Centering Collaboration

SUILC’s Lateral Governance Structure

SUILC operates on the principle of consensus and provides each member organization a vote on decisions required at our regularly convened meetings.

SUILC has a Terms of Reference, providing a clear governance structure for our coalition. SUILC is led by two co-chairs, elected  by member organizations. The co-chairs are responsible for chairing regular SUILC meetings and play a pivotal role in its public-facing duties. 

SUILC’s governance signifies a purposeful and thoughtful approach towards strengthening the Indigenous community’s presence within the City of Surrey. SUILC’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration is poised to drive positive change and foster meaningful partnerships in the municipality. 

 

SUILC Co-Chairs

Samantha Jack

SUILC Co-Chairs

Samantha Jack is an Indigenous woman from the Nuu Chah Nulth and Yale First Nations and grew up on the unceded Coast Salish territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Kwikwetlem, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Peoples. She has a background in political science from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Harvard University, where she briefly studied. Growing up in Surrey, Samantha wants to give back to her community and provide support for all urban Indigenous people living in the City of Surrey as co-chair of SUILC.

Dr. Lyn Daniels

SUILC Co-Chairs

Dr. Lyn Daniels (EdD) is the Director of Instruction, Aboriginal Learning within the City of Surrey. She is Cree and Metis and belongs to the Kawacatoose First Nation located in southern Saskatchewan. Lyn completed a Doctor of Education degree at UBC in Policy and Educational Leadership in 2016. Lyn’s research focused on Aboriginal college students’ memories of public education and how they compare to the memories of former Indian residential school students and educational policy in the colonial past and present.

Members

Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS)

ACCESS is a member organization that supports employment of Indigenous people in Surrey. https://www.accessfutures.com/ 

City of Surrey

The City of Surrey is the fastest growing municipality in Metro Vancouver, and supports SUILC with administrative responsibilities.  https://www.surrey.ca/about-surrey 

Seven Sacred Fires

Seven Sacred Fires provides a safe environment to Indigenous men who are addressing substance use and addiction.

First Nations Health Authority

FNHA is committed to “health through wellness” and supports Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia.  https://www.fnha.ca/ 

Fraser Health

Fraser Health delivers a wide range of health care services to people from Surrey all the way to Hope, British Columbia.  https://www.fraserhealth.ca/ 

Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA)

FRAFCA is a friendship center and is often the first point of contact for Indigenous people accessings supports and services in Surrey. https://frafca.org/ 

Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (Xyolhemeylh)

Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society works to ensure the safety and well-being of children by working with and supporting Indigenous families while respecting cultural diversity.  https://www.fvacfss.ca/ 

Indigenous Wellness Training Society

Indigenous Wellness and Training Society is a non-profit organization that offers recovery and counselling services for Indigenous peoples. https://www.iwtscanada.org/

Kekinow Native Housing Society

Kekinow Native Housing Society provides safe, healthy, and affordable housing for Indigenous people in the Lower Mainland.  https://kekinow.ca/ 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

KPU has expanded both the scope and the depth of its involvement with local and regional indigenous communities. We support and embrace the Calls to Action from the Truth and […]

Métis Family Services

Métis Family Services provides direct support and services to Métis families struggling with challenges related to the safety and wellbeing of their children. They  provide ongoing personal and culturally-based support […]

Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC)

MNBC represents thirty-nine (39) Métis Chartered Communities in British Columbia, and its mandate is to develop and enhance opportunities for Métis communities by implementing culturally relevant social and economic programs […]

Ministry of Children and Family Development Circle 5

Ministry of Children and Family Development Circle 5 operates in the City of Surrey offering supports and services to youth and families who are 15+. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/data-monitoring-quality-assurance/find-services-for-children-teens-families/sda-surrey-aboriginal-circle-5-whalley-blvd 

RCMP

The Surrey RCMP Diversity and Indigenous Peoples Unit mandate is to enhance Surrey Detachment’s ability to connect with the city’s diverse communities. https://surrey.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=2177&languageId=1&contentId=1022 

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

SFU is committed to providing a supportive academic and community environment for all Indigenous people.  https://www.sfu.ca/programs/for-indigenous-peoples.html 

Surrey School District

The Surrey School District Aboriginal Enhancement Education Agreement (AEEA​) guides our services. The AEEA outlines partners responsible for implementing the vision and goals. In addition to school and district supports, […]

Surrey Libraries

We connect Surrey residents with resources and services that help enrich their lives and also connect people to others with similar interests. Our commitment to connection means supporting efforts of […]

All Our Relations: Honouring the Host Nations

SUILC recognizes that we operate on the unceded, ancestral, traditional and current territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Kwikwetlem, Qayqayt, and Tsawwassen First Nations.