, Ganhada, and I am honored to be nominated to run for council.

I have lived in Kitsumkalum all my life—working, playing, and harvesting traditional foods on our lands. I have attended many Feasts and watched our community grow into what it is today. We have a strong foundation, but now it’s time to build on that and move forward together.

I’m a proud dad of three boys, and my work experience includes labor, management, and Public Works. I earned a diploma in Water & Wastewater Technology from Thompson Rivers University and hold multiple environmental certifications. Through my work, I’ve traveled to AFN gatherings and First Nations water conferences, gaining valuable knowledge I want to bring back to our community.

My priorities if elected:
Infrastructure & Housing – Ensuring projects are done right and expanding housing.

Food & Water Security – Supporting traditional foods, local farming, and safe water.

Economic Growth – Creating revenue opportunities to strengthen Kitsumkalum.

Stronger Leadership – Taking time to research and make informed decisions.

Community Engagement – Expanding the use of our hall for youth, elders, and events.

Kitsumkalum is strong, but we can be even stronger. I will listen, work hard, and build on the foundation of past generations. Let’s grow together. 

Hello, my name is Richard Parker-Wesley. Lissa Parker is my mother, and my late father’s name was Richard Wesley; he was part of the Waap Łagaax house here in Kitsumkalum.

I work as a Supervisor at Kitsumkalum Tempo Gas Bar serving customers and helping students at ‘Na Aksa Gyilak’yoo School. I help students get into photography and learn more about video making. I have been working with the school for some time, taking pictures of the students working on traditional arts.

I like to help out families by collecting and harvesting traditional foods. Every Spring, I have harvested seaweed. I love helping our elders get access to the traditional foods they have always relied on.

Kitsumkalum is my home. Growing up on Gyiik Road, I have watched this community grow and take shape into what it is today. I see our newly paved roads, brand new school, and I see a great path set for our future generations of children. The people of Kitsumkalum deserve to hold their heads high, have faith in our leaders who will take us in the right direction, always moving forward and progressing with everyone’s needs, interests in mind, and creating plans for them to achieve.

I greatly appreciate being nominated and if elected, I will do my best to help us move on the right path for everyone and I’ll be there to support the people when called upon, Thank you.

I am running for Council to support ongoing efforts to strengthen Kitsumkalum. I’m the youngest of the late Chief Don Roberts and my mother is Arlene Roberts. My dad’s passion, drive, and leadership shaped who I am and instilled in me the determination to serve our people.

With over 13 years in the grocery industry, I’ve worked up to Assistant Store Manager, gaining leadership and business experience in operations, budgeting, and strategic planning. I understand financial responsibility and the balance between economic growth and long-term benefits for our community. Effective leadership means listening, working as a team, and finding solutions that benefit everyone.

Growing up on a fishing boat, I learned the value of hard work early—I was nearly born on the ocean and quickly became the smallest deckhand around. My grandparents; Mildred, Don Sr., Vicky Roberts, Granny and Grandpa Morgan taught me to respect the teachings of those before us and that every role, no matter how small, is important.

Now living in Prince Rupert, closer to home, I’ve spent most of my life off-reserve and understand some challenges members can face—feeling both connected to and distant from home. I want to help ensure all members, on/off-reserve, continue to feel included and heard.

I respect the work of those who came before us and want to build on the strong foundations already in place. Our land defines who we are as a people, no matter how far from home we may be.

 T’oya̱xsut ‘nüün (thank you).

Ama sah!

Tracy Sam di wayuu, Gispudwada di pdegu, Kitsumkalum di wil watgu adat di wil dzogu. My name is Tracy Sam, I was born July 1982. My parents, Maurice and Carol Sam, took me home to Spokeshute Road where I grew up a part of the community.

 I’ve trained to be a teacher and practiced in Kitsumkalum and the public school district. I believe in building self-esteem and confidence. Now, I have been at home with my 5 kids for a few years. My husband, Adam Bremner, works at Walmart (you might see us there) and he is my biggest supporter.

 I served on the council for one term before and I want to be a part of that once more. In Kitsumkalum I have worked for different departments over the years. From Education to Treaty to Fisheries and as the CCP co-ordinator; and, like many others, my first job at Tempo. 

 I am a big supporter of the younger generations, and I will always encourage them to raise the bar and strive to be good people. I have learned to ask for help and know when to offer it if it is not asked for. I know how to create boundaries, and I can help others with that. I am a problem solver, and I like to see the big picture. I always include my kids in what I do. I love music, singing and dancing, I love to see others happy, I especially love the life I have built.

