Janine Sampson, M.A., M.Ed. Counseling
Janine Sampson is a Dakelh and Wet’suwet’en woman raised in Stellaquo, B.C. by her family and extended community. Janine comes from families that practice their culture through the traditional governance system (Bahlats). She has spent many seasons fishing and berry-picking within their traditional territory.
Janine holds both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) in First Nations Studies. Her Master’s thesis, Experiences of Running: One Dakelh Woman’s Message of Transformation and Resilience, explores Janine’s personal journey through grief, loss, and trauma using running to cope and begin the healing process.
Throughout her career, Janine’s professional experience spans event planning, reconciliation seminars, proposal writing, oral history research with First Nations Elders and Traditional Land Users, community engagement to assist First Nations in community-based decision-making and community-developed policy, and fostering collaboration between First Nations, industry, and government.
In 2022, Janine completed a Master of Education in Counseling (M.Ed) from the University of Northern British Columbia. Her work is rooted in a deep understanding of the need for healing and understanding at all levels. Janine is a worthy woman who sees forgiveness everywhere, sharing her love and joy to empower others to freely express themselves.
Richard Sampson, M.Ed. Counseling
Richard Sampson is Gitxsan and grew up in Gitanmaax, B.C., surrounded by a culturally rich family. Early in his career, Richard worked as a youth worker for the Gitanmaax Band and later at the Hazelton sawmills before their closure.
At 28 years old, Richard chose to pursue higher education in Prince George, earning a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in First Nations Studies. In 2019, he completed a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling at the University of Northern British Columbia.
Richard’s mission in life is to advance self-determination for all Indigenous peoples in Canada. This guiding vision has led him to various impactful roles across Northern B.C., including proposal writing, communications, post-secondary student recruitment, suicide prevention, and therapeutic counseling. Facilitating gatherings remains one of the most enriching aspects of Richard’s life’s work.
With extensive experience in crisis intervention and 1-on-1 counseling, Richard is an open and peaceful man skilled in helping others uncover and nurture their “seeds of greatness.”