Empowering Indigenous communities through trauma-informed wellness, cultural revitalization, and land-based healing programs that restore balance, reclaim identity, and strengthen collective resilience.
By embracing culture and connection to land and place, advocating for justice, promoting holistic wellness, and empowering youth, we commit to fostering resilient, vibrant, and thriving communities for generations to come.
Who We Are
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CO-FounderVina Brown (ƛ̓áqvas gḷ́w̓aqs – Copper Canoe Woman) is a Haíɫzaqv and Nuu-chah-nulth scholar, cultural entrepreneur, and wellness advocate. She is the Co-Founder, Board President, and Co-Executive Director of Rooted Resiliency, an Indigenous women-led nonprofit dedicated to trauma-informed healing, cultural revitalization, and holistic wellness.
Raised in her Haíɫzaqv homelands, Vina has spent her life immersed in ceremony, potlatch, and land-based teachings, which shape her approach to leadership and healing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and Leadership from Northwest Indian College, a Master of Jurisprudence in Indigenous Law from the University of Tulsa, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Indigenous Studies from the University of Alaska. Her doctoral research, titled Bákvḷá: A Holistic Approach to Haíɫzaqv Food Security, Sovereignty, and Wellness, explores the interconnection between art, governance, land, and Indigenous well-being.
In addition to her leadership at Rooted Resiliency, Vina is the founder of Copper Canoe Woman, a jewelry and design brand rooted in ancestral knowledge and Indigenous futurism. She is a certified yoga instructor and wellness facilitator who leads trauma-informed programs rooted in movement, plant medicine, and cultural reconnection. Her work centers Indigenous sovereignty, community wellness, and the reclamation of identity.
Vina's leadership is grounded in love for her people, a deep respect for land and language, and an unwavering belief in the brilliance and resilience of Indigenous communities.
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BOARD MEMBERSamantha Wilson is an enrolled member of the Lummi Nation, a devoted mother, artist, and powerful advocate for Indigenous wellness. She serves as the Operations Manager at Copper Canoe Woman, where she supports the growth of Indigenous-led art and entrepreneurship. Samantha is also a certified wellness trainer and group fitness instructor at the Lummi Fitness Centre, where she uplifts her community through movement, strength, and care.
A proud graduate of Haskell Indian Nations University, she holds an Associate’s Degree and brings both lived experience and academic insight to her leadership. As a board member of Rooted Resiliency, Samantha brings her passion for health, culture, and community together—helping to guide trauma-informed and culturally grounded programming. She is a multi-talented Indigenous woman who leads with heart, purpose, and power.
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BOARD MEMBERSharon Kinley is a respected Lummi Nation Elder, cultural historian, and educator whose life’s work is dedicated to preserving and uplifting Coast Salish knowledge systems. She serves as the Director of the Coast Salish Institute and is the curriculum developer and founder of the Native Studies Leadership Program at Northwest Indian College, where she has mentored generations of Indigenous students in culturally grounded leadership.
As a historian and knowledge keeper, Sharon plays a vital role in supporting Lummi people with historical and cultural research that strengthens identity, sovereignty, and self-determination. Her deep commitment to community, education, and cultural continuity shapes her leadership as a board member of Rooted Resiliency, where she helps guide programs that honor Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Sharon’s presence is foundational—bridging past, present, and future through love, language, and legacy.
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CO-FOUNDER
Anna Leigh Brady, a vibrant member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, brings character to her role as Lummi Nation Fitness Center manager. Armed with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Wellness and a decade of experience, she excels in movement coaching. Certified in Personal Training, Fitness Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning, and Exercise Therapy, Anna is also a passionate 500 hr Registered Yoga Teacher, delving into the intricacies of movement and trauma-informed practices. Her journey embodies expertise, cultural richness, and a deep commitment to holistic well-being.
