SPOT-SDELḴ Society is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors committed to improving healthcare access for the Saanich Peninsula community. Our seven-member board includes strong representation from local First Nations, ensuring Indigenous voices and perspectives are at the heart of our mission. Together, we work to support equitable, inclusive, and compassionate care for those most in need.
Saanich Peninsula Outreach Team (SPOT)
2170 Mt Newton Cross Rd
Saanichton, BC
V8M 2B2
Phone: 778-312-3535
Fax: 1-778-372-9857
We gratefully acknowledge the W̱SÁNEĆ people as the traditional keepers of these lands upon which we work.
EMR & Patient Booking Powered by:
Saanich Peninsula
Outreach Team (SPOT)
2170 Mt Newton Cross Rd
Saanichton, BC
V8M 2B2
Phone: 778-312-3535
Fax: 1-778-372-9857
We gratefully acknowledge the W̱SÁNEĆ people as the traditional keepers of these lands upon which we work.
EMR & Patient Booking Powered by:
Board Chair
Mavis Underwood is one of 16 children of George and Geraldine Underwood of SȾÁUTW̱, Tsawout community in the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation. Growing up, Mavis enjoyed local public school education and participated in local sports, particularly softball, soccer, and basketball. Traveling to First Nations competitions with her six sisters was a great source of joy and lasting memories.
Mavis pursued post-secondary education at Camosun College in 1974 and continued at the University of Victoria, earning a B.A. in Child and Youth Care in 1978, a B.C. Teacher’s Certification in 1980, a Sexual Abuse Counsellor’s Certification in 1984, a Master’s degree in Indigenous Governance in May 2018, and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Victoria.
Mavis takes great pride in her two daughters, Josephine and Geraldine Henry, and enjoys her role as a grandmother to Geraldine’s daughter, Grace. Josephine is a teacher of SENĆOŦEN at ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ School, while Geraldine is deeply involved in Grace’s soccer development, raising Boston Terriers, and working in social services.
Mavis’ career has been rich and varied, focusing on contributing to First Nations social change and betterment. In 1975, she became the first Tutor Advocate for First Nations learners in S.D. 63 and in the province. She later became a certified teacher, instructing First Nations Studies, Learning Assistance, Counselling, and Social Studies at Stelly’s School. More recently, she has worked in First Nations child and family services, serving as the first Aboriginal Deputy Director for B.C. and later as the Executive Director of NIȽ/TU,O Child and Family Services. Her work has come full circle, bringing her back to the community to help mobilize strong volunteerism, local business engagement, and government support for Tsawout W̱SÁNEĆ, particularly in hosting the 39th Annual B.C. Elders Gathering in 2015, which was centered at Panorama Leisure Centre.
Mavis continues to serve the SȾÁUTW̱ community with a focus on health, housing, social development, and education. As part of the Tsawout Big House Committee, she contributed to the completion of the community Big House, which serves as an anchor for W̱SÁNEĆ cultural continuity and life enrichment.
Her achievements have been recognized with a Derek Thomson Award for contributions to social policy change, a Woman of Distinction Award for Community Leadership, a Canada 125 Medal, and a 2025 King’s Coronation Medal. Volunteerism is deeply embedded in her family teachings, emphasizing the importance of helping where one can. Her volunteer experience includes mentoring in housing, education, social work, and social planning. Her most recent service was through a B.C. appointment to the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., where she contributed to building opportunities for Indigenous First Nations to address climate action through habitat restoration, traditional knowledge revitalization and transmission, and environmental stewardship, aligning with UNDRIP and Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.
Mavis’ work and community involvement are rooted in the influences of her First Nations grandparents, parents, and many Indigenous leaders who provided encouragement and role modelling for traditional values of compassion, hard work, and helpfulness.
Treasurer
Rick Healey moved to Vancouver Island 18 months ago after spending his career in Alberta, working in Accounting and Administration for over 35 years. He and his late wife had always planned to retire on the island to be closer to their daughter, who moved there for university and decided to stay.
A few years ago, his wife passed away unexpectedly. After retiring, he relocated with his new partner to be near his daughter. His late wife was a dedicated teacher who spent her career working with Indigenous children, building strong relationships within the community. She valued the connections she made, and the community welcomed her in return.
When Rick had the chance to support the outreach team, he was glad to get involved. He sees it as a way to stay engaged and contribute in a meaningful way, knowing his wife would appreciate his efforts to stay connected to a community that was important to their family.
Secretary
Myrna Crossley is a cultural educator, Coast Salish weaver, and community advocate. A member of the Songhees Nation of the Lekwungen-speaking people, she has lived on the Tsartlip Reserve since 1990, where she raised her family in a community rich with art, language, and traditions. Her deep connection to plants, nature, and Salish weaving has shaped her life’s work.
