Doug Kelly has twenty-one years of experience in leadership roles for Aboriginal communities. This experience includes 6 years as a self-employed Community Development Consultant.This service also includes thirteen years in senior management including: Executive Director, First Nations Summit Chiefs' Health Committee, Executive Director, Health and Social Development for Sto:lo Nation, Operations Manager for the Sto:lo Tribal Council. In 1992, the First Nations Summit elected Doug Kelly to serve as a Commissioner for the BC Treaty Commission.

First elected chief in 1983, Doug Kelly held this position for 4 years. He served on the Sto:lo Nation Executive and held the portfolios of Education, Social Development, and Child Welfare.

Grant Commodore is a Councilor for Soowahlie and is currently serving his first term on the Council. Grant’s knowledge is in the area of Forestry and Fishing. Grant has spent numerous years fishing with his family in the Fraser Canyon, near Yale, British Columbia, and works regularly on many different types of Forestry Enhancement Projects. Currently Grant supervises the forestry crews and helps oversee any Forestry contract work that the Band obtains. Grant holds the Band’s Portfolios for Forestry and Fishing.

Nelson Kahama is a Councilor for Soowahlie and is also currently serving his first term on Council. Nelson’s training and experience are in the areas of Housing and Infrastructure. Nelson has previously worked for many years as a Housing Coordinator for the Yakima Indian Band in the United States of America. Nelson has also worked as a Supervisor of the Maintenance Department at the Sto:lo Nation offices in Sardis, BC. Nelson holds the Band’s Portfolios for Housing and Infrastructure on the Reserve. Nelson is also a Water Quality Technician and works on 17 of the 24 Sto:lo Bands.

Bruce Sam brings 30 years experience in the gravel mining industry. He has worked in a managerial capacity in the gravel industry in California, Washington State, Alaska and B.C. Currently, Bruce is supporting the work of the Soowahlie First Nation in operating its gravel mining operation.

In addition to his lengthy career in the gravel industry, Bruce responded to the call of community service; he has served two terms as Chief of the Soowahlie First Nation and a total of 17 years on band council. Bruce also served for 5 years as a member of the Council of Ye Siyam (Executive Committee) for the Sto:lo Nation Society of B.C., overseeing the operation of the Community Economic Development Department. In the early 1990’s, he was in charge of the Sto:lo Tribal Council’s Economic Development Portfolio.

Apart from his extensive political and managerial experience, Bruce is a Director of the First Nations Agricultural Lending Association, a founding member of the Sto:lo Nation Development Corporation and is currently a Director of the Fraser Basin Council. Bruce’s many contributions to the aboriginal community continue to this day. Bruce has honed his negotiating skills in the business world, at the treaty table and during lengthy talks with DFO over annual Sto:lo fishing plans. Bruce is a founding member of the Th’ewali Group of companies.

Grant Commodore

Nelson Kahama

Bruce Sam