Yvonne Rigsby Jones

Class Elder
Community Capacity Building

Yvonne Rigsby Jones is Snuneymuxw First Nation, Coast Salish: a sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Yvonne dedicated 29 years of her professional life to leading Tsow-Tun Le Lum Treatment Centre until she retired in June 2015. She has continued to be active in her work. She currently acts as an ambassador for Reconciliation Canada and facilitates healing workshops on a contract basis. She is also a member of the governing council for the MSW Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency Program, University of Toronto.

While at Tsow-Tun Le Lum, she worked with a proactive board of directors to develop leading-edge treatment practices, including pioneering work in residential school trauma healing. In addition to providing sound management, she engaged people as individuals through care and compassion. When she retired, the organization had largely become a reflection of her own character and commitment. Over her career, she has participated on many regional and national committees, enriching both her life and work.

Yvonne understands traditional practices and ceremony are the way home for many of our wounded people. She has listened, encouraged, challenged and led. She believes in compassion because compassion works.