Our Team

JOHNNY MACK

He / Him

LL.B., LL.M. | Academic Director

Johnny Mack (Heynahmeek) is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Toquaht Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island. He is Academic Director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, and he also serves as Co-Director of Indigenous Legal Studies at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, where he is an Associate Professor.

Johnny’s research explores Indigenous legal traditions, settler law, legal pluralism, and Indigenous–state relations, with particular attention to the epistemic and political structures that shape recognition, resurgence, and law. His work has appeared in law, business, and interdisciplinary journals, and he is the author of Turning Sideways: Intimate Critique and the Regeneration of Tradition (2024), which anchors his current book project. He is also Co-Director of the Balance Co-lab, an Indigenous-led international research collective that supports Indigenous self-determination by co-developing decision-making tools, research, and impact assessment processes grounded in Indigenous values and legal orders. The Co-lab’s work spans Turtle Island, Aotearoa, and Latin America, and is supported by a $2.5M SSHRC Partnership Grant.

A dedicated educator, Johnny has been honoured with both the George Curtis Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence and a UBC Killam Teaching Prize. His PhD studies were supported by a Joseph-Armand Bombardier SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship and a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. He currently serves on the Indigenous Community Leaders Circle with the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia.

DAVID MCATACKNEY

He / Him

MLIS | Research Manager

David McAtackney is from Belfast in Northern Ireland. As the Research Manager and Oral Testimony Program (OTP) Co-lead at the Centre, David’s work includes archival research, research ethics, and managing the equipment and technical side of OTP.  

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, David worked in a variety of social and health science research projects with a variety of Indigenous communities across BC. David holds a Master’s in Library and Information studies (MLIS) and a BA in History and Ancient History. 

NAOMI LLOYD

She / Her

PhD | Senior Systems and Metadata Specialist

Naomi Lloyd is a settler and an immigrant of South African ancestry. As the Collections Manager, she supports the Centre’s mandate of making Residential School records more accessible to Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors. Naomi is responsible for the Centre’s Residential Schools records database, including the import and cataloguing of records, and oversees the collection’s website. With guidance from Survivors, Indigenous colleagues, and Indigenous community members, she is committed to disrupting the colonial information practices that define the information professions and to pursuing a Survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach to her work.

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Naomi worked with small libraries and archives, implementing digital content management systems. She holds a PhD in History and a Masters in Library and Information Studies (MLIS). 

CINDY CUSTODIO

She / Her

Collections Archivist Assistant

Cindy is from Manila, Philippines. As a Collections Archivist Assistant, a position within the Work Learn Program, her work mainly involves working with the Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden collection, which includes managing inventory and writing re-descriptions. Cindy is also a freelance film editor with experience in making documentaries and short films.

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Cindy worked as a creative consultant for Istorya ng Pag-asa (Stories of Hope), a nationwide project in partnership with the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines. Cindy has two BA degrees in film and creative writing and is working towards a Master’s in Archival Studies at the UBC iSchool.

JAYLENN TOURANGEAU

They / Them, He / Him

Collections Assistant

Jaylenn Tourangeau is a third-year student in the Bachelor of Arts progam, with a Major in First Nations and Indigenous Studies and a Minor in Visual Arts and Design. They are a proud Two-Spirit Denesuline (Chipewyan) person and a member of the Lutsel Ke’ Dene First Nations in the Northwest Territories. They grew up in Ft, Smith, NT and now live in Vancouver, BC with their partner.

Jaylenn attended Grande Prairie Regional College and graduated with a Visual Arts and Design Diploma in 2016. They were the valedictorian for their class. With an interest in re-claiming history and Indigenous knowledge from a Two-Spirit understanding, Jaylenn has committed themselves to using their art practice as the basis for their Indigenous Research Methodology framework and re-Storying the colonial history of Kanata to place Indigenous people and knowledge systems at the front.

In joining the Indian Residential School and History Dialogue Centre, Jaylenn is hoping to bring the voices of the Two-Spirit People back into the circle and allow them to be heard.

