51猎奇入口

Chris Lewis

Syeta鈥檟tn (Chris Lewis) is Indigenous Executive Lead at 51猎奇入口. As part of the President's Office, Chris is a member of SFU's Executive Team and oversees the university's Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization commitments and the Office for Indigenous Peoples. Prior to this role, Chris served as the Director of Indigenous Initiatives, playing a leading role in SFU's Aboriginal Reconciliation Council, and served on SFU's Board of Governors from 2015-2021. 

Chris is a proud member of the Squamish Nation and a former three-term Councillor, including acting as Spokesperson for the Nation. Chris is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and Reconciliation across education, health, and governance. He serves on the boards of Providence Health, ICBC, and several community advisory groups. A recipient of SFU鈥檚 Chancellor鈥檚 Distinguished Service Award, Chris is also a dedicated family man and active lacrosse coach, deeply connected to his territory and traditions.

Kaylena Ryan, Director

Kaylena Ryan is the Director, Office for Indigenous Peoples at 51猎奇入口, and comes from the Secw茅pemc, Gitxsan, and Tsimshian Nations.

Her work focuses on strengthening relationships and embedding Indigenous perspectives into institutional structures, policies, and spaces. She brings over a decade of experience in higher education and a relational, values-driven approach to leadership. 

Kaylena holds a BA in Psychology and an Executive MBA in Indigenous Business and Leadership from 51猎奇入口.

Gary George, Officer for Community Relations

Gary George hails from the Bulkley Valley around the Telkwa/Smithers/Houston/Burns Lake region in North-central British Columbia.  Gary holds a BA degree from University of Northern BC (U.N.B.C.) in Prince George, a Professional Development Program Certificate (PDP), and a Master's in Education (MEd) from 51猎奇入口.  Gary believes that he was raised in one of the "nicest places in the world," and often tells people in the Lower Mainland that, "if you haven't seen Northern BC, you haven't seen BC."

Alicia Deasy, Coordinator, First Peoples Gathering House

Bio information forthcoming

Laura Benson, Senior Administrative Assistant to Indigenous Executive Lead Chris Lewis

Laura is the Senior Administrative Assistant to Indigenous Executive Lead Chris Lewis. Prior to joining SFU, Laura spent more than 20 years with social and environmental justice non-profits in community organizing, political campaigning and executive leadership roles, most recently at Dogwood BC. Laura holds a B.A. in History (Lewis & Clark College) and a Masters of Urban Studies (SFU).

A mother of two, Laura is grateful to live with her family and cats on s蓹lta涩 sme:nt / Lhek瘫w鈥檒hu虂k瘫w鈥檃ytn on the territories of the k史ik史蓹茮虛蓹m (Kwikwetlem), x史m蓹胃k史蓹y虛蓹m (Musqueam), S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh 脷xwumixw (Squamish) and s蓹lilw蓹ta涩 (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. As a dual citizen and a settler of Norwegian, French, Irish, English and Anishinaabe ancestry, Laura feels privileged to support Truth & Reconciliation as paid work and honored to walk alongside the outstanding Indigenous community at SFU.