Programs Overview L.I.F.E. Sessions Addictions Recovery Support Education for Schools & Educators Interdependent Living Employment

Board of Directors

Betty (Taaffe) Barlow, Social Worker

Helen Cunningham, Early Childhood Educator

Jonathan Down, Paediatrician

Debra Evensen, Master Educator

Larry Fletcher, Psychologist

Marcel Gagnon, Addictions Counsellor

 

Our Elders

Harold & Georgina Amos

Whitecrow Village is blessed to have the support of two very passionate individuals whose mentorship and guidance embraces many cultures and diverse viewpoints.  Our elders offer us leadership, encouragement, reflection, emotional & spiritual guidance, nurturing, and grounding.  Harold and Georgina first visited Whitecrow Village in the summer of 2005 as participants in our L.I.F.E. Sessions, and were immediately adopted into our family.  A ceremonial acknowledgment of their role as Whitecrow Village elders took place in October of 2007.

 

 

 

 

Kee Warner

Executive Director

 

Kee is the founder and Executive Director of Whitecrow Village FASD Society, and has been involved with FASD initiatives in Canada and internationally for over 20 years.  As a leading FASD Consultant and as the parent of 5 sons who are affected by FASD, Kee has first hand knowledge of successful prevention and intervention practices regarding FASD across many social and professional domains.  Kee has provided consultation and mentorship for social service, health care, education, and legal professionals; and has worked to bring understanding and practical supports regarding FASD to First Nations’ and other community groups including the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, the Vancouver Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society, and Carrier Sekani Family Services.  She is a past chair of the Canadian Federation for Invisible Disabilities, has been involved with the BC Provincial FAS Consultation Team from its inception, and served as an FASD consultant and facilitator in initial program development for the BC Ministry of Education FASD initiative (POPFASD).

Kee is a sought after presenter and lecturer within the FASD community.  She is the author of various articles on successful interventions for FASD, an Ashoka Associate, and is the recipient of many honours and awards for her work with individuals and families who are affected by FASD.  In 2006, Kee received the Victoria FASD Community Circle & Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s Honour Blanket Award for her “work improving the lives of people with FASD.”   Kee is actively involved with the annual University of British Columbia Inter-professional Continuing Education FASD conference planning committee and currently acts as a program consultant, contributor, and clinical supervisor for the BC Ministry of Health Structured For Success Program (hosted by BC Northern Health Authority).

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer-Leigh Gould (on leave)

Director of Education

Jennifer-Leigh has been a part of the Whitecrow Village team since 2006.  Prior to becoming an educator, Jennifer-Leigh worked as a mentor for “at risk” children & youth through “The Nesting Project” (hosted by Winnipeg Child and Family Services); was an active volunteer involved with team administration, program design, and facilitation for the “Love Lives Here” project for homeless peoples in Winnipeg; and served as Protective Services & Investigations Officer for the Manitoba Provincial Government and Provincial Corrections.  Jennifer-Leigh has taught K-12 in mainstream, alternate, and special needs schools in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Canada.

Jennifer-Leigh served as a Canadian Cultural Ambassador for several years in Japan, and has been a frequent presenter and guest lecturer at national and international foreign educator conferences in Asia.  She has participated in curriculum design for Japanese and Canadian classrooms, and has authored and co-authored ESL curriculum for the Prefectural Ministry of Education in Miyagi Ken, Japan.

In her role with the Whitecrow Village team, Jennifer-Leigh is involved in all aspects of curriculum development, program administration, advocacy, training, and support.  She facilitates discussions regarding FASD with families, educators, and other professionals at Whitecrow Village core live-in FASD training programs (L.I.F.E. Sessions); mentors and teaches children and youth who have FASD; designs FASD educational workshops and presentations for educators and social service professionals; and frequently speaks to student teachers, teachers, and other education professionals in local school districts and internationally.  Most recently, Jennifer-Leigh has begun to liaise with universities and grade schools on Vancouver Island and throughout British Columbia to establish relationships that will serve as a platform for reaching a common understanding and language for FASD among education professionals.

Jennifer-Leigh is the recipient of several honours and awards for her scholarly work and community service including the Canadian Federation of University Women Award for academic excellence and the Dr. Gregory Heide Scholarship for her studies in Canadian First Nations' History.   She is currently pursuing graduate studies in Educational Psychology with an FASD focus. Jennifer-Leigh is the primary teaching consultant and educational advisor for Errington Unique Kids Organization (E.U.K.O.), a learning centre for children with behaviour disorders and neurodevelopmental disabilities.

 

 

 

 

Bruce Price

Addictions Recovery Support Programs

 

Bruce’s familiarity with addictions’ challenges and life-styles are both personal and professional.  Bruce has been actively involved in the 12 Step Program for 14 years, and has worked extensively in the field of addictions for more than 10 years.  His experience ranges from mentoring and facilitating programs in support recovery houses & half-way houses to working in Community Corrections.  Bruce has been involved with Whitecrow Village since 2005 – initially as a summer student at our Live-in FASD Education (L.I.F.E.) Sessions, and now as a full time Team Anchor and Director for Whitecrow Village Addictions Recovery Support Programs.  In his time with Whitecrow Village, Bruce has been actively involved with Community & Family Stability initiatives; has mentored children, youth, and adults with FASD; has presented at conferences; has co-facilitated FASD trainings and workshops; has been involved with various program designs and implementation; and has organised, co-designed, and facilitated unique addictions recovery support programs that address the specific concerns and needs of peoples who are affected by FASD.  Bruce’s current focuses include liaising between individuals and local resources to provide and to ensure ongoing community addictions recovery support within the FASD community. 

Bruce received his counselling certificate from Vancouver Community College in 1995; and holds certification in Grief & Loss, Introductory Mental Health, and Suicide Intervention.  In 2006, Bruce achieved his Social Services Pre-BSW Diploma at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC.  He plans to complete his BSW in future.

 

 

  

Ken Kissinger

Aboriginal Education Assistant

Addictions Recovery Support Programs

FASD Training Facilitator (L.I.F.E. Sessions)

 

Ken has been involved with Whitecrow Village since 2004.  As an adult living with FASD, Ken provides a unique understanding and mentorship for Whitecrow Village participants and others in the greater community (both those with and those without FASD).  Ken is a sought after motivational speaker and presenter on FASD and has honoured invitations to speak throughout BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and the United States. 

In his role as Whitecrow Village Team Leader, Ken has mentored children, youth, and adults with FASD; has co-facilitated child and youth day programs at Live-in FASD Education (L.I.F.E.) Sessions; has been an inspiring presenter and panellist at conferences, workshops, and FASD training seminars throughout BC; and has facilitated 12 step meetings.  Most recently, Ken has begun to co-facilitate the child, youth, and adult training programs at our L.I.F.E. Sessions, and has been involved in the design and delivery of programs under the Whitecrow Village Education and Addictions Recovery Support umbrella initiatives.

Ken is a recipient of many awards for community service including the annual FASD Community Circle Award for improving the lives of people with FASD.

Ken has achieved certification from Camosun College as a Community Support Worker (2006), and as a First Nations’ Family Support Worker (2005).  He currently acts as an Aboriginal Education Assistant in Victoria, BC.