Board of Directors

Hulitan Family & Community Services Society is governed by a group of unpaid volunteers called the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

All Board members assume responsibility for the Soceity's interests and objectives and must therefore appreciate the level of commitment and degree of responsibility required of them. They must act at all times in the best interests of the Society as a whole, so as to preserve its assets, further its interests, and promote the purposes for which it was formed.

The Board of Directors is made up of Aboriginal people who represent the Victoria community and who hold the holistic vision. This vision is to ensure families and youth have access to culturally appropiate programs and services regardless of financial ability.

Board Member Biographies

Amy Woodruffe

Hello! It is an honour to have the opportunity to serve on the Hulitan Board of Directors. I am a guest to Coast Salish territory, born as a first-generation Canadian in Ontario, with Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English and Jewish heritage. I currently work for the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres as a project manager and policy analyst in Aboriginal nonprofit workforce development, outcomes evaluation, and political civic engagement. Previous to policy work, I spent ten years as a frontline worker in both mainstream and Aboriginal communities, including residential day programs, youth detention, family reunification, and as a family therapist in inner-city Montreal. I volunteer as the co-chair of the Child and Youth Care Association of BC. My education is in Social Work and Child and Youth Care, as well as a Masters of Social Work from McGill University. I enjoy spending time with my partner and family, playing music, and being outdoors!

Kathleen King-Hunt  |  Ayalhinaca, Nuxalk Nation

I am honoured to currently reside and work on Coast Salish territory. My current role as District Principal, Aboriginal Programs, S. D. No. 62 has given me the opportunity to develop a genuine relationship with Scia'new, T'Sou-ke and Pacheedaht Nations, as well as numerous, Aboriginal organizations involved in education. Over the past two years, I have worked in collaboration with Aboriginal communities to promote literacy, meaningful and trusting community connection, and raise the profile of the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement goals. In my spare time, I am pleased to share I have learned the basics of Coast Salish knitting and attend T'Sou-ke Arts Group, TAG, weekly. I have recently been nominated for civic leadership and healthy communities for Westshore Chamber of Commerce, Westshore Community Awards, 2011.

Marvin Underwood

I am a member of the Tsawout Nation.  I have been involved in the Social Development Program for the past thirty years.

Carl Mason

Carl Mashon is of Cree ancestry from the Saddle Lake First Nation in north eastern Alberta.  He has three grown children and has been a grateful to live and work on the Coast Salish territory of southern Vancouver Island for over 10 years.  Carl is employed as the General Manager of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and also serves as the Treasurer for the Victoria Native Friendship Centre and the Makola Group of Societies.  He has a strong work history in technology, serving as an engineer for 10 years in oil and gas exploration and 3 years as  an IT Systems Manager with the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council.  He is a very active volunteer in the Aboriginal community and enjoys travel, sailing, cycling, hiking and running.

Kolette Cristante

Kolette has been a Director with Hulitan for many years and she currently works for School District #61 as a teacher.

Monique Gray-Smith

Monique Gray-Smith is a mixed heritage woman of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish descent. She comes from the Cardinal Family at Peepeekisis First Nation and is the proud Mom of eight year old twins. Monique has been sober and involved in her healing journey for over 20 years. Her formal training is as a Psychiatric Nurse and her work experience has been in the areas of Aboriginal Education, Stress and Trauma Recovery, Staff Development and Wellness, Strategic Planning and Addictions. Monique's strong understanding of the Early Years has lead her to work as the previous Executive Director for Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC and National Aboriginal Advisor for Roots of Empathy and Seeds of Empathy; as well as an instructor for the Justice Institute of BC. She has had the privilege of doing contract work, facilitating workshops and keynote addresses across BC, Nationally and Internationally, with a focus on fostering an understanding of the strength and resiliency of First Peoples in Canada. Under the umbrella of her own business, Little Drum Consulting established in 1996, Monique is also an accomplished writer with a diverse body of work that continues to influence the Aboriginal Early Years field. Monique is currently working on her first novel that tells the history of Aboriginal people in Canada through a lens of strength, resiliency and hope.