Our Team

Lori Bull
Executive Director
Campbell River
250-914-2212

Lori Bull, M.S.W., R.S.W. – Executive Director
I am a member of the ‘Namgis First Nation with ancestral ties to the Lawit’sis nation through my father and my grandfather as well as the Dzawada’enuxw and Kwikwasutinux nations through my biological mother. My cultural lineages also include Irish and Jewish through my mother and Swedish through my biological father.

I was born in Vancouver in 1971, and shortly after my birth I was placed into foster care where I remained until I was adopted when I was 4 years old and moved to Alert Bay. In my early adolescence my family moved to Vancouver where I lived until I was 27. Since then I have lived & worked in many places. I am currently living in Campbell River with my husband.

I graduated from the University of Victoria in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, specializing in First Nations Child Welfare. Through my personal and professional experience I have truly come to understand the devastating impact that colonial child welfare policies and practice have on Indigenous children, families and communities across Canada.

My approach to practice centres on the inherent Indigenous knowledge that lies within our own families and communities; I recognize that knowledge and wisdom comes to us from our ancestors, our Elders, our knowledge keepers and most of all from our littlest teachers, our children. It is our responsibility to listen, learn and preserve Indigenous knowledge systems, particularly as it relates to keeping our children safe and families together in preserving future generations.

I have been with Sasamans Society since December 2012 assisting many families in the Campbell River area in the role of Aboriginal Outreach Family Navigator. In June 2018, I graduated from the Masters of Social Work Indigenous Specialization program at the University of Victoria. I am grateful for new beginnings and I am honoured to embark on this exciting new journey as the Executive Director of Sasamans Society.

Indigenous Youth Navigator
Campbell River
250-914-2212
Cell: 250-202-7229

Monica Glendale

Monica was born and raised in Campbell River. She has family connections in the Kitasoo, Lax Kw’alaams, and Squamish Nations. Growing up and being a permanent ward of the ministry came with its own challenges. She has fought to keep the teachings of her elders alive. She is honoured to be a mother and will continue to carry on traditions as much as possible.

Monica married into the Glendale family of Da’naxda’xw Nation in 2019. With her husband, they are so very grateful to love, guide, and walk beside 5 remarkable daughters and 1 granddaughter.

Her desire and passion for supporting younger folks that come from difficult family background came clear during college. Monica graduated with her Community Support Worker Diploma in 2016.

Gaining connections at John Howard Society and the creation of Foundry, Monica has had the opportunity to go to various trainings to expand her knowledge to move further into her career of choice. Monica’s passion largely comes from the lessons she has learned growing up in care and aging out. Youth need someone they can connect with that’s not a social worker. Not everyone has an older sibling, aunt or uncle they can go to for support.

Outside of work she loves puzzles, art, going on adventures, being a mom, cheese, and purple. You will find Monica quite quiet but she strongly believes that living life through healthy, open, productive communication is one of the most important aspects of life. Live your life through being kind and compassionate.

She is a wealth of information and has many many networks in the community. Monica loves this journey of working with indigenous people and continue making connections in her home town. She is very excitedly walking this path while building a supportive network for the young people within and around our home.

Cultural Connections Worker
Main Office:
250-914-2212 ext. 105
Cell: 250-203-9971

Rachel Cain, B.A., B.S.W.

Rachel was raised in Campbell River, British Columbia and graduated from Carihi Secondary School in 2005. She is a first generation Canadian whose parents emigrated from England and Hong Kong. Following her graduation from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, she relocated to Campbell River. Rachel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Social Work. Her interests in social welfare and at-risk populations were sparked when her family adopted her two special needs sisters. Since then she has worked with a diverse range of issues from mental health to disabilities, which has only made her more invested in helping others in whatever way is possible.

In 2013, Rachel completed a practicum with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Band in Kamloops where she worked with their First Nations Court and Restorative Justice Program.

Rachel joined the Sasamans Society team in 2013 where she has been able to continue working with Indigenous communities as our Cultural Connections Worker.

Nicole Kitts

Niki was born and raised in Campbell River and is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation. She has been married for 14 years and is a busy mother of two very active boys. Niki and her husband spent some time living in Delta, BC but soon moved back to the island to put down roots in the Comox Valley when their boys were born. They lived in the Comox Valley for six years before making Grande Prairie Alberta their home for the next seven. Niki and her family have recently moved back home to Campbell River where they built a home on the Quinsam Reserve. They are enjoying everything beautiful Vancouver Island has to offer especially being close to family and friends.

Niki started with Sasamans Society August 2015 and is enjoying being a part of their team, as well as learning about and assisting with organizations and programs available to help aboriginal children and families.

