Our Team
PRESIDENT
jmoney@okanaganfestival.org
Jenny Money
Jenny is Syilx and Nlakapamux and resides on her ancestral territory in the Okanagan Valley. Jennifer currently serves as a Director on the Board of Directors for the First Nations Health Authority. She is also a UBC 23 24 Indigenous Cultural Safety Facilitator and sits on the UBC Faculty of Medicine Faculty Advisory Committee. She is an Appointed Director to the Greater Westside Board of Trade, Economic Development Commissioner for Westbank First Nation and occupies several member seats on various committees. She is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Public Health through the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. Jennifer is a dedicated and passionate advocate for Indigenous peoples within the many realms she finds herself in both personally and professionally.
VICE PRESIDENT
danielle@okanaganfestival.org
Danielle Crowe
Danielle is of Algonquin descent and has been working in the tattoo industry for 13 years. She owned and operated the largest and most award-winning tattoo shop in Kelowna. She also launched and operated the Okanagan Tattoo Show for five years while raising her two beautiful daughters. Danielle is a passionate preserver of seeds and lover of all things foraged and friendly to the environment. This passion sparked her initiative The Guild Gardens offering several educational and environmentally friendly planting practices and heirloom seed cultivation. Danielle has also served her community as an Art Instructor for the Canadian Mental Health Association.
ARTISTIC DIRECTIOR
dani@okanaganfestival.org
Dani lion
Dani is of Secwepemc and Carrier Dene descent, hailing from a long line of Matriarchal Chiefs. She is a passionate and vivacious performer who proudly represents her Indigenous roots in every performance that she does. Her art focuses on projects that bring people together through music, dance and culture. “May my music and my light be medicine for the people.” Dani is currently attending Nimbus School of Recording and Media for Audio Engineering and has released several collaborative music videos.
CULTURAL DIRECTOR
hailey@okanaganfestival.org
Hailey Causton St̓aʔqʷálqs
Hailey is a proud member of Westbank First Nation and mother to three young boys. She is an avid language activist who is well-rooted in her community, culture and language. She has recently completed her Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies. Hailey is a driving force and founding member of T̓I KʷU T̓I X̌ILX Indigenous Association .
Elder- Advisement, stage / art instalment construction, on-site volunteer coordinator
NOEL FERGUSON
Noel is from Canoe Creek BC. in the Caribou Interior. He grew up in Fort St John BC. He currently works at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, full time for the last 7 years in building maintenance. He also worked sporadically in and around the Center 3 years prior. assisting staff and such. Noel has been in sobriety for the last 11 years and draws significant strength from his culture. He enjoys partaking in the traditional ceremonies in the Okanagan Territory. He continually feels honoured to be working at the Centre and values his role as an Elder for the Okanagan Indigenous Music and Arts Society. He loves working for the community and creating the friendships he enjoys today.
Elder Advisor, Education liaison, Volunteer Recruiter 2020
CAROL L FRASER, B.Ed., E.C.E.
Carol is primarily an educator. She is a proud Indigenous woman, of Cree and Scottish descent. Carol has been involved in the community in a variety of capacities. Firstly, as an educator of Indigenous students at Kipohtakaw (Alexander) First Nations Education Society, Ben Calf Robe Indigenous Program housed in St. Clare Replacement, Catholic School, Kitaskinaw First Nations Education Society, on the Enoch Reservation, Edmonton Young Offenders Centre (EYOC) and the Edmonton Maximum security prison. She remains committed to providing educational services in an honest and respectful manner to promote and preserve Indigenous cultural pride. Secondly, Carol Fraser invested two years as a volunteer in the development of quality early childhood development and care (ECDC) programs for Indigenous children. She was a committee member for the National Aboriginal Head Start for two years. Carol realized how critical it was and still is to close the gap between Indigenous and non- Indigenous peoples in Canada. Finally, Carol chooses to work within the Indigenous Music and Arts community in an administrative capacity, assisting others with their dreams and aspirations. In particular, the annual Okanagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival is proving to be a vital endeavour promoting the well-being of First Nations, Metis and Inuit artists.