Our Team

Sharon Hobenshield,
Director, Aboriginal Education

Sharon Hobenshield is from the Gitxsan First Nations on her mother’s side and her father is of German ancestry. She has a B.A., B.S.W. and a Master’s of Education in the area of curriculum development. She has worked in the field of social services and education, working and teaching with both urban and rural Aboriginal communities throughout the province of BC. Sharon is married and has twin girls who are 8 years old. She believes strongly in the spirit and resiliency of Aboriginal people and promotes that Aboriginal ways of knowing and being in this world, have to be built into program development and service delivery in education.

Sylvia Scow,
Associate Director, Aboriginal Education

Sylvia Scow is slavey from the Dene Nation. Her home community is Liidli Koe (Fort Simpson), Northwest Territories. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Anthropology from the University of Victoria. In June 2000, she completed her Masters of Arts in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. Sylvia is married with two children and has worked in post-secondary education since 1991.

Karen Baxter,
Administrative Assistant, Aboriginal Education/Human Rights

Karen Baxter is from the Gitxsan First Nations and is a Kispiox Band member.  Not growing up in her birth family, Karen has always been interested in the First Nation/Canadian relationship which led her to take the Bachelor of Arts First Nations at Malaspina University-College.  Karen believes in life long learning and enjoys her position in Student Services Vancouver Island University. Karen is married and has three children.

left to right - Sylvia Scow, Sharon Hobenshield and Karen Baxter

(Picture taken at Gathering Place Ground Blessing)