Minnabarriet - Master Class 3 Facilitator
Dr. Verna Billy-Minnabarriet is a member Secwepemc Nation, of the St'uxwtews (Bonaparte Indian Band), Cache Creek, B.C.
Verna completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree Program at Simon Fraser University with a Joint Major in Sociology and Anthropology in 1994. In 1996, she completed her Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Community Economic Development and in 1998, Verna completed a Master’s Degree in Arts Education and was conferred her Doctorate in Aboriginal Education Leadership at University British Columbia in 2012.
Currently, Verna is the Vice President at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) located at the campus in Burnaby, BC. Previously, Verna was the Dean of Academics, an instructor for NVIT (Merritt campus and Community based programming), trainer for Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations, and was instrumental in the Native Adult Instructors Diploma Program, where she also assisted in the design, development, implementation, and instruction of the program.
Verna has had the opportunity to work with many educators, institutions and Aboriginal leaders throughout her career. Most of her employment history reflects her passion in administration, management and education. Her expertise as a contractor, businessperson, educator and professional has led her to represent many Aboriginal organizations at all levels of Government.
She is a strong believer in "Community based education, Community Economic Development" and the "empowerment" and “strengthening” of Aboriginal peoples through healing, education and training.