Staff

Jodene Blain, BA, LL.B, MBA - Band Administrator

Jodene has been the band manager since 2016. She began working with AIB as a part-time legal consultant and program administrator in 2012. She earned her B.A at Thompson Rivers University and her Law degree (LL.B) at UBC in Vancouver. Jodene has worked for a law firm in North Vancouver, owned her own businesses and worked for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in several different departments from 2008-2015. She is a registered member of AIB and when she is not working she enjoys running and biking all over Kamloops.

She is committed to bringing new economic developments to the community and will continue to work for new opportunities for AIB. She loves her job and the people in the community and can’t wait to see the new projects come to life over the next year or two.

Char Pittman - Health Director of the Ashcroft Band Health Center

Is a member of the First Nations Health Directors Association.

Char began working as the receptionist for the Ashcroft Band Office in 1988 and her education and training never stopped.  She has received training in Food Skills for Families through the Canadian Diabetes Association, First Nations & Inuit Health Non-Insured Health Benefits Medical Transportation, First Nations Water Quality Sampler Orientation Course, First Nations Health Authority safe-TALK Suicide Alertness for Everyone, The Vancouver Island Crisis Society’s “Crisis Intervention Skills Training and Indigenous Tools for Living - Complex Trauma, all of which are critical to health and well-being.

She is married to Dennis Pittman who is also a registered member of the Ashcroft Band. They have three children, Anastasia, Mackenzie and Malcolm.  Char enjoys getting back to “being on the land”, harvesting and gathering with family and friends.  Currently, she is very interested in learning and being educated on our culture, traditions and protocols as most is getting lost.  Her door, as she says, is “always open” should anyone feel the need to just talk.

Kaitlan Hansen  - Finance Assistant/ Post Secondary Education Coordinator

Kaitlan started at the band in October 2017 and has five years of administrative and finance work experience in addition to obtaining her Administrative Assistant Certificate and completing finance courses at Thompson Rivers University. She is currently completing the Executive Assistant Diploma with intentions of laddering into and completing the Bachelor of Business Administration at TRU.

Jason Blain - Ashcroft Travel Centre Manager

Jason was part of the team that managed the vendor contracting and construction of the Ashcroft Travel Centre. Jason’s personality and leadership skills were vitally important during the challenging start-up phase. His focus on good service and good team management have helped make the Ashcroft Travel Centre a successful venture. He grew up in Ashcroft and attended Thompson Rivers University. He has been working with the Ashcroft Band since 2014. When he is not working at the Travel Centre, he enjoys spending time at home with his family.

Cheryl Wigemyr - Resiliency Manager for the Ashcroft Indian Band.

Cheryl began working with AIB in 2017, after the Elephant Hills wild fire as the Resiliency manager. She comes from a large family in Southern Alberta and is now a proud wife, mother and Grandmother. Her hobbies include riding, chasing cows, crafting, gardening, camping and spending time with her husband and family.  Cheryl is dedicated to her family and to this position by building resiliency within all members and the community.

Cheryl holds a Social Service Diploma (Honours) from the College of New Caledonia of Prince George, British Columbia. She demonstrates her skills and experience by providing client-centered care to help build resiliency within the community. Cheryl is committed to serving and empowering those in need. She demonstrates strong social work values and ethics while respecting cultural diversity of all people in a professional confidential manner. Cheryl brings forth certificates to help individuals that are dealing with trauma and addiction problems and continues to upgrade her credentials to better service all members.

Diana Hoggard - Community Engagement Coordinator/ Emergency Management Coordinator

Diana has been with AIB for 4 1/2 years, working in the Band Office as the Community Engagement Coordinator, Emergency Management Coordinator (Local FireSmart Representative) and Admin Asst.

Diana has many years of experience as an Account Manager / Office Manager within the B2B Industry, with experience in Accounting, Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. Diana is also a certified Education Assistant, with training in Inclusion, Reconciliation and Child Development.

Diana is a happily married mom of 3 children with 4 grandchildren and is very active with youth sports in the Ashcroft Community.  She is a Board member of the South Cariboo Minor soccer Association, Coaches her son’s soccer team and was Team Manager for his hockey team for many years as well.

April Voisey - Social Development Worker/ Housing Manager

April is the newest member of the Ashcroft Indian Band and has now been with us for 2 years. April is the Band's SDW, Housing Manager and Administrative Assistant. She moved to Ashcroft to be closer to family and friends. She is happily married with 2 beautiful daughters.

April has 10+ years Administrative and finance experience working with Pacific Regional Training Center for the RCMP and volunteer work with Chilliwack Crime Prevention as a Victim Services Worker.

April’s hobbies include gardening, fishing, hiking and martial arts. She has 7 years of Martial Arts training with Hiscoe Jiu Jitsu.  She is the Co-Founder/ teacher (Sempai) of “Ready Set Kai” a children’s self-defense ages 2 - 12 years.

April has settled in to life in Ashcroft and enjoys working with the Ashcroft Indian Band Community.