ABOUT US

Pacific Peoples' Partnership is Canada's only non-profit, non-governmental social justice organization, devoted to working in solidarity with peoples of the South Pacific to promote their aspirations for peace, justice, security and sustainable development.

Pacific Peoples' Partnership's current memberships, affiliations and accreditations include:

The Canadian Council for International Cooperation
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Consultative Status)
The Climate Action Network
One Percent for the Planet

Staff and Board of Directors

Glenn Raynor - Executive Director:
Glenn grew up on traditional Nuu-chah-nulth territory in the wilderness of Nootka Island off Vancouver Island's Pacific Coast. He holds a degree in Communications from McGill University along with courses in sustainable community development from l'Université de Montréal. Prior to joining Pacific Peoples’ Partnership in 2004 Glenn spent ten years managing diverse projects that combined youth empowerment, sustainable community development and environmental conservation. His experience in global education includes Canada World Youth projects in South East Asia, VSO UK's World Youth Millennium Award Programme in Tanzania, as well as the UNEP-sponsored Leadership Initiative for Earth LIFEboat Flotilla in British Columbia. Glenn also spent a couple of years working in eco-building in the Gulf and San Juan Islands.

These days Glenn also sits on the board of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation and Farmers Without Borders and occasionally escapes to the glaciers and peaks of Olympic National Park.

Susan Albion: financial officer.
In addition to her financial wizardry Susan brings a background in sociology and a passion for social justice to her work at PPP. When not assisting non-profit NGOs to make the most of limited resources Susan escapes for walks in the French countryside.

Stephanie Saleliye'naat Peter - Climate Justice Coordinator
My ancestral name is Saleliye'naat and I am a member of Cowichan Tribes, the largest Indian Band in British Columbia. In 2002-2003, I participated in Pacific Peoples' Partnership's Indigenous Peoples Abroad Programme, living and working for six months on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. My placement was with the Cook Islands National Environment Service where I was privileged to work in the Education and Outreach Department gasining insight into the environmental challenges faced by Cook Islanders. Upon my return from the South Pacific, I completed my undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria with a double major in Anthropology and Geography. Since then I have been working for the Cowichan Tribes Environment and Natural Resources Department and the Cowichan Tribes Treaty Department. In November 2005, I was selected as one of 100 youth delegates to participate in an International Youth Summit on Climate Change in Montreal where we developed a youth declaration that was presented at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, Montreal 2005 (COP11 and COP/MOP1).

Saleliye'naat heads up Pacific Peoples' Partnership's Shifting Tides: Climate Justice Initiative

Chandler McMurray-Ives- Cultural Events Co-ordinator
An avid fan of travel, Chandler has spent seven years in various countries around the world, soaking up as much culture as possible. She has worked and volunteered with a variety of projects, schools, and societies; building skills in teaching, communication, community building, and events co ordination. Most recently, Chandler spent 6 months in Guatemala, working at a school, orphanage, and womens shelter. She was involved as a caregiver and a teacher, as well as with the planning and establishment of a lending library, and the initiation of a self sufficient agriculture program that would both feed the kids, and create enough produce to sell.

It was at this time that Chandler realized she would need further education to better understand and contribute to communities, both near and far. She is currently a student at the University of Victoria, studying a variety of topics that interest her, including Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Science, and International Studies,

Chandler has also been involved in the arts from a young age, and over the past two years, has founded the Ambiguous Arts Society in Victoria, which is dedicated to showcasing local performers in a multitude of performing arts. She is extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with Pacific Peoples' Partnership, and could not imagine a more suitable place to combine all her loves and interests!

Board of Directors

James Boutilier - President Emeritus
Dr. Boutilier established the South Pacific People's Foundation, the forerunner of the Pacific People's Partnership, in the 1970s and served as the president of SPPF for many years. He is currently Special Advisor (Policy) at Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), the Canadian Navy formation on the West Coast. He received his PhD from the University of London (UK) in 1969 and taught at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, from 1969 to 1971 before taking up an appointment at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, British Columbia. He served on the staff of RRMC until 1995 as a professor of history and Dean of Arts. He was an adjunct professor of Pacific Studies at the University of Victoria during the same period. He was instrumental in the establishment of Royal Roads University.. He joined MARPAC in 1996 and travels widely on behalf of the Navy, primarily in Asia.

