Our Team

TRICIA LOGAN

She / Her

PhD | Interim Academic Director

Dr. Logan is Métis, originally from Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. As the interim Academic Director of the Centre, her day-to-day work includes overseeing the Centre’s operations, acting as a liaison between the Indigenous Advisory Committee, community representatives and UBC, and supporting the broader direction of the Centre as it concerns Survivors and Indigenous communities. Dr. Logan is cross appointed as an assistant professor in First Nations and Indigenous Studies, at the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. 

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Dr. Logan was the Manager of Research at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, a curator for the Canadian Musuem for Human Rights, and worked on research at the Aboriginal Healing Foundation from 2000-2010. Dr. Logan holds a PhD in History on the Histories of Settler Colonialism and Canada and the history of the Residential School system in Canada, in addition to a Master’s in Native Studies and a BA in Native Studies. 

KRISTIN KOZAR

She / Her

MLIS | Executive Director / Oral Testimony Program Co-Lead

Kristin Kozar is a member of Hwlitsum First Nation located in Canoe Pass with familial ties to the Musqueam Indian Band, Penelakut Tribe and Lummi Nation. Kristin is the Executive Director at the Centre and works closely with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation to assist in gaining better access of residential school records for First Nations in BC. She is also the Co-lead of the Oral Testimony Program.  Her work in research and engagement centres Indigenous Data Sovereignty and the inherent right to data when working with Residential School and Indian hospital records. 

Kristin works towards building relationships and walking alongside internal and external Indigenous units at UBC. She firmly believes in the importance of interpersonal relationships and cultural humility when working with Indigenous individuals, community, and content.  

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Kristin worked with various Indigenous organization and communities, including her own, serving on the Hwlitsum council for six years. Kristin holds a Master’s in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) with a concentration in First Nations curriculum and is currently working on her PhD at the UBC iSchool with a focus on Indigenous data sovereignty and residential school records

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 an immigrant of South African settler ancestry. As the Acting Collections Manager at the Centre, her work includes overseeing the Centre’s Residential School records database and the collections website. She develops partnerships with different archives and imports copies of their records into the Centre’s database, thereby increasing Survivor access to records. She is committed to disrupting colonial information practices with guidance from Indigenous colleagues and communities.  

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Naomi worked with small libraries and archives, implementing content management systems. She also worked as a sessional history instructor at both UBC and SFU. Naomi 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.

CECILIA “CECI” RAWEATER

She / Her

Collections Archivist Assistant

Cecilia “Ceci” Raweater is from Siksika Nation, Skwah Nation, and is a member of the East Vancouver community. 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. Ceci has an unrelenting passion for community involvement and is actively involved in many Indigenous initiatives.   

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Ceci worked as member of the Indigenous Committee, as a UBC Indigenous Student Ambassador, and as an academic assistant for UBC School of Social Work. Ceci was also a SiksikaNike7 Youth Worker on her reservation and is currently working for the Urban Native Youth Association. Ceci is working towards a BA in First Nations and Indigenous Studies. 

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

Education and Programming Strategist [On secondment to CTLT Indigenous Initiatives through Sept. 2024]

Shannon Robinson is an Education and Programming Strategist at the Centre. She hails from intersection of Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 territory in Red Deer, Alberta, but holds an undergraduate degree in Art History and First Nations & Indigenous studies from the University of British Columbia. Shannon has worked as a program coordinator for the Native Youth Program, supported public programming at the City of Red Deer and held an internship in Education and Public Programs at the Museum of Anthropology. She appreciates every opportunity to work with and learn from community. She strives to establish pathways for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to come together in a good way.

JESS BOON

She / Her

BSW | Community Outreach Coordinator

Jess Boon is a mixed-race person with Dutch and Trinidadian roots. She is the Community Outreach Coordinator. Her work includes coordinating tours, assisting events with the engagement team and coordinating projects and youth projects. Jess is actively involved child welfare policy and advocacy.   