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Board Member-
Q̓átuw̓as (pronounced Gahtuwos) is proud of her Haíɫzaqv and Nuučaan̓uł ancestry that continues to ground her in her work with language and cultural revitalization, as well as climate action advocacy. She has a diverse set of skills that integrates language learning with breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma. She has proven experience in creating brave spaces from teaching in classrooms across the province to leading Haíɫzaqvḷa movement and meditation classes. She is passionate about healing justice where she finds her work intersects through reclaiming energy, land, and body sovereignty.
Q̓átuw̓as is honoured to be a part of the Haíɫzaqv Climate Action Team as the Communications Manger. Her role is based on educating and engaging with the Haíɫzaqv community to ensure ownership of their collective climate action work, ‘climate solutions for and by Haíɫzaqv people’.
’Qátuw̓as holds a degree in Environmental and Indigenous Studies from the University of Victoria. She has successfully completed the 80 Hour First Nations Women's Yoga Initiative in 2021 being trained to offer culturally-responsive and trauma-informed yoga programs in community, as well the 200 Hour Yoga Outreach Certification Program being trained through a social justice lens on how yoga supports equity, inclusion, and community care within a class, and out in the world. Q̓átuw̓as actively ties in Haíɫzaqvḷa and culture to all her classes and spaces she enters. She brings all the gifts her teachers have actively poured into her. She has been blessed to work and learn in many language spaces within the community such as Haíɫzaqvḷa Teacher at the q̓áq̓úƛ̓ilas qṇ qṇts sásṃ̓ṇix̌v (house of learning for our young children), ongoing one-on-one Haíɫzaqv language mentorship with ǧáǧṃ̓ (grandmother) Kvíkvṇ̓áx̌nux̌v Margaret Brown since 2019, and received a certificate in Haíɫzaqvḷa Proficiency: spending a year in full-time studies of Haíɫzaqvḷa with the adult immersion program.
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BOARD TREASURERNaas Q̓iis Q̓iisat (A Light Which Transforms in a Good Way) is a respected Nuu-chah-nulth leader, healer, and advocate who has dedicated her life to supporting Indigenous individuals, families, and communities through culturally grounded mental health, recreation, and healing programs. With decades of experience across health, education, and community service, she brings wisdom, compassion, and strength to every role she holds.
Over the course of her career, she has served as the Native Recreation Coordinator for the City of Nanaimo, Program Coordinator at Tillicum Lelum Friendship Centre, and Aboriginal Counsellor at John Barsby Secondary School, where she supported urban Indigenous youth and families. As Urban Coordinator for the NCN Healing Project, she worked closely with Residential School survivors and their families living away from home, offering culturally safe pathways to healing.
Her leadership continued through her work with Vigold and Associates Consulting, Teechuktl Mental Health (Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council) as a Mental Health Manager, and NuuVisions Consulting, where she continues to lead community-based healing work rooted in Indigenous values and sovereignty.
Naas Q̓iis Q̓iisat is known not only for her professional expertise, but for her fierce heart, cultural teachings, and unwavering commitment to collective healing and transformation.
Our Story
Rooted Resiliency was founded by Vina Brown and Anna Leigh Brady, two Indigenous women deeply committed to reclaiming wellness through culture, tradition, and community care. United by a vision to create a space where Indigenous knowledge systems and holistic healing practices could thrive, they built Rooted Resiliency as a response to the urgent need for trauma-informed, culturally grounded wellness rooted in ancestral teachings.
Our work is inspired by the strength of our elders, artists, and knowledge keepers—and by the transformative power of potlatches, spiritual gatherings, and ceremonies that have carried our Nations through generations. These collective practices affirmed our belief that healing is not only personal but deeply communal. Rooted Resiliency exists to honor these teachings, pass them on to future generations, and create safe, empowering spaces for Indigenous people to remember who they are.
We are grounded in trauma-informed care and holistic practices that meet people where they are, supporting individuals and communities as they reconnect to land, language, identity, and one another. We collaborate with local partners such as Lummi Victims of Crime, Northwest Indian College, and the Indigenous Yoga Collective to expand our impact and ensure our programs remain responsive to community needs.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Rooted Resiliency offers programming in cultural arts, movement and meditation, traditional foods and medicines, and language reclamation—all grounded in the belief that Indigenous people possess the wisdom to heal themselves and one another.
