Over the summer, we welcomed a number of new faces to IRSI. With an expanded team, we are able to provide additional support, outreach and services to Indigenous communities as well as to researchers. Meet Associate Director, Lerato Chondoma; Research Manager, Marliese Dawson; Community Liaison (UBC Okanagan), Sandra Fox; Communications Strategist, Julie Gordon; Administrative Support, Emma Graves; Education & Training Officer, Alison Krahn; Manager (Administration & Special Initiatives), Emily LeBaron; Information Management Officer, Sam Nock; Community Liaison, Adina Williams; and Communications Work Learn student, Alina Yalmanian.
Lerato Chondoma
Title: Associate Director
Year I started working at UBC: 2013
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: I work toward institutional transformation and hope. I am a convener, facilitator, bridge builder and knowledge broker.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: Getting to be in community and visit with community members and Elders.
What I do when I am not at work: I am running after my beautiful, energetic five year old son… and still trying to jump on boxes at cross fit!
Personal items I have on/around my desk: A variety of coloured pens, my gifted spirit bear from a community partner, my ‘justice for Colten’ button, and a TRC calls-to action-booklet.
Something (or someone) that makes me laugh: Morning clips by Trevor Noah from the Daily Show.
Marliese Dawson
Title: Research Manager
Year I started working at UBC: I have just celebrated my twenty-year anniversary at UBC!
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: Support collaborative relationships with Indigenous community members and researchers looking to engage in co developed projects.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: I love working with such a diverse, humorous and inquisitive team of women.
My favourite place to spend my lunch hour: In the tall fir trees of Rhododendron Wood, in the Hawthorn Place Neighbourhood.
What I do when I am not at work: Laundry.
One thing that might surprise people about me: I started teaching tap dancing classes (subbing for my mom), when I was 13.
Personal items I have on / around my desk: A Tide to Go instant stain remover pen and some kind of sour candy.
Sandra Fox
Title: Community Liaison, UBC Okanagan
Year I started working at UBC: 2019
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: Assist in building culturally safe, reciprocal relationships between UBCO researchers and Indigenous community
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: I have the opportunity to work with incredible people – not just the staff of IRSI, but also the ORS/VPRI staff, all of the amazing Indigenous researchers and staff members on campus, and the local Indigenous communities. I am excited to be part of a campus that is working towards meaningful and holistic relationships with Indigenous peoples and decolonizing and (re-)Indigenizing research. This role also allows me to connect my passion of education and research with my own decolonizing and (re-)Indigenizing journey.
My favourite place to spend my lunch hour: Either eating and working at my desk or out on the campus trails.
What I do when I am not at work: Spend time with my two children, spend time with my boyfriend, go for a walk or hike, work on my thesis, write in my journal…
My favourite place: Almost anywhere outside, but I really love Monashee Provincial Park, the Paul's Tomb and Knox Mountain trails, Lynn Valley and Pacific Spirit Park.
Julie Gordon
Title: Communication Strategist
Year I started working at UBC: 2018
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: I provide strategic communications support for IRSI – in other words, spreading the message about who we are and what we do in a variety of ways.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: The team I work with and the research partners we support. As a non-Indigenous person, I appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow on a continual basis. We are a diverse group of colleagues and I like the balance and insight that the varied perspectives provide.
What I do when I am not at work: Read, write creative non-fiction, try to get outside as much as possible.
My favourite place: There are so many places I love. Anywhere with clear water, snow, forested trails. Killarney park in Northern Ontario, with its pristine lakes and quartz rock hills, has an extra special spot in my heart.
Emma Graves
Title: Administrative Support
Year I started working at UBC: 2019
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: Supporting the work that IRSI does.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: The people I work with are great. Working at UBC has allowed me to take part in opportunities that are of interest to me.
My favourite place to spend my lunch hour: In the sunshine (when it’s sunny!)
