WHO WE ARE
Sacred Circle, with the understanding that the medical model treating mental illness is not working, embarked on a journey to develop a healing program that brings forward the inner wisdom of all of us.
Remembering the teachings of our ancestors, ensuring protocol is being followed and carefully re-integrating Indigenous and modern practices, Sacred Circle is intent on offering services that take a holistic approach to wellness.
Remembering the teachings of our ancestors, ensuring protocol is being followed and carefully re-integrating Indigenous and modern practices, Sacred Circle is intent on offering services that take a holistic approach to wellness.
SACRED CIRCLE CULTURAL PRACTIONERS
FRANCINE DOUGLAS
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Stó:lō from Sts’ailes Nation and Tsimshian from Metlakatla Nation, Francine values the cultural teachings that she has learned from her xwelmexw family. Francine works with Sacred Circle, supporting their vision for a healthcare system that centers Indigenous knowledge and ancestral traditional medicine. She is on the board for MAPS Canada, supporting safe ethical access to entheogenic medicines and supports Thélá:ylexw awtxw, an organization focused strengthening the collective voice of Stó:lō women.
Francine’s desire to support First Nation communities through colonialism and displacement from their traditional territory has brought her to a diverse career in mental health, business and cultural tourism. Francine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and was the valedictorian of the Ch’nook Indigenous Business Program from the UBC Sauder School of Business. |
OTIS JASPER
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Otis is Sto:lo from Soowahlie and Cheam Nations, married into Tkemlups te Secwepemc. The founder of Sacred Circle, the Director of Business Development and Partner Relations with All Nations, an Indigenous Cannabis Company, and a well-respected cultural leader with his family and community, Otis' vision is the preservation of our cultural healing practices for future generations.
Otis served ten years as an elected leader and Chief for his home community of Soowahlie, has earned his Master's of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and upholds a strong cultural and ceremonial life for his family and children. |
DARWIN DOUGLAS
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Darwin is responsible for strategic oversight, management and operation of All Nations, a leading Indigenous cannabis company. He is co-founder of Sacred Circle, an Indigenous health and wellness organization, integrating plant medicine and Indigenous ways of healing. As former, long-standing council member for the Cheam First Nation and director of Cheam Enterprises Inc., Darwin is well-versed in First Nation’s politics, business development and strives to assist Indigenous Nations achieve economic independence. He currently sits as elected Chief of Cheam First Nation.
Darwin is a leader in both his family and community. Throughout his life, his work has been driven by the legacy of his late Grandfather Chief Albert Douglas, a genuine leader who had a vision of wellness and prosperity for the Stó:lō people. The second oldest of seven siblings, Darwin is proud to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit that was passed down from grandparents, and follows in the leadership path his family created. Darwin has been a longstanding protector of Indigenous cultural knowledge and resources within his traditional territory for over 22 years. He holds a certificate in Cultural Resource Management from the University of Victoria. |
RUEBEN GEORGE
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Sun Dance Chief Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation is an Indigenous community organizer, spiritual leader and founder of Sacred Circle. He is a Sun Dance Chief and the grandson of Chief Dan George, the Oscar nominated and universally respected First Nations spiritual leader.
Rueben started his career by founding and creating Dukes Youth Healing Centre 25 years ago. Rueben learned very quickly that the foundation for his success in his work would be his culture and spirituality. Currently Rueben is the Manager of Sacred Trust, an initiative of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation mandated to stop the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project. |
KATY GOTTFRIEDSON
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biography coming
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JUSTIN GEORGE
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Justin George from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation has built a legacy in the cultural, political and business world. The son of late and former Chief of the Tsleil-Wautuh Nation, Leonard George, and grandchild of the late Chief Dan George, Justin is a highly regarded cultural and community leader.
Justin was an elected councillor for his Nation for 14 years, 4 years as Chief. He worked in economic development for over 18 years as negotiator and leading Nation-owned companies. He is a successful business owner and founder of Sacred Circle. His deep-rooted passion is to support families, Nations and Tribes and to build a legacy for the next generations, a legacy of pride and empowerment. |
KIM HAXTON
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Kim Haxton is Potowatomi from the Wasauksing First Nation in Ontario, and has worked across Turtle Island and abroad in various capacities, always emphasizing local leadership development.
Her deep understanding of the need for genuine restoration has far-reaching implications as leaders seek vision, and all people seek direction to address the mounting pressure of a system incongruous with the values of the natural world. Respect. Responsibility. Reciprocity. Equity. She is in high demand with corporations, non-profit organizations and individual leaders who have come to trust her vision, wisdom and guidance. She provides one-on-one leadership coaching, creates and delivers workshops, and delivers keynote addresses for her corporate clients and others. Her work is founded in land-based education and leadership; she has developed and facilitated programs in as many as ten countries and even more cultures. Kim works with Indigenous communities toward decolonization and liberation, and with groups interested in understanding Reconciliation. |
ELDER
STAN GREENE
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Stan Greene is a dedicated teacher, canoe paddler, and leader in cultural practices. He has spent his life reviving Salish traditions, particularly through his carving, painting, and dancing. Based in Chilliwack, Stan teaches about the land and spirit, sharing his deep knowledge and commitment to his heritage. His efforts have earned him an honorary doctorate from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2007, recognizing his contributions to the revival of Salish art and culture. |
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND APPRENTICE
DANYA DOUGLAS
MENTAL HEALTH TEAM
ALANAISE GOODWILL
MERISSA TURNER
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As a South African settler who lived through apartheid, Merissa Turner knows all too well the cost a violent history and ongoing colonization have on the fabric of society. Over the past few years, she has deeply invested in learning cultural ways and finding a merge between Western healing modalities and Indigenous healing practices to forge a new path forward for all. Merissa embraces the belief that Indigenous knowledge and practices are crucial in guiding us towards creating a sustainable and equitable society. She brings her training in transpersonal psychology, developmental science, inherited family trauma, and somatic experiencing to this work, supporting the Sacred Circle vision for a new wellness model that honours Indigenous wisdom and ancestral traditional medicine.
