About
Katherine

Katherine was born in Winnipeg. Adopted by a non-Indigenous family as a newborn, she was raised alongside her two adopted brothers, and attended Westwood High School until she had her first daughter Taryn in 1989. She welcomed her second daughter Tanya in 1994, and son Cole in 2003.

Katherine has worked in numerous capacities for indigenous communities in Manitoba and British Columbia, including as a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder mentor for the InterTribal Health Authority, policy analyst with the First Nations Family Advocate Office, and executive director of Songhees Nation.

In 2017, Katherine co-founded the 60s Scoop Legacy of Canada – a national nonprofit aimed at healing and wellness for Survivors and their families. There, Katherine led the changes to the 2017 First Nations and Inuit Settlement Agreement, co-led the campaign for a National Inquiry, and raised over $350,000 for Survivors. Katherine has twice presented at the Expert Mechanism for the Rights of Indigenous People in Switzerland, and launched an ongoing Epigenetics research project to study the effects of child removal and trauma in Manitoba.

Strongwind Solutions, a marketing and communications consulting business was founded by Katherine in 2020. Under this banner, she was instrumental in leading 2021’s “No Pride in Genocide Rally” in Winnipeg and the record-setting South Island Powwow in 2022. She continues to do contract work in marketing and communications, and is currently a Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies student at Royal Roads University focusing on community development and communications. 

Katherine has served on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Edward Milne Community School Society and the Sea to Tree Foundation. She also joined the Sooke Chamber of Commerce in January.

In her spare time, Katherine is likely to be found hiking, reading, or attending community events. She is a proud resident of Sooke and is eager to contribute her experience and values to the community as a councillor.