Wellness Manager, Okanagan Nation Alliance

cak^wəm – Jennifer Lewis

cak^wəm is a syilx woman, mother, auntie and helper from snpinktn – Penticton and nkmplqs – head of the lake (near Vernon).  She currently manages the Wellness Department of the ONA working with the people to develop nation based plans and strategies in the areas of health, child and family, education and mental health.  She oversees the creation of syilx specific resources and programs and advocates to government for culturally relevant and accessible services. 

Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Social Work and Masters of Indigenous Social Work and is currently a 1^st year PhD Program student in UBC-Okanagan Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate program. 

She organizes and chairs the ONA Wellness Committee comprised of Health and Social development directors from the communities and the Syilx Indian Residential School Committee.  She is deeply committed to the wellbeing of her people and healing from the atrocities of on-going acts of colonization.  

limləmt | Thank You