FNSA Board of Directors, 2019-2020
Executive
Edith Loring-Kuhanga, President, Stein Valley Nlakapamux School, Secwepemc/St’at’imc/Nlaka’pamux Region P: 250-455-2522 email
Steve Bentley, Vice-President, Outma Sqilx’w Cultural School, Kootenay Okanagan Region P: 250-493-2421 email
Len Merriman, Treasurer, Penelakut Island Elementary School, Nuu-chah-nulth/Coast Salish Region P: 250-246-4041 email
Verna Stager, Secretary, Xit’olacw Community Band School, Secwepemc/St’at’imc/Nlaka’pamux Region P: 604-894-6131 email
Directors
Christine Jang, Kyah Wiget Adult Centre, Gitskan/Wet’suwet’en Region P: 250-847-2244 email
Clayton Grice, Tl’etinqox School, Tsilhqot’in/Carrier/Sekani Region P: 250-394-4293 email
Patsy Greyeyes, Blueberry River First Nations School, Kaska/Dene/Tahltan/Tagish/Inland Tlingit/Tsek’ene Region P: 250-630-2307 email
Rob Cahill, K’ak’ot’latsi School, Kwakwaka’wakw/Heiltsuk/Nuxalk/Oweekeno Region P: 250-949-9666 email
Roxanne Harris, Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh Community School, Nuu-chah-nuulth/Coast Salish Region P: 250-754-3033 email
Vacant, Tsimshian/Haida/Haisla/Nisga’a Region
Edith Loring-Kuhanga, Nox Gyes
FNSA President
FNSA President Edith Loring-Kuhanga, Nox Gyes, is from the Wolf Clan of the Gitxsan Nation, BC. She has a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Masters in Education Leadership. She has over 37 years of experience working in education, health, leadership and administration and has taught from pre-school to post-secondary.
Since September 2017, Edith has been the school administrator of Stein Valley Nlakapamux School, a community based independent school owned and operated by the Lytton First Nation. After having helped establish the school in 1997, she returned 20 years later to help transition the school into a twelve month calendar based on four cultural semesters.
She is the proud mother of two sons and also raised two nieces and two nephews. Raised in a large, humble family, Edith is a proud mother, auntie and grandmother, and she understands what it means to have and give unconditional love, be respectful, share and care for others.
Previously, Edith served as a School Trustee for 10 years (SD61 from 2011-2018 and SD63 from 2008-2011) and was Chair of the Greater Victoria School Board from 2014 to 2018. She was a strong advocate for fully funded public education, proper supports for students with special needs and those who were struggling with mental health issues. Having started her education in “Indian Control of Indian Education,” she is both humbled and honoured to serve First Nation schools.