Featuring Tanille Johnston of WeWaiKai First Nation
Tanille Johnston (she/her) is a proud Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ woman from the WeWaiKai First Nation, a social worker, an author, a mother, and a politician.
Born and raised in Campbell River, B.C., Tanille has spent her life fighting for equity, justice, and community well-being. With over 14 years of experience as a registered social worker, she currently serves as the Director for North Vancouver Island with the Indigenous Health team of Vancouver Island Health Authority and as a City Councillor in her hometown.
Tanille’s leadership has always been grounded in action, whether delivering frontline services, building healthier communities, or advancing change within institutions. She’s served on the
University of Victoria Senate, the Native Student Union, the UVic Student Society Board and on
her Nation’s Lands Committee for nearly a decade. She launched into a successful municipal
election campaign in 2022 and, in 2025, ran as the federal NDP candidate for North
Island—Powell River and most recently had a very successful run for Federal Leadership of the NDP finishing an impressive third and officially becoming the first Indigenous person to every run for leadership of a Federal Political Party in Canadian History.
Event Details
🗓 Date: May 20 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PDT
📍 Location: Online Webinar
Workshop Description
Let’s explore Indigenous inclusion and exclusion across both the highest levels of government and the decision-making spaces closest to community.
In this session, we’ll look at what inclusion can mean in practice. Where are Indigenous people present in governance systems, and where are they not? What does participation look like at federal, provincial, and local levels?
This workshop creates space to examine these questions with curiosity and care. We’ll reflect on how decisions are made, who is involved, and where gaps or tensions may exist, recognizing there is no single experience or perspective.
This session invites thoughtful discussion, critical reflection, and a willingness to sit with complexity.