Nanaimo Pride Society Board of Directors
Nanaimo Pride Society Board Member Bio's
Faran Berg
President
They/Them
Faran Berg brings their lived experience as a Two-spirted Metis and Sami individual to their work at Nanaimo Pride Society, and campaigns for marginalized voices and organizational equity. Faran has practiced recovery based on abstinence, cultural care, and collective healing. Their focus revolves around safe spaces for those who are in recovery from addictions, trauma, and mental health. Faran currently holds a B.A. in English and creative writing and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Early Childhood education. Faran often volunteers to dance with the youth from Tswalk School where they are taught a variety of cultural dances from the Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island. Their foundation of values include inclusion, diversity, and kindness. A quote they live by, “Humankind. Be both.” Unknown.
Natalie Stewart
Vice-President
She/ Her
Natalie Stewart (she/her) is a descendant of colonizers, born and raised on the territory of the Secwépemc. She's been an uninvited guest on unceded Snuneymuxw land with her wife Jenny since 2011, where they’ve been raising their two daughters. Currently employed at VIU, she is in her second term with NPS. Her hobbies include video gaming, moviegoing, camping, sports, and having enough free time to accomplish precisely none of them.
She's an openly, visibly queer woman of trans experience, is very likely neurodivergent, and is perpetually exhausted maintaining the grace and humility that such a role seems to demand. Nevertheless she persists in trying to make Nanaimo a safer, more inclusive place for the entire community, and working towards equity for those without a seat at the table.
Chris Perrier-Evely
Secretary
He/They
Uy’ skweyul / Hello / Bonjour.
My name is Chris Perrier-Evely. I use He/They Pronouns. I continue to redefine my identity with my Mi’kmaq ancestry and connection to our local Snuneymuxw/Snaw-Naw-As/Stz’uminus cultural practices. I am a husband, dog dad, Teacher and a passionate advocate for Equity seeking groups. I am currently working in the Nanaimo District Teachers’ Association (NDTA) office as a released officer. When I am not in the elected position of “Professional Issue Officer” in the office, I am an Inclusion Support Teacher with Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools.
I live fully in my queer identity for myself but to also make space for others to see and hope to inspire others to live in their truth. In the current climate, both locally and internationally, it is so much more important for us to take a stand and open doors for those who have not had the opportunity or privilege to come to the table and have their voice heard.
Elbetia Gurdián
Treasurer
They/She
Elbetia is honored to serve as the newly elected treasurer for the Nanaimo Pride Society! Growing up as a Latinx queer, Elbetia is no stranger to the importance of safe, inclusive, and humanitarian politics. They are a first generation Canadian from the traditional territory of the Metis and Blackfoot nations and have been on Vancouver Island for the last seven years. Elbetia is a mental health advocate, feminist, and staunch proponent of centering marginalized voices and experiences. Although they have been involved in many political activism and social justice movements, this will be the first time Elbetia will have the opportunity to serve their community as an executive board member.
Rosa
Director at Large
They/Them
Rosa is a passionate member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Rosa has personal and professional experience in the mental health and addictions field for almost 20 years; Rosa presently works as a practitioner via e-counselling; professionally, they use words to fiddle with their clients' brains with largely positive results. Rosa hopes their driven, inclusive, compassionate mindset will help create safe spaces for LGBTQ2S+ folx and assist in creating inclusive events that are inviting and provide a sense of safety and diversity through personal expression.
Rosa has many human friends (all odd), but their very best friends are their cats; when not caring for fur babies, Rosa enjoys cooking, singing, and dancing, as well as connecting to the natural elements of this earth, which assists in the aim of healing, supporting, and uplifting one another through empathy and humour.
Stephanie
Director at Large
She/They
Stephanie has lived and learned as an uninvited colonizer on traditional territory of Snuneymuxw people for the past 4 years. Born on the traditional territories of Algonquin Anishinaabe peoples, they have visited many provinces as a traveler and tree planter. They identify as a queer non-monogamous pansexual witch. They enjoy walking the dog, caring for plants, and dancing. They have a passion for philosophy and social justice and are honored to be serving our beautiful community.
Vanessa
Director at Large
Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Vanessa has lived on the unceded traditional territory of the Suneymuxw First Nations for the past 10 years. Vanessa’s educational background includes a bachelor’s Arts with a double major in psychology and anthropology and a Master of Science degree in forensic anthropology. She has been working within the Nanaimo community
as an advocate for marginalized and vulnerable populations since 2015. Vanessa started volunteering with the LGBTQ2S+ youth
group, Generation Q, in 2016 and has recently been hired as a co-facilitator for the group. Vanessa also has spent her time
volunteering with the Mobile Youth outreach team during the start of the pandemic. Currently Vanessa is a project coordinator at Mid Island Metis Nation, where she is creating/facilitating a new grass roots initiative group to help
support women identifying individuals on addressing poverty within our Nanaimo community. Her future goals include applying
to medical school to be able to fill a major gap in the health care systems for marginalized and LGBTQ2S+ communities on
Vancouver Island.
If you would like to contact the board send us an email at hello@nanaimopride.ca.
We meet once a month so our responses may be delayed.