My name is Peggy Sowa, I belong to the Ganhada Ligiudziiws through my Grandmother Grace Dechambre (née Miller), Cecilia Annie Starr, Edith Starr and my great, great grandmother Hannah Wise.

I am a passionate caregiver/ community support worker dedicated to serving families, children, and youth in meaningful ways. Support work is my passion, and I truly love what I do. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing families’ personal experiences and offering my time, experience, empathy, and care to those going through difficult situations, many of which I have personally experienced.

In the past years I missed out on my Tsimshian heritage and now I wish to give back to our community by learning through listening, asking questions and attending band events to deepen my cultural understanding. I came to Terrace in August 2022 for my Grandmother Grace Dechambre’s (née Miller) stone-moving ceremony and I was overwhelmed by a feeling of belonging. The feeling was so powerful that I packed up my camper van, three cats and three dogs and moved “home”.  I encountered two black bears on the trip, one sitting peacefully eating berries and another walking toward Terrace—both of which felt were guiding my way.

My heart is in this work with a genuine desire to uplift those around me. I am committed to serving and strengthening our community and will listen, offer a helping hand and work to ensure transparency, accountability, honesty and integrity in all that I do.

A little bit about myself, I am a mother of 2 a grandmother to 2. With the support of my husband Jim, I have decided to run for council. 

I have been working with the Band on and off since 1992. We moved away for a time and our dream was to always move back to Kitsumkalum and I have been working for the Band since our return in 2013.

I hope to be one of your advocates at the Council table. I will put your interests first.  I am someone who shares your concerns. As a Candidate for Council, I understand the commitment that will be asked of me as your Council Member, and I am willing to meet the commitment.

Over the course of my career in Health (25+) years, I have worked with Health Canada, Indigenous Service Canada, Ministry of Health, and the Private sector. With this experience I feel I will represent you, the members, at the Council Table.

I have one item I would like us to move forward on and it is as follows:

1. Build 3 bus shelters for our children to protect them from the weather elements.

My name is Lisa Wesley (Ka-Nah-Tah) Gisbutwada from Wilp Daaxan. My paternal grandparents are the late Joseph and Winnifred Wesley. My parents are Ron Wesley and Sandra Wesley.

Living and growing up in Kitsumkalum I have so many fun memories. Every night there was a different program for the youth to participate. This is what inspired me to be a member of the Events Committee where we volunteer and fundraise for the youth and elders, I would like to see more community involvement in this area to bring the community together for fun events.

I was a member of the Kitsumkalum Land Code Committee that was voted and passed February 2020. I was also a committee member of Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP) and on the Kitsumkalum Hall Committee.

Communication is very important at all levels; all transactions result from communication and is essential to allow understanding of information. Kitsumkalum council meetings are open to Kitsumkalum members, I encourage members to attend and listen to know what is happening for the community.

Kitsumkalum has grown so much in all aspects. It’s great to see community members move back home with the building of new houses. Employment has grown as Kitsumkalum businesses grow.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve the community, I have been an elected councillor since 2009. Thank you to those who nominated me. I will continue to do the best of my ability and be there to support the community of Kitsumkalum.

T’oyaxsut ‘Nuun,

Lisa Wesley

Hello, my name is Cynthia Wunderlich (Nelson), I am Ganada with strong ancestral lineage in kitsumkalum and Kitselas.   

I have two diplomas as executive assistant in the medical and legal professions and sit on the Kitsumkalum land code committee as chair.  

I volunteer time helping stray animals and regularly send donations to the northern lights bear wildlife refuge, also supporting elders. 

I keep informed on municipal, provincial and federal politics to assure our ongoing processes aim to establish a respectful relationship based on recognition of Aboriginal Rights.  

I have strong ethical values and believe in fairness and equality. I would do my best to represent on and off reserve band members and am committed to work for Kitsumkalum membership and beyond. Accountability and transparency are the cornerstones of my values. 

I was part of issuing Kitsumkalum’s first economic permit as a Self-Government for the rock quarry and look forward to more economic development for Kitsumkalum while incorporating strict environmental safeguards to protect our territories and our ecosystems, anticipating more indigenous led conservation initiatives with a focus on sustainable practices. 

Free Prior and informed consent, cultural and traditional knowledge integration and capacity building are my first priorities when considering any future economic proposals. I believe Kitsumkalum members (shareholders) should be involved and informed every step of the way regarding our future growth.   

Thank you for your consideration as a candidate for Kitsumkalum Band Council. Respect to all that have put their names forward to represent our community.