Indigenous Connections

AGNES HEARN

My name is Agnes Hearn and I was raised on a farm in the Fraser Valley. My husband and I have  been involved in church leadership for four decades, across Canada and around the world. When the opportunity came for me to join this committee I felt honoured. Because, for several years, I have felt a growing passion in my soul to serve and love the Indigenous community. I feel very inadequate and come with a humble heart, with one desire to love and to share the love of Jesus with others.

BETHANY BEATTIE

My name is Bethany, my home reservation is Little Black Bear First Nations in Saskatchewan. My Indigenous bloodline is Cree, Souix, Blackfoot, and English. I have been attending Kamloops Alliance for the last 3 years and I work as an administrator/owner at Beattie Insulation. I hold dear to my heart the love of Jesus. When KAC presented an opportunity to serve on the Indigenous Connections Team, I was pulled by God into serving others like myself. I have faced many adversities in my life and with God present I have been working on repairing my generational trauma. In turn, I would like to serve others with similar adversities navigate into Christianity. I grew up in a Christian/Indigenous home. I want to see others grow in their relationship with Jesus and walk hand in hand as a family to show love and compassion for one another as we continue to embrace the love and forgiveness of our Heavenly Father.

BONNIE LEPINE ANTOINE

Hello! I’m Bonnie, and my roots trace back to both Victoria, BC, and Québec City. For the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of living on the traditional territory of the Secwepemc people. I belong to the Huron-Wendat First Nation (Wendake) through my mother, while my father is a proud member of the Métis Nation. I’m married to Kukpi7 (Chief) Frank Antoine of the Bonaparte Indian Band in Cache Creek.
Currently, I serve as the Director of Reconciliation and Indigenous Education within the Francophone School District of BC (SD 93). KAC feels like home to me, and I’m grateful for the community here.
I’ve come to understand that God’s plan often differs from our own. Through life’s challenges, I’ve learned to navigate with faith, trusting that God guides me every step of the way. I truly believe that genuine joy comes from our Father.

BROOKE BAIRD

Weyt-kp! My name is Brooke and I have been living on the traditional lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc for four years. I acknowledge that I am a settler on these lands and I have not been invited to reside here. That being said, I am in awe of the resiliency of the Indigenous community here and across this nation, and I am honoured to listen to, learn from, and partner with these incredible people as we journey towards reconciliation together. I work as an Advocate at The Mustard Seed which simply means I connect people with much needed resources like housing, identification, medical support, spiritual care, and many other things. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your story! Kukwstsétselp!

Diane Down

As a transplanted American I arrived at Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation movement with a very different lens. My journey to this time has been one of personal reckoning as well as deep learning. I am honoured to walk with my Indigenous brothers and sisters toward better understanding, and supporting their full expression of the image of God in every aspect of their lives.

DIONNE MOHAMMED

K̓alhwá7al̓ap (hello to all)! I am thankful to Secwepemc Nation for the opportunity my husband and I have had to raise our children, work, and rest on the land you have stewarded. I am of Indigenous ancestry from Tsal’alh Band (Statimc Nation) on my mother’s side and have Mauritian and English settler roots on my dad’s side. I have worked in service to my Indigenous Peoples for almost 30 years through education and social work. As the daughter of a residential school survivor, I experienced the impact of generational trauma and desperately needed the safety and comfort of a Saviour. Jesus found me in that dark place and never let me go. My Father, the Creator, has instilled a deep love in my heart for my Peoples. Through Jesus, I have come into the fullness of my identity as an Indigenous woman who is loved by a Saviour who chose to lay down His life for me. Now, I walk forward allowing Jesus to guide my path showing me how He desires to bring healing to His Indigenous sons and daughters from the historical harm, which was justified through the wrongful use of His name. It is my prayer that you would know that you are loved, that your life has purpose, and that you would meet the Creator in a new way – through His Son, Jesus Christ.

KEVIN FRIGON

Kevin is a proud member of The Metis Nation originally from Treaty 6. He has two adult sons and is an excited grandfather.

He lives near Heffley Lake and works as member and partner of the Wisdom Circle Collective; a consulting organization supporting First Nations and Indigenous organizations with Planning, Capacity Building and Implementation.