Indigenous Transitions Study

Jana Fox

For many years, Jana has had the privilege to learn and teach with talented educators in the Bulkley Valley School District, located on the unceded Witsuwit’en territory. She is a district teacher for SD54 Indigenous Education and a vice-principal at Silverthorne Elementary. Working alongside brilliant NOIIE leaders, Jana supports school and district teams throughout British Columbia as they engage in the Spiral of Inquiry seeking ways to improve outcomes for Indigenous learners in their settings.

Learning is a deeply-rooted passion for Jana, reinforced by the inspirational and creative educators she’s encountered along her learning journey, and by the wisdom of Indigenous knowledge holders and her Blackfoot ancestors. She is committed to the work that leads to quality and equitable environments that nurture the growth and well-being of all learners. Jana is always learning and strives to become a story weaver, gathering and sharing stories, and taking actions that contribute to positive transformations in the education system and the Indigenous community.

Lori Burger

Lori Burger is from the Nisga’a Nation, from the community of Gitlaxt’aamiks in the Nass valley. She is Giskaast (Killerwhale), from the house of Wisin xbiltkw, and Cree from Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan on her mother’s side, as well as settler heritages on her father’s side. Lori is committed to uplifting Indigenous voices and passionate about Indigenous representation both professionally and personally. She cares deeply about Indigenous representation and reconciliation learning, and is actively involved in evaluating Indigenous literatures and resources for use in the K-12 public school system. She has worked with the Association of Book Publishers of BC Indigenous Books for Schools and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) on authenticating First Peoples resources. 

Lori has been involved in Indigenous education for over twenty years in roles spanning from Support Worker to Teacher, to Vice Principal and District Administration. Lori is currently the District Vice Principal of Indigenous Education, Equity and Excellence in School District 52 in Prince Rupert. Her personal and professional focus has been, and continues to be, equity and Indigenous Education for all.