Staff

Mark is General Counsel and Director of Process, he joined the Treaty Commission in 2001. Mark provides legal, political, and strategic policy advice on the protection and recognition of Aboriginal title and rights. Mark leads complex facilitations on treaty negotiations, and intergovernmental initiatives to improve the processes to achieve reconciliation amongst governments and Indigenous Nations. He is dedicated to Indigenous rights recognition, governance-building and inter-nation dispute resolution processes. Mark has been a key contributor to the Treaty Commission’s international work reinforcing the importance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigneous Peoples to negotiations between state and Indigenous Nations.

A graduate from the University of Alberta Law School, Mark was called to Alberta Bar, and is currently a member of the Law Society in British Columbia. Mark has focused his career on Aboriginal law and First Nations issues. Mark previously was a sole-practitioner, and has practiced Aboriginal and environmental law with the firm of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. He is completing a Master of Laws at the University of British Columbia focusing on First Nations legal issues. 

Tenisha is the Office Coordinator and joined the BC Treaty Commission in 2011. Prior to her employment at the Treaty Commission she worked for the Public Service Commission of Nova Scotia, Capital District Health Authority and ExxonMobil Canada in administration, human resources, and special projects. In 2007 Tenisha graduated from Eastern College with an advanced human resources management diploma excelling in compensation, benefits management and employee relations. In 2010 she became a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) joining the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations.

Angel joined the Treaty Commission in May 2016. She is the welcoming face at the Treaty Commission, supporting the organization in her role as Receptionist. Prior to working at the Treaty Commission, she worked in the hospitality industry as an assistant manager. Angel is a member of the Wet'suwet'en Nation in northern BC. 

Stephanie joined the Treaty Commission in November 2018 as Process Analyst. In her role she researches matters related to the treaty negotiations process, facilitates treaty negotiations, supports special projects, and assists with public education and information initiatives.  Stephanie has worked as a research assistant for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence. She holds an MA in Dispute Resolution from the University of Victoria. Her research has been published in the International Journal of Online Dispute Resolution.

Carmen joined the team as a Process Advisor in June 2019. She has a BA (Hons.) in History and International Relations from UBC, focusing on questions of Indigenous sovereignty and international decolonization. Her senior thesis explored the relationship between Indigenous women, children and the nation. Some past research projects of hers include: the emergence of Chinese-Canadian identities during the British Columbia Goldrush, Indigenous nationhood against the backdrop of the Quebecois separatist movement, and standards of international diplomacy in nation-to-nation relationships between federal and Indigenous governments. She has lived in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories, but now calls Vancouver home.