Indigenous Leadership

Mr. Ross is a hereditary member of the Nlaka'pamux Nation in British Columbia. He has more than twenty years of successful experience in the areas of post-secondary education, healthcare, the non-profit sector and working with and for multiple Indigenous communities and organizations. Simon has multidisciplinary interests ranging from community health, career development, leadership training, adventure tourism, and environmental land-based education. He is Director of Indigenous Leadership at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. 
Throughout his career, Simon has stood at the forefront of developing meaningful connections and has built a reputation as a catalyst in championing the empowerment of individuals and communities. 
Working with the Ktunaxa First Nation on their social governance initiative, Simon provided support and guidance to leadership based on research and evaluation of the Indian Act and British Columbia legislation to support their community development of strong, healthy individuals, families, and communities. This research and experience ignited Simon’s passion to explore Indigenous leadership in greater breadth.
As a senior health program advisor in his previous role at Alberta Health Services, he partnered with healthcare providers to better understand the diverse needs of First Nation communities in planning quality programs and services. In the areas of education and career development, Simon worked as a liaison between Indigenous workers and future employers and initiated culturally based Indigenous and non-Indigenous skills and leadership training programs. He has provided operational leadership in funding, program advancement, strategic planning, board governance, and community and governmental relations. He is currently the Director of the Indigenous Leadership at Banff Centre.

Wil Fraser (he/him) is the Program Associate and Elders/Knowledge Keepers/Participant Support for Indigenous Leadership and Cultural Leadership Programs at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. In this multifaceted role, Wil provides holistic care and cultural support to Elders, Knowledge Keepers, faculty, and participants, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout each program.  With a deep commitment to Indigenous ways of knowing and community-building, Wil plays a vital role in ensuring participants feel safe, supported, and empowered during their time on campus and works closely with Leadership team to uphold the integrity and spirit of the programs.  Wil is also currently pursuing his Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University, further deepening his knowledge and expanding his capacity to serve through education and leadership. His work is grounded in respect, relationality, and the belief that meaningful cultural exchange, informed by wise practices and right relations, can transform individuals and communities alike.

Elly Grant (she/her) is a dynamic arts administrator, program coordinator, and multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges creative practice and community engagement. A graduate of Quest University Canada with a Master’s in Art Education from NSCAD University, Elly brings a thoughtful, experimental approach to arts programming and cultural production. Her curatorial and project management experience spans a range of institutions and initiatives, including Temporary Collection, Guelph Arts Council, Nelson Museum Archives and Gallery, Parks Canada, the Junction Artist-in-Residence Program, Ed Video Media Arts Centre, Textile Museum of Canada, and the University of Guelph. Elly also runs Double Dipped, an upcycled clothing venture where she designs and handcrafts custom garments, merging sustainability with style. Elly is passionate about reimagining arts programming and administration as a form of creative inquiry, as she actively explores the intersections of art, collaboration, and place-making through innovative, community-rooted projects

Jennifer Qu (she/her) is an artist and arts administrator with a background in events and communications. With roots in Toronto, she is now based in Banff, where she works as a Program Delivery Specialist with the Leadership team at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She holds a BFA in Photography and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management. Most recently, she worked with The Bentway Conservancy, supporting the production of community events and large-scale arts programs. With over five years of experience in Canada’s not-for-profit arts sector, Jennifer is passionate about supporting artists and building community through an accessible lens.