Myrna has been weaving since 1993 under the mentorship of Master Weaver Rita Louis Bob, refining her skills in design, natural dyeing, and traditional techniques. She follows cultural protocols in her practice, incorporating prayers, smudging, and gratitude for the materials she works with. As a lifelong student of Salish weaving, she continuously learns from elders, mentors, plants, and wool itself.
In addition to weaving, Myrna has spent years supporting Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural preservation. She coordinated the Tsartlip Garden Program, assisting community members in maintaining backyard gardens and organizing workshops on Indigenous plant knowledge, food preservation, and sustainable agriculture. Her belief that food is medicine is deeply rooted in her upbringing and guides her work.
Myrna has also provided administrative support for the late Master Carver Charles Elliott’s art business, managing art history records, proposals, and event coordination. Her efforts in organizing art exhibitions and mentoring emerging artists have helped preserve and promote Coast Salish art traditions.
A committed educator, Myrna now teaches weaving and traditional knowledge, passing on cultural teachings to future generations. She remains grateful to the knowledge keepers and mentors who have guided her journey and is honored to share her skills and wisdom with others.
Director
J,SIṈTEN (John Elliot) is a respected Elder from the W̱JOȽEȽP Tsartlip First Nation and a member of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation on Vancouver Island. As Chairman of the Saanich Native Heritage Society, he has played a key role in preserving and revitalizing the SENĆOŦEN language. He is a historian, mentor, language warrior, and traditional knowledge keeper.
For over 40 years, he taught at the ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ Tribal School, immersing students in the SENĆOŦEN language. He now teaches adult students through UVic and the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board. He taught a Languages and the Land course at Camosun College for six years and is presently co-teaching the 159 W̱,SENĆOŦENISTW̱ course at the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board for UVic.
J,SIṈTEN is also working with the SȾÁSEN TŦE SENĆOŦEN Elder Working Committee to translate stories and legends into SENĆOŦEN for future educational resource materials for the LE,NOṈET SCUL,ÁUTW̱ teachers and students in the W̱SÁNEĆ Leaders SCUL,ÁUTW̱. Additionally, he provides language advisory work with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council.
J,SIṈTEN has worked to integrate technology into Indigenous language education. In 1999, he began using digital video and computers as teaching tools, leading to the development of a multimedia authoring suite for Indigenous language instruction. This work contributed to the creation of FirstVoices, a web-based Aboriginal language resource supporting language archiving, teaching, and cultural preservation (www.firstvoices.com).
His contributions have been widely recognized, including the University of Victoria Community Leadership Award in 2002. In 2019, he received an Honorary Doctor of Education degree from the University of Victoria. He has shared his knowledge through technology-based conference presentations across Canada and the United States.
Director
Qwa’chil’tunaat – Sharon Henry is a Pauquachin member who has over 25 years experience as a certified home care aide, working in the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations. She has a love and passion for her work as a care aide for the community. Her professional work as a community caregiver is her love as she helps individuals who are diagnosed with illness, chronic disease care, elder care, and palliative care. She is an advocate and voice for her community and those who cannot voice their concerns about healthcare services. Sharon is active in her community both culturally and spiritually and loves her family, children, and grandchildren.
Director
Gwen Underwood carries her great, great, great grandmother’s name, ĆAYSEMOT (pronounced CHAYSEMOT) from her maternal side of the family, given to her by her late Grandmother Elsie Claxton. Gwen holds a Coordinator position with the Saanich First Nations Adult Care Society that cares for elders, and adults with chronic medical conditions and has worked in management positions with the Tsawout First Nation lands, and on a provincial basis with the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability, and the First Peoples Cultural Foundation. She served 6 years on Tsawout Council with her portfolios being health, lands, and education. Her knowledge and experience in working with and advocating for First Nations with disabilities and chronic medical conditions supports the SPOT/SDELḴ mandate. She is a proud mum, wife, and loves her W̱SÁNEĆ community and family.
Director
Emily Olsen is passionate about storytelling as a way to connect people, finding joy in both her creative pursuits and her family life on Vancouver Island, where she lives in W̱SÁNEĆ Territory with her husband and two children.
A graduate of the Simon Fraser University Writers Studio Program, she founded The Connection Project in 2018, serving as Artistic Director and Speaker Coach for its annual mental health storytelling event. Emily received the Island Health’s 2023 Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Community Service Award for her work making a difference in the lives of people with mental health and substance use challenges.
Her documentary work includes Loving the Darkness and the 2024 film I, ŚETEṈ E TŦE ĆESE ŚX̱ENÁṈs TEṈEW̱ – Walking in Two Worlds, which tells the history of the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board. With over two decades of leadership and management experience, Emily works in Human Resources at the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board and facilitates Cultivating Safe Spaces training, focusing on dismantling colonial influences and driving meaningful, lasting change.
Emily is honoured to support SPOT-SDELḴ through community connections, assisting with organizational details, and supporting from her areas of expertise.
