Chief and Council Profiles

'Uy' skweyul. "Een'thu Yu Kwiliye'. My name is Terri Allen.

Family Introduction

Terri Nadine Allen tthu [s]hwunituma’lh nu sne,  kwthunu sna’nuts’a sum’el – James J Allen tu’ni ‘utl Duwamish Territory. lhhwelu kwthunu me’mun’u Namulwut (Sonja); Lhulhsqeenum (Kevin); Nuwamulaat (Britney);  te’tsselu kwthunu ‘um’imuth Yukwiltun (Ethan), Abigail; Walter; Tsunaliye’ (Kaylee-Mae),  Lexi, Alex and Joseph.

Tthu nu shhwuw’weli – thu nu t-en, nuwamulwut, kwthunu menulh Benedict (Ron) George. My parents: my mother is Caroline P Joe and thunu tslile’em Sulsameelth (Deb George), and my father was Tousilum (Benedict R. George) and kwthunu tslile’em yut’xwaam Harold L Joe.

Tensulh thunu t-en Senem’tunaat (Mary Tom) mensulh thunu t-en Nuomit (Chris Tom); tensulh kwthunu men tthut’simiye, mensulh kwthunu m-en qwia’hwult’hw. tsielh mustimuhw

Yey’sul’u’  tthu nu shu’shiyulh s-hwxthilumaat ‘i’ sunemtunaat, t’xumulu  tthu nu squle’uq nuomit ‘i’ suhiiltunaat ‘i’ qwi’ahwult-hw ‘i’ hwul’hwu’litsiye ‘i’sulqeenum ‘i’  lhomun. I have two older sisters and six younger siblings. ’I’ mukw’ tst ’uw’ ’i ’utl’ Quw’tsun  kwsutst ts’isum. And we all grew up in Quw’utsun.

 Education

- Currently 1^st year in Indigenous Linguistics and Language Masters Program for Language Revitalization

- Diploma in Practical Nursing with yearly Licensing with BCCNM for Licensed Practical Nurse in good standing

- Health Care Aid/Home Support Certificate

Work experience

I have  been working in health care since 2008 to present; health care aid then furthered education to become a LPN ; worked in various health care settings and most rewarding was being a Travel nurse during the pandemic. Experience in Hospice Care/comfort care.

Currently a facilitator as an Indigenous Trainer with BCIB, sharing 'History Matters' to the new workers of the New Cowichan District Hospital. 

Working towards Language Revitalization in our Community: Mentor-Apprentice Program with First Peoples Cultural Council; Travelled with Xe’xe Productions for theatre - plays that are performed all in Hul’q’umi’num.

Council Priorities

- Absorb all that there is to learn in this term as a new councillor

- Advocate for and listen to Sul-hween; smuneem ‘i’ mukw mustimuhw

- Education; Language Revitalization and Health and Wellness

Personal Interests

I enjoy being a sil’u to my ‘um’imuth.

Spend a lot of time listening and learning Hul’q’umi’num’, transcribing, reading and writing and composing songs. My goal is to be fluent in Hul’q’umi’num’.

I balance both worlds - modern and cultural. I enjoy travelling to winter gatherings, slahal, and at times listen to songs of the shaker faith. 

Bio to come.

Francine sits on the following committees and boards:  Youth Recreation, Health Advisory, Elder’s Tobacco Tax; Justice, Coordination Agreement Table - Child and Family Wellness Legislation, City of Duncan/North Cowichan/CVRD, Cowichan Bay Planning Committee, and the Khowutzun Development Board and Gravel Permit & Dike Company.

Francine completed her Business Administration Diploma, UVIC in 2005.

"I am truly honored to have a seat at Council and the Committee. I also am culturally and community involved, can assist and bring Cowichan Tribes toward it’s goals."

Tasha Brooks, a newly elected council member, serves on several key committees, including the KDC, Education, Finance & Audit, Chamber of Commerce, and Workforce & Development.

Granddaughter of the late Muriel Rice and late Danny Seymour, she is currently completing her Doctor of Business Administration. Brooks holds an MBA, an MSc in International Business, and a BBA. She is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Management at Royal Roads University, with prior roles as an Indigenous Education Navigator and Term Instructor in Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies at Vancouver Island University.

Brooks is dedicated to advancing strategic approaches in economic development, entrepreneurship, and education.

'Uy' skweyul, siiem nu siiyeyu, 'een thu Sulqwtentunaat. My name is Sulqtentunaaht, Jen Charlie.

My grandmother on my dad’s side was the late Margaret Rose Charlie of Qwamutsun. My great grandfather, the late Patrick Charlie of Qwamutsun, raised my dad. He himself was a strong and giving man to our people. My amazing grandparents on my mom’s side were the late Dominic Thomas of Penelakut and the late Julia Thomas, nee Joe, of Quw’utsun. 

My parents are John Wm Charlie and Barb Charlie nee Thomas. I have two boys Ayden and Thomas, plus a beautiful daughter-in-law, Denean. We also have two fierce loving pups: Amora and Ace. 

Growing up I watched and learned from my father in his political and job positions with Cowichan Tribes. I was raised to help our Quw’utsun Mustimuhw and to continue our practice of taking care of our Sul-hween. One of my earliest memories was food gathering, whether it be harvesting seafood on our waters and shores or hunting on our lands. Then with our bounty, we would go visit and share with our Sul-hween.

I have worked for more than 18 years in a variety management positions. When hiring for projects in any of my jobs, I always ensure that I hire Cowichan first! With the new election code rules, I had to decide to keep my job as Citizenship Manager or move to a new job if I was elected back into office.  I love representing my People and after 13 years at CT I decided to take on a new venture.

Most of my life, I have worked in the service of my people, including at the Iiyus Stluliqul School, Lelum’uy’lh Daycare, Queen of Angels School, Hul’q’umi’num Treaty Group, the Cultural and Conference Centre (QCCC), the Education Department, Tsewultun Health Centre, Administration Department, Social Development, and Citizenship. I was also the Office Manager for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Cowichan. I opened the new Home Depot store as a Department Manager in four different departments- hardware, flooring, woodwork and paint. 

I have strong familiarity with many of the Cowichan Tribes department policies, different aspects of the Indian Act, and federal and provincial legislation that affects us as First Nations people.  If there is something I don’t know, then I find out and I learn it.  Sharing information is free! I have always ensured that our people on reserve and off reserve are kept informed of many events that cross my desk or timeline. Information is so valuable. 

I graduated from Cowichan Secondary and attended university to study Psychology, Conflict Resolution, and Accounting. I am currently completing my Indigenous MBA at Simon Fraser University. 

In 2017, I successfully received a kidney transplant. It has been quite the battle, but I’m happy to be healthy. When I see others going through the challenges of kidney failure, I assist in finding resources. I pass along my experiences because there were no Indigenous advocates when I was going through dialysis and the transplant process. 

I can say with confidence that I am not afraid to advocate for my people. I always speak up for what is right and what is fair. The ones that know me have seen my advocacy. But for ones that do not know me, I am always willing to meet to talk whether it be in person, phone or online. 

My council priorities are to ensure that Quw'utsun Mustiumuhw regain trust in the elected leadership again. This work involves ensuring that clear communication between the Council table and community is upheld. I am never afraid to speak up on issues, especially when it involves matters that will directly affect our Nation.

My personal interests include: going to the movies with my family; getting out on the water to fish; and running my small business.