Council 2024-2025

My name is Sydney Griffith, I was born on the traditional territory of the Katzie and Kwantlen First Nation. For the majority of my life, I was raised on the lands of the unceded territory of the Stz’uminus peoples. 

Now I am living as an uninvited guest on the traditional lands of the Esquimalt nations, which was once inhabited by the Swenghwung (also known as the Songhees) and the Xwsepsum (sometimes spelled Kosapsum). At my time in Matoolia (Victoria, BC), I am continuing my education through a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Indigenous Studies at the University of Victoria. This institution stands on the land which was once inhabited by the Cheko’nein, the Chilkowetch/Hwyuwmilth and the Teechamitsa/Tsuli’lhchu families.

Kwe onyiatenro', Delwyn yiatsih. Yändia’wich iwayitiohkou’tenh, Wendat endi’. This will be my second year living and going to school on Lək̓ʷəŋən territory, where I will be continuing the "2nd year" of my Civil Engineering degree which I started at North Island College.

The First People's House and NSU gave me a home away from home here, and I am looking forwards to continuing to be a part of this community while supporting others as I was last year. While I am in engineering, I am also very passionate about language revitalisation, all our non-human relations, territory  management, and so much more.

Yaws! Weyt-k, Hello! 

My name is Tiffany Friesen. I am from the Nuxalk Nation from Bella Coola, BC, on my mother's side, and Ojibwe-Cree from Sandy Bay, Manitoba, on my father's side. I was born and raised on the unceded territory of the Tkemlups Te Secwepemc people. 

At UVIC, I completed my first year in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program and will be entering my second year in the fall. I am super excited to join the Native Student Union as a Councilor at Large for the 2024/2025 school term. I look forward to meeting you all this school year; you can find me hanging out at the FPH, chatting with the elders, and participating in many events with the NSU and Campus cousins. 

Say hi!! 

Taanshi! My name is Madeline and I am a metis woman from the traditional homelands of the Cree/Dene people in Red River, Manitoba. I am currently going into my second year of my Bachelor of Elementary Education, in hopes of being the cool art teacher at your local elementary school.

I am looking forward to be joining the NSU for this next school year as a Councilor at Large! You can usually find me in the FPH studying in the lunchroom, or playing guitar on the patio - Say hi when you see me!

Tansi, Jacob Smallboy nitisiyhkason. Hi, my name is Jacob my pronouns are he/him and I am Plains Cree from Maskwacis Alberta. I'm very thankful to be here at UVic, and I am currently pursuing a dual major of Biology and Environmental Studies. 

I am excited to be the administrative councilor here at the NSU and I look forward to working with everyone! Generally you can find me in the FPH or the NSU room working on school projects, or in any of the science buildings. Say hi when you see me!

ᐋᐧᒋᔦ  ᐦᐊᐤᓬᐄ  ᓂᐣᑎᔑᓂᐦᑳᐢ᙮  ᒥᐢᑳᐧ ᐊᑭ  ᓂᑑᐣᒌ 

Waaciye, HawLii nintishinihkaas. Miskwaa aki nitooncii. Anishinaabek of Wauzhushk Onigum, Treaty 3 territory.

I am in first year undergraduate studies, enrolled with the Faculty of Humanities. Drawing, collaging, creative writing, making music are some favourite pastimes. Taking candid photos with less-than-impressed cats is also a favourite pastime. 

Taanshi! My name is Lily, I am Métis from Red River on my paternal side, and mixed settler ancestry on my maternal side. I was born and raised on unceeded Secwépemc territory, more specifically the Shuswap region. I have been an uninvited guest here on lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territory since 2021. 

I am looking forward to this new role with the NSU alongside working as a Campus Cousin in the First Peoples House. I am often spending time in the FPH, come say hi!

Hello, my name is Anakin and I'm an Indigenous youth with familial relations to the Songhees, Esquimalt, and Haida nations. I'm in the process of completing a BSc with a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies at UVic. 

In my spare time you can find me outside on the land or at home spending time with my partner and our pets. I love hiking, sailing, good company, and good food. 

tānisi shirina evans nitisiyihkāson (hello, my name is Shirina Evans). kayahtê mistahi-sākahikanihk ohci niya (I am originally from Lac La Ronge) and I am a Two-Spirit Woodland nêhiyaw iskwêw (cree woman). 

In the fall of 2023 I will be in my second year of the JID/JD law progam at the University of Victoria. I have a BA in Sociology from the University of Saskatchewan and an Indigenous Language Certificate from the First Nations University of Canada.