Join us in building a future where Indigenous communities thrive, rooted in culture, guided by tradition, and resilient in the face of all that we carry.
Our Purpose
Rooted Resiliency is dedicated to fostering empowerment and wellness among Indigenous individuals and communities, centering the voices, traditions, and knowledge of our people. We strive to create safe and nurturing spaces that honor Indigenous cultural practices and promote holistic well-being, resilience, and leadership. Through our programs, retreats, and community initiatives, we aim to inspire and support Indigenous participants, providing them with the tools and resources needed to thrive in their personal and communal lives. Rooted Resiliency is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous and other marginalized communities, advocating for their rights, and celebrating their strengths, resilience, and contributions.
How We Make An Impact
Movement for All
Trauma-Informed Yoga and Meditation: Offering programs that cater to physical and mental wellness.
Somatic Healing and Movement: Encouraging bodily awareness and healing through movement.
Holistic Wellness Workshops: Utilizing Indigenous, Eastern, and Western methodologies for comprehensive wellness.
Education and Knowledge
Language Revitalization: Training for language teachers and trainers, using trauma-informed and holistic healing methodologies.
Intergenerational Transference of Knowledge: Encouraging the sharing of wisdom between elders and youth.
Train-the-trainers in the following topics: cultural arts, entrepreneurship, cultural grief and loss, coaching, and trauma-informed approaches
Indigenous Yoga Teacher 200h Certificate - Collaboration between Indigenous Yoga Collective and Rooted Resiliency
Cultural Connections
Traditional Food Workshops: Connecting community members with ancestral diets and practices.
Traditional Plants and Medicines: Supporting the continuation of traditional plant knowledge among Indigenous communities
Cultural and Modern Arts: Including traditional, contemporary, and futuristic arts workshops to strengthen identity, constitution of culture and story.
Tribal Canoe Journeys: Promoting cultural and physical wellness through participating in the annual Tribal Canoe Journey
Cultural Arts
Revitalizing Traditional Art Forms: Hosting workshops in weaving, formline design, beading, and other ancestral arts to keep Indigenous traditions thriving.
Intergenerational Learning: Creating spaces for Elders, artists, and youth to share skills, teachings, and cultural knowledge through hands-on experiences.
Copper Artist Collective: Supporting Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island with a community-focused network that fosters collaboration, growth, and visibility.
Artist Development & Mentorship: Providing guidance, mentorship, and training to empower both emerging and established artists in their creative and entrepreneurial journeys.
Cultural & Economic Empowerment: Creating income opportunities for Indigenous artists through an upcoming online store and physical retail space on the Lummi Reservation.
Community Expression & Healing: Centering art as a tool for storytelling, healing, and cultural pride—reconnecting artists and community members to identity, land, and tradition.
Youth Empowerment
Sports Programs (e.g., Basketball Camps):** Promoting teamwork, physical health, and leadership.
Youth Empowerment Workshops:** Focusing on self-esteem, cultural empowerment, and creating spaces for youth to be heard and seen.
Empowering 2 Spirit Youth: Cultivating inclusive, place-based wellness spaces for LGBTQ+2S youth and community members.
Rites of Passage Reclamation and Ceremony: Supporting families and Indigenous youth with this important ceremony.
Community Support and Advocacy
Justice Initiatives: Addressing social, socioeconomic, body, and financial justice through targeted programs.
Financial Literacy Workshops: Enhancing community members' understanding of finance, fundraising, and economic empowerment.
Supporting Indigenous Children in Care: Programming to build connection to culture and community.
Family Healing and Reconnection: Offering resources for family empowerment and unity.
Cross-Cultural Offerings: Workshops on land acknowledgment, allyship, cultural sensitivity training and cultural education.
Elders Programming: Tailoring offerings to include food plants, somatic movement, and self-care, emphasizing elder inclusion.
Rest, Restorative, and Self-care Workshops
