The Team
QWASTeNAYe (L. Maynard Harry)– Principal Partner
Maynard is a member of the Sliammon First Nation north of Powell River, BC. He has been an elected leader in his community with a strong interest in economic and business development for over ten years.
His main interest is the development of relationships between Aboriginal communities and corporate Canada. MORE/BACK
Maynard has been involved in Sliammon politics since 1996 and as a veteran community leader carries firsthand expertise in the areas of First Nation governance, sustainable economic development, human resource capacity needs, intergovernmental and corporate relationship building. From 2007 to 2010 Maynard worked with Plutonic Power as its Aboriginal Relations Officer and provided Plutonic staff with expertise in First Nations protocol and historical background. Maynard acted as a resource for Plutonic Power`s Aboriginal partners, contractors, suppliers and joint venture partners.
He also brings over 12 years of administrative experience in the area of Aboriginal rights and title (also crown land referrals) and archaeology. From 1995 to 2007, Maynard facilitated discussions between First Nations, third-party interests (including corporations, small business, residential land developers and all levels of government) across many industry sectors which resulted in Sliammon having more of a say in developments within its traditional territory. Maynard's approach involved respectful and timely communication as well as convincing the players at the table that positive working relationships were indeed possible.
In 2002 and Chief of the Sliammon First Nation at the time, he was instrumental in developing the Community Accord and the Memorandum of Understanding on Culture, Heritage and Economic Development between the City of Powell River and the Sliammon First Nation which kicked off his work with industry, communities and non-profit organizations, such as Success by 6, to develop mutually beneficial relationships.
In 2004 Maynard was named a 'Champion of Children' by the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society.
In 2008 the Council of the City of Powell River bestowed the `Freedom of the Municipality` on Maynard in recognition of his commitment and initiative to break down old barriers and develop a forward thinking, respectful, cooperative relationship with the City.
Maynard is the father of nine-year-old daughter Thitch Chale (Annika). The recognition that healthy children, healthy cultures, communities and economies are inextricably linked is paramount for Maynard. It forms the basis for his work with Aboriginal communities and organizations, industry and all levels of government.
Katrin Harry – Managing Partner
Katrin Harry was born and raised in Germany and moved to Canada in 1992. Since 1997 she is the Managing Partner with Ayjoomixw Concepts. Katrin has worked on projects such as the community accord between the City of Powell River and the Sliammon First Nation, Aboriginal engagement toolkits, strategic plans for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organizations and other assignments supporting business, economic and relationship development. She currently manages the Corporate Relations Program of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC) and recently completed a three-year contract as Executive
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Director with the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business (ICAB). ICAB facilitates programs furthering the relationship building between Aboriginal communities and industry. The organization brings Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders together to create opportunities for business. Katrin provided much of the innovation, leadership and expertise making it possible for ICAB to establish itself as a provincial organization, to grow and to secure substantial government funding to develop new programming. MORE/BACK
In 2009 and 2010 Katrin worked for the Four Host First Nations. The international exposure at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games provided an extraordinary opportunity to position Aboriginal businesses and communities as a source of world-class goods and services and as a competitive location for investment. Katrin coordinated the Aboriginal Business Showcase and Artisan Village, the Four Host first Nation's business development initiative during the Games.
Katrin is involved in all aspects of Ayjoomixw Concepts' projects and responsible for keeping team and clients connected, deliverables on target, work plans on time and budgets on track.
Megan Gros – Administration
Megan grew up in Earls Cove, a small community on BC's Sunshine Coast. She developed an interest in the complex social needs of Canada's diverse society early and volunteered with several local organizations and schools in Powell River. She pursued this interest with the completion of two Human Services certificates, when she joined Ayjoomixw Concepts in 2009. She has an extensive background and training in working with diverse groups of people to promote inclusion and diversity. Megan is in charge of our administration and attends to the myriad of details related to our projects. She also handles all administration and corporate relations for Ayjoomixw Concepts Event Management.
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