KIM LAWSON

She / Her

MLIS | Research and Community Liaison Librarian

Kim Lawson is an intergenerational Residential School Survivor and member of the Heiltsuk Nation (Bella Bella, BC). Her work at the Centre involves addressing barriers to archival records and helping people find information via archives and libraries. Kim is interested in digital cultural safety and Indigenous digital pedagogy. She sees the interconnectedness of education, cultural humility, strengthening Indigenous knowledge systems and information services as a crucial aspect of Indigenous informatics and community resilience.

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Kim worked as an Archivist/Librarian at the Resource Centre for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and librarian at Xwi7xwa Library for more than 10 years. Kim holds a Master’s in Library and Information studies (MLIS).

SHANNON ROBINSON

She / They

Engagement Manager

Shannon Robinson was born and raised in Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 territories, growing up on either side of the Red Deer River. Since 2012, Shannon has lived as an uninvited guest on the traditional, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ peoples. Shannon holds an undergraduate degree in Art History with a minor in First Nations & Indigenous studies at the University of British Columbia. Their professional background is in educational development, consultation and facilitation, community engagement, and curation.  They have held positions with the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, the Museum of Anthropology and other places where institutional and community voices intersect.

Shannon approaches her work with the aims of disrupting colonial systems and centering reciprocity and relationality at the heart of her practice. Shannon believes in the radicality of pursuing joy and love against all odds, and that laughter is a necessary tool in rebellion.

RENITA BANGERT

They / Them

MA | Communications Manager

Renita Bangert is of mixed Punjabi and German heritage. They are the Communications Manager at IRSHDC. Renita’s work involves designing and implementing communications strategies across social media, print and online. They work on graphic design, visual identity, audio and video editing, and writing for the Centre’s website. 

They hold an MA in Digital Innovation in Journalism and have a background in both journalism and podcast production. Renita produced IRSHDC’s 2022 podcast Love, Land and Spirit, and worked on a number of other productions highlighting Indigenous governance and cultural resurgence. They specialize in trauma-informed, narrative-driven work. 

JANE GARAPICK

She / Her

Administrative Assistant

Jane Garapick is a second-generation settler Canadian, honoured to be part of the IRSHDC. She has great passion for and commitment to her role and the work of the Centre. In addition to her skillful handling of a wide range of sensitive and challenging administrative responsibilities, she brings an empathic and kind disposition to her work with all Centre staff, partners, and community members. 

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Jane worked in a wide-variety of private and public sector organizations throughout Canada and the US, providing support and advocacy in her previous roles. She is an advocate for the societal disempowered, beginning with her work on behalf of the Vancouver Crisis Centre conducting suicide prevention workshops in high schools, then freelancing as a coach empowering women. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Psychology. 

PARAS DEACON

She / Her

MA | Administrator Coordinator | On Leave

Paras brings invaluable lived and community experience to her role, drawing from her mixed Turkish and Persian heritage and degrees in Sociology and Community Development. As the Admin. Coordinator, Paras oversees administrative, HR and financial operations at the Centre. Paras has over 10 years of experience at UBC, and she prioritizes Indigenous Rights and community engagement, participating in both on and off-campus initiatives.

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Paras held the role of Administration Manager at the First Nations House of Learning. She demonstrates deep respect for Survivors and Elders, while advocating for peace, unity, universal education and gender equality. 

CLEA JONQUIL HARGREAVES

She / Her

MAS | Project Manager

Clea Jonquil Hargreaves is a second-generation settler Canadian with ancestry from Scotland, England, and Norway. As the Project Manager at the Centre, her work includes the nurturing of collaborative relationships both internal and external, guaranteeing organizational and project stewardship grounded in our core principles of reciprocity and respect.  

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Clea worked as a freelance personal archivist, researcher and counsellor with a focus on memory, trauma, and grief. Clea holds a Master’s Degree in Archival Studies from UBC, a BA in History from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and various Counselling certifications.