DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Drin hǫzǫ! Shozre Julia Spriggs, and I am truly proud to call Dawson City my home. Growing up here has shaped my identity, and after living in various parts of Canada and even Barbados, I felt an undeniable pull to return to the Yukon in 2015, settling back in Dawson City in 2017.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of serving in senior leadership roles within Yukon First Nation Development Corporations. These experiences have deepened my commitment to fostering economic growth and nurturing community development. As a graduate of Robert Service School (RSS), my connection to local education is close to my heart. I’ve also enjoyed working as a substitute teacher at both RSS and Chief Zzeh Gittlet School. I am passionate about creating meaningful career pathways for our youth. I want every young person in our community to feel empowered, knowing they have options and opportunities right here at home and don’t need to choose between culture and career.

In my role as Director of Finance and Operations, I aim to blend financial expertise with a warm, human-centered approach. As a chartered accountant with a systems-thinking approach, my vision is to build an integrated finance department that serves all our schools and departments. I believe that by providing our teams with the right information, we can empower them to make informed decisions that positively impact our community.

I strive to break free from the typical “numbers person” stereotype. I thrive on relationships and collaboration, drawing energy from working alongside others. You’ll often find me engaging colleagues in thoughtful conversations because I believe that great ideas flourish when we share and discuss them together.

I am deeply committed to the vision and values of the First Nation School Board. My hope is to leverage my skills and experiences not just to support our goals but to create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

With my strong roots in the Yukon, diverse professional background, and heartfelt passion for community development, I am excited to embark on this journey with the leadership team at the First Nation School Board. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for our students and communities.

FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

Bonnie was raised in Teslin, a member of the Kukhhittan clan of Teslin Tlingit Council, but moved to Whitehorse for high school and has lived here since. Her mother, Bessie Cooley, is a well known Tlingit language and culture teacher.

After receiving her diploma in Accounting at Yukon College, Bonnie worked 30 years with the finance department at Yukon government’s Department of Education, where she most recently held the position of Capital Project Cost Analyst/Budget Analyst.

This makes Bonnie very familiar with the financial operations of Yukon public schools putting her in a great position to support the First Nation School Board schools.

“Being part of the set up of this new school board is pretty exciting,” says Bonnie. “I completely support the work we are doing. It is so good to see Yukon First Nations finally sharing authority over our public schools.”

FINANCE ADVISOR

Hello! I’m Raj Toor from Abbotsford BC. I completed my Master's Degree in Business Administration at the New York Institute of Technology-Vancouver and moved to in Yukon summer of 2022.

I have worked with CIBC as their Financial Representative, learning all about financial planning and helping people achieve long-term goals while learning the importance of financial literacy and responsible investing.

Outside of work, I have a love for the great outdoors. I find the joy of living in Whitehorse, surrounded by the beauty of mountains and lakes, and going hiking, camping, paddle boarding, and so much more. You can say I'm in my element when I'm outdoors!

I'm excited to work with such amazing people and it's an honour to be a part of an institution that values knowledge, education, empathy, and the betterment of our communities.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS LEAD

Dä̀nchʼe?

My name is Jeramy, and I had the privilege of growing up hunting, fishing, and hiking on Alberta Treaty 6 Plains Cree traditional territory. I moved to the Yukon in 2012 with my partner, looking to pursue more of those activities after hearing amazing stories from close friends who once lived here. I thought it might be an adventure for a few years, but we soon fell in love with the land and people here. I am a fourth-generation immigrant of European settlers, including Scottish, German, and Swiss.

I am a Red Seal steamfitter/pipefitter and completed that schooling at Red Deer Polytechnic. I worked all over Alberta and Saskatchewan in industrial construction, as a labourer up to doing corporate QA/QC and safety, and have a knack for interpreting codes and standards.