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Jess worked in East Vancouver with youth in or from foster care and has extensive experience in youth work. Jess has a Bachelor of Social Work from the UBC School of Social Work, a certificate in community counselling from Vancouver Community College and is working towards a Master’s in Social Work at UBC.  

AMEI-LEE LABOUCAN

She / Her

MA | Communications Manager

Amei-lee Laboucan is a Black non-status nêhiyaw-âpihtawikosisân iskwew. Her family is from Treaty 8 territory in northern Alberta. Her Nana is from Driftpile Cree Nation and her Papa grew up on Métis squatter lands at Winagami Lake before moving to McLennan, Alberta. Amei-lee grew up on the unceded territories of the Semiahma, sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ, kwikwəәƛ ̓əәm, q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ and q̓ic̓əәy̓ First Nations.

Amei-lee Laboucan is the Communications Manager at the IRSHDC. Her work includes developing, leading and implementing effective communications strategies, as well as developing communication policies and procedures. Amei-lee is an award-winning journalist who values joyful, resilient Indigenous storytelling by decentering deficit-focused narratives and contextualizing Canada’s colonial past and present. She has a MA in Indigenous Studies from the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta, a Bachelor of Journalism from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and an Associate of Arts Degree from Douglas College.

RENITA BANGERT

They / Them

MA | Communications Coordinator

Renita Bangert is of mixed Punjabi and German heritage. They are the Communications Coordinator 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. 

CHLOE AFI GRANT

She / They

BMS | Communications Assistant

Chloe Afi Grant is mixed Afro-Indigenous and settler from Red Deer Alberta with ties to Ghana and Thunderchild First Nation. She is the Communications and Social Media Assistant, a position within the Work Learn Program. Her work includes supporting the communications team, creating social media graphics and captions, providing research and supporting ongoing projects within the centre. Chloe is also a storyteller and an intergenerational Survivor who is reconnecting with her nêhiyawak roots. 

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Chloe worked as a certified lifeguard/swim instructor and as a freelance social media manager. Chloe is working towards a MA in Children’s Literature and holds a BA in Media Studies from UBC. 

TANESHA RATT

She / Her

Communications and Engagement Assistant

Tanesha Ratt is a Woodland-Plains Cree woman and member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band located in northern Saskatchewan on Treaty 6 Territory. As a Communications and Engagement Assistant within the Work Learn Program, she supports the communications and engagement efforts of the Orange Shirt Day Campaign at UBC.

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, Tanesha worked as a casual early childhood educator at Mikisiw Awâsis Early Learning Centre located in her home community. While celebrating Indigenous resistance and resilience, Tanesha continues to reconnect to her First Nations identity as an Intergenerational Survivor. Tanesha is working towards a BA with a major in First Nations and Indigenous Studies and a minor in Sociology.

BRANDI BIRD

They / Them

Events and Communications Assistant

Brandi Bird is Saulteaux, Cree and Métis from Treaty 1 territory (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and is a member of Peguis First Nation. They have family ties to East Selkirk, Pine Creek First Nation, and the Métis communities in Camperville and Duck Bay. As a Communications and Engagement Graduate Academic Assistant, Brandi supports the IRSHDC in planning events such as Orange Shirt Day as well as assists with project management activities and communications assignments. 

Prior to joining the Communications and Engagement Team at IRSHDC, Brandi worked as Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Indigenous Spring 2023 Writer-in-Residence where they consulted with & edited student, staff and faculty writing. They also held and facilitated workshops and events for the greater KPU creative community. Brandi is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing and holds a BFA in Creative Writing from UBC.

PARAS DEACON

She / Her

Administrator Coordinator

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. 

KELLY NGUYEN

She / Her

Administrative Assistant

Kelly Nguyen is from Danang City in Vietnam. As an Administrative Assistant at the Centre, her work includes monitoring the reception desk, greeting visitors, and Survivors to the Centre, taking inquiries from Indigenous community members and supporting the administrative side of the Centre. Kelly is committed to preserving community values while nurturing the centre’s growth.   

Prior to joining the team at IRSHDC, she worked in community with the University Neighbourhood Association (UNA). Kelly holds a BA in Hospitality Management.