Shannon is the Chief Operating Officer for Yinka Dene Economic Development General Partner (YLP) and member of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Shannon has completed her Business Administration Degree with a focus in Human Resources (HR) in December 2012. Along with her HR background, she has held leadership positions within her community of Wet’suwet’en First Nation (WFN), as well as the Carrier Sekani Family Services board and Saik’uz First Nation where she was the Operations Manager. While her primary focus is in HRM, her skill set is balanced out by successful work experience with the Northern First Nation communities, including management, leadership, communication, social marketing, event planning and philanthropy. Shannon remains committed to the meaningful and lasting improvement of her community and those around it.

Paul is a Registered Forest Technologist (RFT retired) with the Association of BC Forest Professionals.  In his forestry career, he has worked in northwest Ontario, northern Alberta, and northern British Columbia.  In Fort Nelson, BC he worked in various positions for Slocan Forest Products and Canfor including Logging Superintendent and Area Supervisor for nine years.  Paul was also, briefly, a part owner in a large logging and hauling company in Fort Nelson where he supervised the forest operations and log hauling.  When the mills closed in Fort Nelson, he worked for 9 years with Kledo Construction Ltd as their Health and Safety Coordinator before retiring. In 2017, Paul and his wife, Joan, retired to Burns Lake and have a home on Babine Lake where they can enjoy the natural beauty of the area forests and lakes.

Duane Crouse was born and raised in Burns Lake. Duane was exposed to forestry at a very young age where his family owned and operated a woodlot north west of Francios Lake. Duane has spent the last 17 years working as a first aid level 3 attended and a red seal heavy duty mechanic. July 15, 2019 Duane was appointed to the Chinook Community Forest board on behalf of Lake Babine Nation. Duane looks forward to working with other board members.