In addition to her healing work, Merissa is a conscious filmmaker and co-creator of an online healing network. |
DR. ZACH WALSH
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Zach Walsh, PhD, RPsych (he, him) Professor l Psychology l The University of British Columbia Zach Walsh, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, where he helps train clinical psychologists and directs the Therapeutic Recreational and Problematic Substance Use lab. His clinical focus is on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and motivational enhancement for harm reduction and well-being enhancement. He has published more than 100 research articles and chapters and has presented to diverse professional and public audiences on topics related to cannabis, psychedelics, mental health, and public health. |
DR. HILLARY MCBRIDE
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I am a therapist, researcher, speaker and writer. I love to help see people grow, heal, change, and come into more fullness in themselves and their relationships. I am passionate about the well-being of all people, and want to make psychology and academic research accessible to a wide variety of people.
Hillary supports Sacred Circle with psychological evaluations to support a holistic approach to working with sacred medicines. |
MEDICAL TEAM
DR. REG PETERS
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Dr. Peters is focused on preventative health. His practice uses innovative therapies that address the interplay of emotional, social, spiritual and physical health. He is passionate about seeing healing in communities.
A physician for over 25 years specializing in emergency, trauma, and family medicine, he is also a UBC clinical assistant professor. He is currently involved as a physician supporting Sacred Circle. |
LIANNE BJORNERUD
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Lianne Bjornerud is a Nurse Practitioner with a focus on First Nation and Refugee health care. She is honoured to provide healthcare at both Semá:th First Nation and Stó:lō Nation. Her passions in the field include women’s health, sexual health and mental health care. With nearly 20 years of medical experience and a Master of Public Health degree, Lianne continues to foster a deep understanding of the multiple factors that affect the health of individuals and communities. She is passionate about the safe use of psychedelic medicines in mental health care and provides this care with Sacred Circle, Katalyst Mental Health and at Upstream Health. Lianne has also co-facilitated somatic therapy groups at Stó:lō. She has trained with Roots to Thrive and Fluence Psychedelic Therapy. When she is not working in health care, you can find her exploring local mountain trails and cold rivers with her dogs…or cuddling her new beautiful grandbaby.
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LINDSAY JONES
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I am Métis (Ojibwa ancestry), born and raised in Winnipeg, but have made British Columbia my home for the past 30+ years. We’ve been grateful to live in Snuneymuxw Territory on Gabriola Island for the past 18 years.
As a “Sixties Scoop” foster child in Winnipeg (1963-1976), I feel a strong connection to fostered and adopted Métis and First Nations children. This experience was a catalyst for me to work in government and with communities to develop and implement policies and programs that contribute to reconciliation and human flourishing. I am a life-long learner and enthusiastic student of leadership, communication, organizational development, and system transformation. My years as a public servant, workshop facilitator, human resource professional and leadership/life coach have taught me about the power of partnership building, and collaboration to create change. My curiosity in understanding why some organizations and teams work so well together, while others struggle—led me to complete an MA in Leadership and Training at Royal Roads University in 2012. I compared contemporary theories on happiness and well-being to Indigenous concepts such as the Medicine Wheel and Ojibwa teachings of Bimaadiziwin “the way of a good life or everyday good living”. I am also a certified Martha Beck Life Coach and love supporting people to thrive in their personal and professional lives. I am grateful to say that I have been happily married to my husband Ron for 45 years, the beamingly proud mother of four adult children and a grandmother. Motherhood has taught me about the joy of human relationships, the importance of flexibility and patience and the art of letting go—skills I draw from every day in my professional life. |
CULTURAL ADVISORS
THOMAS JONES
CARRIELYNN VICTOR
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EDMUND FAUBET
KIM HAXTON
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Kim Haxton is Potowatomi from the Wasauksing First Nation in Ontario, and has worked across Turtle Island and abroad in various capacities, always emphasizing local leadership development.
Her deep understanding of the need for genuine restoration has far-reaching implications as leaders seek vision, and all people seek direction to address the mounting pressure of a system incongruous with the values of the natural world. Respect. Responsibility. Reciprocity. Equity. She is in high demand with corporations, non-profit organizations and individual leaders who have come to trust her vision, wisdom and guidance. She provides one-on-one leadership coaching, creates and delivers workshops, and delivers keynote addresses for her corporate clients and others. Her work is founded in land-based education and leadership; she has developed and facilitated programs in as many as ten countries and even more cultures. Kim works with Indigenous communities toward decolonization and liberation, and with groups interested in understanding Reconciliation. |
ELDERS COUNCIL
STAN GREENE
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