Nicole Chaland is a housing and homelessness researcher and advocate. Nicole brings extensive community economic development and popular education experience to this work.

Dr. Bernie Pauly is a professor in the UVic School of Nursing, a scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, a member of the Renewal of Public Health Services Research Team, and a priority lead for the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.

I am a descendant of Mi’gmaq First Nation and several Settler cultures. The lived experiences I have with homelessness have informed my professional experiences in leading peer support and community-based research. I often describe myself in terms of using the gift of “Two-Eyed Seeing”, a worldview embraced and taught by Elders of Mi’gmaq Nation. Wela’lin, (Thank you, I do well by you)

Parker is the Director of Community Engagement with The Existence Project. He is a community organizer, facilitator, and youth mentor with extensive experience doing community outreach and inclusion work, primarily with youth who have been marginalized by systemic injustices.

Doug and Kathy call Tsawout First Nation home and are part of the səlxʷéyn sqʷél SELWÁN SḰÁL (Elders Voices) program at UVIC. They provide an important connection to Indigenous culture and leadership which is highly valued by our cohort.

“Honour who you are and where you came from. You have the power to achieve what you want.” Kathy Horne

“It’s important that we’re there for the students and that we’re showing them that it’s possible to overcome difficulties.” Doug LaFortune