Indigenous Outreach Elder Navigator
Main Office:
250-914-2212 ext. 101
cell: 250-202-1971

Erin Wilson

Erin is an Alberta transplant who grew up on Treaty 7 Nation territory, in what was the small town of Okotoks. She now resides on the lands of the K’omoks First Nation in Courtenay. Erin’s biological ties are to Ireland through her mother’s lineage and Ireland and England through her father’s. Growing up, she spent time on family farms in both Quebec and Nova Scotia and spent most of her childhood in the forests and rivers of her hometown. Erin spent her adult years up until now tree planting around B.C and travelling to different parts of the world, interacting with people from cultures separate from her own. As a result, family connection to land and the impacts of resource industry on land and community is something familiar to her, as is the value in engaging with different ways of knowing. In 2012, Erin graduated from the University of Calgary with a BFA in Film Studies, a degree that was gained with a special interest in media portrayals of women and people existing outside dominant cultures.

The opportunity to work at Sasamans Society in the role of Youth Justice Worker is an honor. As a recent graduate from Vancouver Island University in the field of Criminology and with a certificate in Addictions Counselling, Erin looks forward to putting her education into practice. Working with communities to break cycles of criminality evolved from dominant social systems, and to support youth struggling through the impacts of colonialism and a lack of opportunity is a goal Erin is proud to see coming to fruition. To be an active participant in a world that is changing as a member of Sasamans is a privilege, and Erin will work to the best of her ability to live up to the role.

In her free time Erin works as a hobby potter, manages a small urban garden at her home in Courtenay and competes as a triathlete and a long-distance runner. She loves to swim, read, cook, walk her dog, Lou, and go paddling with her boyfriend.

Indigenous Youth Justice Support Worker
Main Office:
250-914-2212 ext. 101

Jordan’s Principle ARC Fund Administrator
Campbell River
250-914-2212
cell: 250-201-1105

Jacquie Henderson

My name is Jacquie Henderson. I grew up in Campbell River, BC and graduated from CARIHI a hundred years ago. After high school, I left town to go to the University of Calgary, where I got my Bachelor of Arts degree. From there, I spent the majority of my career in the high-pressure corporate world, leading teams of top-performing sales professionals, managing contracts and serving customers. After COVID, I moved back home to Campbell River in August, 2022 so that I could help to take care of my aging parents and spend some good quality time together with them. My professional life has changed pretty dramatically as well. I’m now part of the Jordan’s Principle Program at Sasamans, helping First Nations children access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. It’s extremely rewarding to be part of something so meaningful.

It feels so good to be back in Campbell River, with the smell of the ocean and the call of the seagulls welcoming me home. I know, with certainty, that this is where I am meant to be and where I can do my very best work.

Marisa Anthony

Marisa was born and raised in Ontario and earned her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2007. As a first generation Canadian of Caribbean and East African descent, Marisa grew up observing the impacts of colonialism on her own family’s culture and developed an interest in the healing of Indigenous people around the world. Her desire to work with First Nation communities was sparked after spending several months with a Cree family in northern Manitoba and witnessing first-hand the legacy of colonialism in Canada. Since then, she has spent years supporting clients in Youth Care and as a Family Support Worker in Alberta before relocating to Campbell River.

Marisa is the proud mother of an inquisitive daughter, who is of Nakoda Sioux ancestry through her father. Committed to nurturing both sides of her daughter’s cultural identity, Marisa spent time exploring programs for First Nations kids in Alberta and she is now excited to learn more about the cultures of Vancouver Island. She is honoured to join the Sasamans Society team as an Indigenous Parenting Support Worker, developing new relationships in the community while helping to build on client strengths and preserve family unity.

Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinator
Main Office:  250-914-2212
Cell: 250-201-8801

Mamalilikulla Designated Band Representative
Campbell River
250-914-2212
cell: 250-203-5696

Tasleem Mall

Tasleem was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa as a single child to two full-time working parents. As such, she spent many of her childhood hours in the company of her Grandparents and the elders in her family and community. After immigrating to Canada at the age of thirteen with her mom and brand-new baby brother, Tasleem embraced her new freedoms in this new country. She began learning to navigate the challenges associated with starting a new life in a country with fewer family connections and cultural resources than back home.

Much of her twenties were spent working in a range of occupations, from housekeeping to home renovation and construction; from delicatessens to self-employed contracting. During this time Tasleem met many people from diverse backgrounds who shared their life stories about their desire and need for connection and a feeling of community. Understanding adversity and diversity and the necessity of inclusion has come from her experience and of those she has met along the way. As such, Tasleem values the lived experiences of people and strives to honour each person’s truth and story.

