Carrier Sekani Family Services
Andrea Palmer has extensive experience in communications and media relations. Andrea is currently the Director of Communications at Carrier Sekani Family Services, where they lead a strong communications team to support internal and external communication needs. Prior to this, Andrea worked at Northern Health - BC, where they held various roles including Communications Lead - Capital Projects and Regional Manager, Public Affairs and Media Relations. Andrea was responsible for media relations, issues management, and emergency communications activities. Andrea has also worked as a Communications Advisor at Northern Health - BC, where they supported the marketing and communication needs of the Population and Public Health Department. Andrea has previous experience as an Administrative Communications Coordinator at Prince George Public Library and as an Instructor at College of New Caledonia. Andrea has also worked as an Independent Educational Advisor and Tutor. Andrea started their career as a Readers Advisor at Prince George Public Library and as an Instructor at the University of Northern British Columbia. Andrea began their professional journey as an Associate Producer/Researcher/Freelancer at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, where they worked on script writing, research, and idea sharing for the radio show Daybreak North.
Andrea Palmer's education history begins with their attendance at Earl Marriott Secondary, where they studied between 1990 and 1994. However, no specific degree or field of study is mentioned for this period.
Andrea later pursued higher education at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) from 2002 to 2005, earning a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Interdisciplinary MA, specializing in English and Anthropology.
In addition to their formal education, Andrea has obtained various certifications and completed training courses. These include Nowh Guna' / Carrier Competency Training for Professionals Working with Carrier People & First Nations from Carrier Sekani Family Services in November 2019, and a Certificate of Completion for the Facilitating Engagement Workshop from Delaney + Associates - Stakeholder and Public Engagement in June 2019.
Furthermore, Andrea gained experience through the Experience LINX - Leadership Training program offered by several healthcare organizations including Northern Health - BC, Interior Health, and the Provincial Health Services Authority in May 2018.
Andrea also completed the Aboriginal Reference Training through the Provincial Community Librarian Training Program, although the specific date is not provided.
Other certifications and trainings in Andrea's history include American Sign Language training through the Signs For Me program with Susan Warren in 2007, Indigenous Cultural Competency through the Provincial Health Services Authority (date not specified), Radio Skills training at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto, Teacher and Instructor Training at the University of Northern BC, and participation in the Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutoring Program administered by the Prince George Volunteer Adult Literacy Training (VAULT) program. However, no specific dates are mentioned for these certifications and trainings.
Carrier Sekani Family Services
In the late 1980’s the elders and leaders of the newly formed Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) came together and decided that it was time that social and health issues were brought to the forefront. The social well-being of the Carrier and Sekani people needed improvement and it was time to begin on a new path- one that would lead their member nations to a better place and a solid future. The CSTC took their first step on this path by employing eight people to support Carrier and Sekani families to navigate the Child Welfare system. In addition, they saw the need to have a patient advocate for Carrier people at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia. Based on their vision on August 1990, a non-profit society was established to provide social welfare supports, legal guidance, and research to Indigenous people living in remote and urban areas in Northern BC’s central region. The non-profit was named Northern Native Family Services. In later years it was re-named Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS). CSFS signed its first transfer agreement in 1997 to provide community-based health programs. As the service needs in child welfare, social, health and legal programs were on the rise; these areas became the development priorities for the agency. Landmark events began with the incorporation of a small office and a handful of employees, and with the guidance of a board of directors, the society moved forward. Today, CSFS is a leading organization with more than 280 skilled staff members in Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James and Burns Lake. CSFS is committed to a strong foundation in Carrier and Sekani values, beliefs and philosophies. As a result, we are progressive and a forerunner in the development and delivery of community based programs.