Emily LeBaron
Title: Manager, Administration & Special Initiatives
Year I started working at UBC: 2016
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: I manage operations, and provide strategic support to drive institutional change.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: The best thing about my role is that I get to use a wide variety of my skills and experience to drive changes within the institution that are aligned with my values. My prior experience drafting institutional policy for SFU, as well as experience working in the VP Research & Innovation Office, coupled with my own Masters’ community-based research, positions me well to use the language and levers of the university in progressive ways, to better support researchers and Indigenous community members. As a white settler that is also the child of an academic, I’m in a position to leverage my privileges of education and experiences to help “get my house in order” and support the research landscape to become a more equitable and collaborative place for all. I also get to play an important role in building our awesome team at IRSI, which has been incredibly rewarding so far.
My favourite place to spend my lunch hour: The trail behind the Museum of Anthropology to Tower Beach, walking along the beach, & spying on otters and seals. Otherwise, Koerner’s patio in the summer.
What I do when I am not at work: I spend a lot of time hiking in the mountains & camping in the backcountry with my partner and Fern, my border collie mix. I’m also an avid thrifter and love to restore teak furniture. In my spare time, I take every chance I get to explore the pacific northwest, especially the gulf islands.
Alison Krahn
Title: Education & Training Officer
Year I started working at UBC: 2017
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: Co-develop experiential learning programs with Indigenous partners to support better practices of engagement and research.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: Engaging in meaningful work with a great team.
My favourite place to spend my lunch hour: Walking in the Rhododendron Forest with my dog.
What I do when I am not at work: Ride my bike!
One thing that might surprise people about me: I’m well suited for hypnosis.
Personal items I have on/around my desk: Coffee, books and dog treats.
Something (or someone) that makes me laugh: My niece.
My favourite place: In Vancouver, Spanish Banks at low tide.
Samantha Nock
Title: Information Management Officer
Year I started working at UBC: 2019
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: I manage the information and research data for the department/resident computer and database nerd.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: Working with data through an Indigenous Information management lens, I get to learn about the ways in which Indigenous Nation’s data and information can be a part of nation building, sovereignty, and decolonization.
What I do when I am not at work: I’m a writer, active in the arts community, host my own podcast, co-organize a monthly poetry reading series, co-parent two cats with my roommate, and take care of a small jungle of plants in my house.
One thing that might surprise people about me: I’m an amateur stand up comic.
My favourite place: I have three favourite places: Pulpfiction Books on Main St., Porteau Cove, and Massy Books in Chinatown. Bonus place: Buntzen Lake.
Adina Williams
Title: Community Liaison
Year I started working at UBC: 2019
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: Engaging and communicating with Indigenous communities and UBC researchers who are involved in research together.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: I really enjoy working and engaging with people and communities. Throughout my time as an undergraduate student at UBC, I was always seeking out opportunities to participate in work that would involve engagement with other students and with Indigenous communities both on and off campus. It is very exciting for me that this engagement piece is such a large part of my new role, and I really look forward to meeting and working with everyone along the way!
My favourite place to spend my lunch hour: I love walking around campus and appreciating all of the beautiful nature here. This was one of the best ways for me to unwind as a student, and I know this will be the same as I transition into my new role at UBC. I’m always happy when I am joined by a friend or colleague!
What I do when I am not at work: I love listening to music, particularly rock & roll. In the summer I went to see Neil Young, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones in concert. This fall I look forward to seeing John Fogerty and The Who!
I also like to read, write, and spend quality time with my friends and family!
One thing that might surprise people about me: I enjoy playing soccer –I spend at least 2 hours a day kicking my ball around after school or work. I played competitively when I was in elementary and high school.
Alina Yalmanian
Title: Work Learn Communications Coordinator
Year I started working at UBC: 2019
15 words or less to describe what I do at IRSI: I help out with IRSI’s social media, website and general communications work.
The best thing about my work/role at IRSI: I love the creative side of the work that I do and that I get to learn something new every day!
What I do when I am not at work: When I am not in class or studying, I love going on a run in Charleson Park.
One thing that might surprise people about me: People usually don’t believe me when I tell them that I have a brown belt (one below the black belt) in Karate.