Michele Morfitt (President)
Michele is a graduate of UVic, an alumni of Pacific People's Partnership's Indigenous Peoples Abroad Programme. She is currently the Provincial Aboriginal Youth Council Coordinator- BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. After her IPAP experience Michele began an exploration of her Cree roots. She was appointed to fill a vacancy on the PPP Board of Directors in early 2006.Her first task was to ably and enthusiastically organise a major public event and highly successful fundraiser for PPP “Islands Between- Working in Common Cause with Pacific Islanders” a celebration of music, fashion and art by emerging artists in October 2006.

Janice Thompson (Treasurer)
An interest in cultures and her grandmother's Coast Salish heritage originally led Janice to a BA in Anthropology from UVic. There she developed a background knowledge and concern for the people and cultures of the Pacific Islands. She is currently a student of accounting, pursuing a designation as a CMA, and works as a financial analyst in budgeting and cost control for BC's Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. Janice is delighted with the opportunity to bring the passion she has for both her educational fields to the position of Treasurer of PPP.

Johnny Thiessen (Secretary)
Johnny is owner and founder of Ambient Source Energy Systems, a Victoria based company providing innovative renewable energy solutions to individuals and communities on the BC coast. In particular he has been working with the Nuu-Cha-Nulth First Nation to implement renewable energy systems. Johnny is also a founding member of the non-profit BC Sustainable Energy Organization and currently sits on their board, helping to build a strategic framework that will enable it to effectively meet its mandate. In addition he serves on their Policy Committee and is currently working to draft a policy document that will help guide Political as well as industry leaders on matters of renewable energy, and their integration. Johnny is a passionate sailor and currently lives off grid on his sailboat.

Kristi Aghassibake
Kristi brings a strong interest in social justice and indigenous issues, and a successful fundraising background. As a PPP volunteer, she helped develop program ideas, write grant proposals, and contributed to the Fair Trade Project which was completed in 2005. Kristi is a biomedical engineer and currently works for a local medical device development company.

Eugene Lee
Eugene was born in the city-state of Brunei, Northern Borneo. He is of Kadazan, Dusun, and Chinese ancestry, Eugene immigrated to Canada in 1988 with his family. Like many Canadians, David Suzuki and the Nature of Things influenced his interest in the Environmental movement. Torn between a career in music or Environmental studies, he pursued neither and went home to the island of Borneo. This trip was the catalyst to his decision to attend the School of Business at the University of Alberta. There he spent his formal training in the study of non-governmental organizations and Social Entrepreneurship. As chair of the Alberta Students’ Association for Social Entrepreneurship, he attended the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship in Oxford, England. There he heard inspiring stories of triumph and justice for peoples of the world and has decided to dedicate his energy to organizations such as the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership. Today when not earning his keep with the BC Public Service, Eugene works on musical soundscapes on his laptop or spend what little time he has daydreaming.

Elaine Monds
Elaine first joined Pacific People's Partnership’s board in 1989. She has served as Vice President, and is an important pillar of several Committees, including the Personnel and Tok Blong Pasifik committees. Elaine is the director of Alcheringa Gallery, a gallery specializing in Indigenous art from Papua New Guinea, Australia and the West Coast of Canada. She initiated PPP’s involvement with a primary health care project in Papua New Guinea and is a strong supporter of PPP’s work with indigenous peoples here in Canada and overseas.

Sonya Pighin
Sonya is a member of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation although she is actually of Wet'suwet'en ancestry mixed with Italian/French blood. She is currently a student at UVIC's Faculty of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. Sonya's main academic interests are in Restorative Justice, International, Human Rights & Criminal Law. Sonya worked and lived in New Zealand with the Pacific Islander's and Maori's of South Auckland. After that experience she came back to Canada with much hope for the growth and expansion of First Nations culture and has become a member of the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership with hopes of being part the progressive journey. During her own time, Sonya enjoys scuba diving, snowboarding, camping, travel, and outdoor recreational activities. She also enjoys supporting the local Victoria music scene as well as artists who promote world and individual peace in their lyrics.