Her work with women overcoming their addictions over the past three years have given Tasleem a unique perspective on the realities that many women face in healing their trauma and hopes that this role will allow her to communicate how hard women and families work to overcome these adversities and bring healing to their communities. She is looking forward to building a community around her work in the role of Mamalilikulla Designated Band Representative and in learning from the people who she will be engaging with.

Indigenous Outreach Family Navigator

Campbell River
Office: 250-914-2212

Jenni Peniuk

My name is Jenni Peniuk and I was born and raised in beautiful Campbell River, BC. I left Campbell River in 2018 to complete my Bachelors of Science with a Major in Psychology at the University of Victoria, returning in 2022. My work history includes working with at risk mothers and children escaping domestic violence, individuals escaping substance abuse dependencies and court ordered youth working towards making better life decisions. My passion and overall goal in life is to validate and be an advocate for those I am working with. I am constantly learning, evolving and growing alongside each person I assist and am humbled by the experiences it brings me. When I’m not working or studying, I am enjoying time with my beloved family, friends or reading a book or two.

I would like to recognize and acknowledge the unceded traditional territory of the Liǧʷiłdaxʷ people, the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, Kwiakah First Nations, and the traditional keepers of the land in which I reside. Throughout my university studies, I took courses pertaining to Indigenous Studies and Canadian Colonization, wanting to gain knowledge about the history of where I live and community in which I walk alongside. I am excited about my future with the Sasamans Society and am honored to be a part of such a positive and inclusive team.

Kayla Graydon

I am from Wei Wai Kum First Nation on my adoptive mother’s side and Snuneymuxw First Nation on my adoptive father’s side. I also have ties to Penelakut and Cowichan Tribes through my biological parents. I grew up in Port Alberni and have lived all over Vancouver Island, but recently relocated to Campbell River to be closer to family. I worked my way though university by serving and cooking in restaurants, until I eventually graduated from VIU in 2023 with my Bachelor of Social Work.

I have always had an interest in connections to land and culture and look forward to learning more each day. My goal is to build relationships with the Mamalilikulla community, and to provide ongoing resources, support, and connections. I plan to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and being into this work, and advocate for culturally safe and relevant resources for Indigenous children and youth.

Care and Connections Liaison
for the Mamalilikulla First Nation

Campbell River
Office: 250-914-2212
Cell: 250-201-3833

Fiona Hansed

Executive Assistant
Main office
250-914-2212

Debbie Cathey

Debbie was born and raised in Campbell River and is married with two grown children and two granddaughters. Debbie went back to college in 2019 and completed the Community Support Worker/Mental Health Worker certificate in 2020. Debbie enjoys spending time camping, fishing, reading, gardening, and walking her two Golden Retrievers Jasper and Walter.

Debbie joined the Sasaman’s team in June 2023 as the Indigenous Youth Navigator and is looking forward to working with the youth.

Indigenous Youth Navigator
Main Office: 250-914-2212
Cell: 250-201-4666

Reception
Campbell River
Main Office: 250-914-2212

Mary Henderson

Lavina Boyd

My name is Lavina Boyd. I have six children between the ages of 11-27, two boys and four girls, and one grand daughter who is 5 years old. We originate from very large families, are members of the Dene Indigenous group, in central British Columbia, and are registered with the Ulkatcho First Nations band, in Anahim Lake, BC. The Ulkatcho First Nation group is one of four groups that make up the Dakelh or Southern Carrier First Nation in central British Columbia. The other three communities are Lhoosk’us Dene, Nazko, and Lhtako Dene. My grand daughter is a member of Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and is part of the Interior-Salish Secwepemc speaking people located in Tk’emlups (Kamloops), BC.

I was born in Quesnel, British Columbia and raised in a small community west of Quesnel called Nazko. I enjoy beading, making moccasins, loom beading, hiking, travelling, camping, fishing, hunting, networking, resource harvesting, whale watching and I would love to learn how to can (especially fruit & salmon), rock climb, sing & drum local First Nations songs & learn my Carrier First Nations language!

I graduated from Thompsons Rivers University, located in Kamloops, in 2010 with a Bachelor of Education degree and plan to return to university until I obtain a Doctorate in Education. 

Through my life experience, education and professional journey I have a clear understanding of how the residential schools had a profound negative impact on our Indigenous populations across Canada and North America. My specialized interest through my education and profession is learning about, researching, and working with Indigenous parents and children across Canada.    

I am excited and grateful for an opportunity to be working with families in Campbell River and area at Sasamans Society, with a dual role position, as the Indigenous Parenting Support Worker and the Indigenous Caregiver Support Worker roles. I am looking forward to meeting families and working with parents and caregivers to offer support and knowledge with our most mysterious yet most fulfilling and rewarding roles as parents and caregivers.

Indigenous Parenting/Caregiver Support Worker
Main Office: 250-914-2212
Cell: 250-203-7417