Skookum Surrey is the engagement arm of the SUILC and is dedicated to collectively uplifting, empowering, and enacting positive change for Indigenous people in Surrey.
Our Skookum Surrey team recognizes the challenges Indigenous communities face, including historical injustices, systemic inequalities, and the targeted attack on our cultural traditions. However, we refuse to be defined by these challenges; instead, we are motivated by the strength that comes from Indigenous cultural teachings, multi-generational connections, and building a community of urban Indigenous people.
Our work engages a wide range of initiatives, from traditional crafting to addressing issues such as health and well-being, environmental stewardship, and removing barriers to a safe and equitable city. Skookum Surrey organizes community gatherings that empower Indigenous people and strengthen intergenerational relationships. Our team is resilient in advocating on behalf of urban Indigenous people. SUILC’s and Skookum Surrey’s unwavering commitment to all Indigenous people in Surrey and the diverse cultural background of our team serves as a testament to the enduring strength and power of Indigenous people everywhere.
Ravina Morgan
Skookum Surrey Team LeadRavina Morgan, whose Indigenous name is Âmow-piyêsîs Iskwew; ᐋᒧᐤ ᐱᔦᓰᐢ (Hummingbird Woman), belongs to Smiths Landing First Nation in the Northwest Territories. Ravina is of Tthebatthi Dënésułiné, Cree, Métis, Central and South Asian ancestry. She was born and raised on the unceded territories of the Semiahma (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), kwikwəәƛ ̓əәm (Kwikwetlem), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) and q̓ic̓əәy̓ (Katzie) First Nations. Ravina is also a proud mother who is raising her son in the same territories she was raised in.
Ravina is the Team Lead for Skookum Surrey. Ravina works with Indigenous people across the City of Surrey. She has been with the team since the beginning when Skookum Surrey was formerly Skookum Lab. In her position with Skookum Lab, Ravina worked on a three-year research project about reducing urban Indigenous child poverty in the City of Surrey. When the research project was over, Skookum Surrey was created to continue engaging Indigenous people in Surrey on matters that affect them. Ravina has been working in the Indigenous non-profit sector for ten years.
Catherine Garcia
Skookum Surrey Cultural ConnectionsCatherine Garcia is Shuswap and is from the Simpcw First Nation. Catherine has lived on the unceded territories of the Semiahma (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), kwikwəәƛ ̓əәm (Kwikwetlem), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) and q̓ic̓əәy̓ (Katzie) First Nations for over ten years. She is a proud mother of three wonderful children. Catherine is also a pow-wow dancer and has been doing pow-wow dance since she was a young girl.
In her role with Skookum Surrey, Catherine hosts monthly community gatherings for Indigenous people living in Surrey. Catherine was a Guide Group member with Skookum Lab, before it became Skookum Surrey, and is passionate about the ongoing work of Skookum Surrey to nurture Indigenous community connection in Surrey.
Marcia Mejia-Blanco
Skookum Surrey Post Secondary Events CoordinatorMarcia Mejia-Blanco is Indigenous to the Nahua-Pipil people in Central America, with family ties to the Nlaka’pamux people of Lytton First Nation. Marcia was raised on the unceded territories of the Semiahma (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), kwikwəәƛ ̓əәm (Kwikwetlem), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) and q̓ic̓əәy̓ (Katzie) First Nations where she is also raising her son.
Marcia joined Skookum Surrey after bringing her son to a community event that made a lasting impact on them. Marcia works as the Post Secondary Events Coordinator with Skookum Surrey. In her position, Marcia creates opportunities in partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Simon Fraser University for Indigenous students in Surrey. Her efforts create cultural connections among Indigenous students and Indigenous community members which facilitate community belonging and well-being.
Aspen Allison
Skookum Surrey Communications CoordinatorAspen Shima is Cree from White Bear First Nations in Treaty 4 territory. She lives on the unceded territories of the Semiahma (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), kwikwəәƛ ̓əәm (Kwikwetlem), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) and q̓ic̓əәy̓ (Katzie) First Nations. Before that, Aspen lived on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, səlilwətaɬ and Sto:lo territories. Aspen is an avid lacrosse fan and has extensive knowledge of the sport and the appreciation of well-being that comes from the medicine game.
As the Skookum Surrey Social Media Coordinator, Aspen uses her artistic and visual skills to capture Skookum Surrey events through photography. She also creates social media outputs for Skookum Surrey to communicate events to urban Indigenous people in the City of Surrey.
Becky Parker
Skookum Surrey Windspeak Youth CoordinatorBecky Parker is a proud Métis-Cree woman. She was born and raised on the unceded and traditional territories of the Semiahma (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), kwikwəәƛ ̓əәm (Kwikwetlem), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) and q̓ic̓əәy̓ (Katzie) First Nations. Becky’s family ties are traced back to the Red River, now known as Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Peguis First Nation (Treaty 1).
In her role as the Youth Coordinator with Skookum Surrey, Becky acts as a bridge between Skookum Surreyn and Surrey Schools. She works alongside the Aboriginal Transitions Teacher to deliver the Skookum Windspeaker program, further enriching the cultural tapestry of the urban Indigenous community.
Becky is an Indigenous Cultural Facilitator with the Surrey School District. In her role, she facilitates Indigenous education. Becky is passionate about education and creating nurturing environments for Indigenous young people to learn about their culture and identity. Her journey with Skookum Surrey is rooted in her own experiences of growing up without a strong cultural connection, driving her mission to help bridge the gap and strengthen cultural identities.
