Knowledge Keeper and Director of Programs and Services for Nisga’a Lisims Government

School District 92: Nisga’a

Canada : British Columbia | North America

Cherie is a Nisga’a leader, knowledge keeper and systems thinker whose work centers on relational accountability, community wellness, and strengthening service delivery across the Nass Valley. She currently serves as the Director of Programs and Services for Nisga’a Lisims Government, where she oversees a broad portfolio including health, education, social development, and community wellness initiatives. Her leadership is grounded in cultural values, integrity, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for citizens.

With more than two decades of experience in governance, program development, and citizen service, Cherie brings a systems lens to every aspect of her work. She is particularly passionate about building structures that honour lived experience, elevate frontline staff, and create conditions for collective learning. Her approach emphasizes clarity, compassion, and the belief that sustainable change emerges when people feel seen, supported, and connected.

Cherie’s interest in Compassionate Systems Awareness reflects her dedication to strengthening educational and wellness pathways within Nisga’a communities. She is drawn to the framework’s emphasis on mental models, interconnectedness, and the cultivation of personal mastery as a foundation for organizational transformation. As a Master Practitioner‑in‑Training, she is committed to integrating these practices into her Directorate, supporting staff in developing reflective habits, and enhancing the systems that serve children, youth, families, and Elders.

Noxs Sak’al Gyoo is her Nisga’a name meaning to Align the Canoes. Her work is also shaped by her identity as a Nisga’a woman and cultural practitioner. She is an active creator, sewing regalia, graduation attire and button blankets, and has operated her small business, Sky River Creations, since 2003. She values creativity as a form of wellness and a way of staying connected to lineage, land, and community.