Robin Rattlesnake, President

Robin Rattlesnake joined the PAFNW board of Directors in 2021 and was elected as President in March 2023.  She is Anishnaabe from Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve in Manitoba and has lived on the west coast her whole life.  For over 20 years, Robin has worked for Canada Border Services Agency as a front line officer.  She is now the Regional Indigenous Affairs Advisor for the Pacific and Yukon region and works to assist CBSA and Indigenous people to address border crossing issues.  Prior to her career with CBSA, she worked for Provincial Corrections in BC.  Robin supports the philosophy that culture saves lives and values the organizations that provide cultural support to Indigenous people.  This is why she joined the Board of Directors at the PAFNW and is thankful to be able to help with this important work.  In her spare time, Robin likes to take dance classes, walk her dogs and try to keep plants alive. 

Cheryl Dics, Treasurer

Cheryl Dics, traditional name "Sigma Wolf", is from the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, and is a strong, Urban Indigenous Woman.  She has been a Police officer for 24 years and has a passion for working with people and meeting them where they are at. Her focus is on decolonizing organizations, and speaking publicly about culture, tradition, and systemic organizational changes that can happen. She is a mother of 2 beautiful girls who are Vuntut Gwitchin and Chehalis First Nation, and is currently bring her skills to the Metro Vancouver Transit Police. She is a life coach that supports recovery, executive coach, and supports people in achieving their greatness. Cheryl is here to share her experience, strength and hope, live on the Red Road in Serenity with her Higher Power the Creator. Mahsi Cho.

Christina J. Cook, B.A., LL.B, Director

Christina J. Cook is a First Nations woman; specifically, she is Status Indian and a proud member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. Christina is a lawyer and was called to the bar in 2010.  During her legal practice Ms. Cook has worked as in-house counsel for a large national insurer; private practice in both British Columbia and Manitoba; and most recently as a senior policy lawyer for the First Nations Justice Council. Her past experience is broad, including work in the areas of civil litigation, regulatory matters, and policy. She has appeared at all levels of Court in Manitoba and has appeared in the BC Supreme Court and BC Provincial Court.  Active in her community Christina has extensive board experience, community service and volunteer experience including Founder and Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum (CBABC), Current Bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia, Director of the Transit Police Board,  Past Chair of the Canadian Defence Lawyers D&I Committee.  She holds her Bachelor of Arts from University of Winnipeg and her Bachelor of Laws Degree from University of British Columbia.

Emely Baker, Secretary

Bio and photo to come

Leyenda Pettit, Youth Director

Bio and photo to come