After moving, my goal became focused on community, soon finding many communities here to be part of, including volunteering on the board for BGC Yukon and the Fireweed Market Society. It was at Yukonstruct where I learned I was a Maker and started doing programming in 2014, eventually working there full time, becoming the Makespace Program Coordinator, where I designed educational adult and youth programming from leatherwork to STEAM robotics camps.

I saw so much success with neurodivergent people like myself using experiential learning and met teachers, principals, students, and First Nations community leaders passionate about experiential and on-the-land learning from all over the North. Having had the opportunity to learn so much from so many people, I am excited and honoured to learn more and work for an organization like the First Nation School Board that believes in these types of programs as well as the power and importance of community.

When I’m not working, you can find me in the mountains hiking, kayaking, fishing, and hunting, or at home crafting or playing Dungeons & Dragons with my awesome nerd friends.

Shäwthän dek’ànnta

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Drin Gwiinzii, shuuzrì’ Indica Stewart vàazhii. Khasrijil’aii Tetlit Gwich’in tr’iinjòo ihłii. Shizheh K’oo trih tł’eedik Teetłit Gwinjik tshuu zheh gwats’àt giinli; shizheh K’oo Teetl’it Zheh gwats’àt giinli. Whitehorse gwihch’in.

(Good day, my name is Indica Stewart. I am a proud Tetlit Gwich’in woman. My family originates from the banks of the Peel River Watershed; my family is from/lives in Fort McPherson. I live in Whitehorse.)

I was raised by my grandparents and was incredibly fortunate to grow up immersed in traditional knowledge and Gwich’in culture, guided by my grandmother, Mavis Stewart. She made sure that I was brought up the way she was, grounded in who we are as Gwich’in. She passed on her teachings to me, and I continue to learn from her every day.

I visit Fort McPherson often and try to spend as much time as I can on the land. Being back home, surrounded by the river, the bush, and the sounds of the land, brings me a deep sense of peace. It’s where I feel most grounded, most connected to my spirit, and to who I truly am as a Gwich’in woman. The land reminds me of where I come from, and it always brings me back to myself.

Over the years, I’ve grown a deep passion for learning more about my culture and reconnecting with the Gwich’in language, especially knowing that my grandma carries the weight of being a silent speaker because of the impact residential school had on her. That pushes me to keep learning, not just for myself, but for her and the generations to come. I carry our stories and strength through sewing, beading, and painting, these forms of art keep me grounded and connected to my roots.

I come from a long line of strong matriarchs and patriarchs, women and men who have always inspired me to walk in my culture with pride, purpose and humbleness. Their strength and guidance continue to encourage me to learn our traditional ways and to carry them forward. I hope to be a trailblazer for future generations, just as they were for me.

Sports have always been an important part of my life, especially volleyball, basketball, and softball. Being involved in sports has taught me lifelong values such as confidence, self-discipline, teamwork, and pride. These lessons continue to shape who I am today, both personally and professionally.

I’m proud and excited to continue this journey; learning, growing, and helping to keep our culture alive through my work with the First Nation School Board.

OFFICE AUNTIE (Tlâkw)

Yak’é yagî (Good day - Tlingit), I am a Dakhł’awedí woman, a descendant of the Fox family from Teslin. My mother’s maiden name is Bosely and my father was a Grant. I was born in Whitehorse and raised in the Okanogan and interior BC. I’ve been in the Yukon continuously for many years and am pleased to have raised my daughter in Whitehorse, surrounded by family for the past 23 years.

You may recognize my name as I have worked at Yukon Education for the past 15 years in the First Nations Initiatives Branch. This year, I felt compelled to explore new opportunities. I am super excited to be part of the newly forming team at the First Nation School Board. I am very proud of everything we’ll be working towards and all that’s been accomplished so far. I believe this is where I am meant to be at this time in my life and am excited to play a role in making history!

Please call or email if you need assistance; I am here to help. I hope we get a chance to meet and grow to know each other on a personal level. I look forward to the day our paths cross. Gu.aal kwshí kʼidéin i yagiyeeyí ḵuwusteeyíḵ! (I hope your day is well - Tlingit).