About the Board
The Board of Directors at AC/BC manages or supervises the management of, the activities and internal affairs of the Society. At minimum, the Board consists of three members.
One-third of the directors are elected every two years to ensure fresh ideas and the Society is steered by its membership.
The board is represented by Elders, Youth, language learners and teachers, artists, and other Knowledge Keepers.
To the extent possible, the Board will consist of a majority of Persons who are Anishinaabe. If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors, reach out to us at aaniin [@] nishbc.com.
Board of Director Bios
Monica Mabel Benson
Monica Mabel Benson (My’ingan dodem, Wolf clan) is an Anishinaabe Elder, knowledge keeper, and fluent speaker of Anishinaabemowin, born and raised in Wiikwemikoong First Nation, now living in North Vancouver. A survivor of Canada’s Indian Day School system, Monica is passionate about preserving and protecting the Anishinaabe language.
She graduated from Lakehead University’s Anishinaabemowin teacher program in 1996. Monica has taught hundreds of students – from preschool to adult learners – at Toronto’s Native Education Centre, Vancouver’s Native Education College, and the Pacific Association of First Nations Women.
James Darin Corbiere
James Darin Corbiere (Waabi Makoohns which loosely translates to mean “Little White Bear) is an Aanishinaabe artist​, writer, illustrator, and educator of the Bear Clan, originally from Wii-kwe-amikoong on Manitoulin Island, Ontario​, now living ​on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. James has taught Anishinaabemowin for over 10 years. His creative work honours the rich traditions of Eastern Woodland art, weaving together ancestral wisdom and contemporary expression through storytelling and vibrant imagery.
Fisher Lee Alexander Rogers
Fisher Lee Alexander Rogers (they/them) is Two-Spirit and a member of Aamjiwnaang First Nations, now attending the University of British Columbia, with a minor in (and passion for!) revitalizing First Nations and Endangered Languages. Throughout their time here in so-called Vancouver, Fisher has been working towards finding, growing and supporting the diasporic Anishinaabemowin-speaking community as well as learning more about their own language and culture along the way!