Indigenous Education Council | Sooke School District

The Indigenous Education Council plays an essential role in helping improve education for Indigenous students. The council works closely with schools, communities, and the district to make sure that Indigenous culture, languages, and perspectives are respected and included in what students learn. They also help guide decisions about programs, support services, and resources to help Indigenous students succeed.

Individual Member Biographies

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Tara Jensen is a proud member of the Nicomen First Nation, part of the Nlaka'pamux communities. She resides on the Traditional
Territory of the T’Sou-ke First Nation and has worked for a total of five years with the Nation. Her deep connection to the T’Sou-ke community is enriched through family ties, as both her grandmother and mother are married to T’Sou-ke Nation members.
Tara has actively participated in cultural initiatives such as Culture Nights, Tribal Journeys, and collaborative work with the T’Sou-ke Arts Group (TAG). For a decade, she served as a foster parent to First Nations children through MCFD, Surrounded by Cedar and NIL TU,O Child and Family Services.
She is a proud mother and grandmother who deeply cherishes her son and 4-year-old grandson. Tara is honored to support the success of Indigenous students through her role on the IEC Board.
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Miranda Metge is the representative for SC’IȺNEW. She is currently the Community Support Worker and Band Designate. She offers
mental health, substance-use, and harm reduction support, while also working with the community to attain wellness goals, navigate external systems and access support services. She hosts 1:1 support hours, both online and in-person.
Miranda holds a Diploma in Community, Family, and Child Studies from Camosun College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Child & Youth Care from the University of Victoria. Prior to joining SC’IȺNEW, she worked in youth outreach, community programming, housing, mental health, overdose prevention, and crisis intervention.
When not at work, Miranda loves hanging out with her dog, being outside, connecting with her community, and learning new things.
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Brandon Labbey-Krejci represents M’akola Housing Society and sits on the Indigenous Education Council as one of the non-local Nation members. He has Kwakiutl and Tlingit Indigenous ancestry and Austrian, French, and English settler ancestry. Brandon has a strong passion for education. Attending UVic, with the intent to teach Indigenous Studies at the high school level after graduating, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and Indigenous Studies. He has taught abroad spending a year in Seoul, South Korea to teach English as a Second Language. He currently works with M’akola Housing Society to help provide safe and affordable homes across the province, primarily for Indigenous individuals, couples, and families.
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My name is Julia Clifton. I am Gitxsan (mother) & Tsimpshian (father). Culturally I follow a matrilineal system and belong to the House
of "Yell". I was born and raised on the North Coast of British Columbia. I grew up in the village of Port Edward, located approximately 15 minutes from Prince Rupert, BC.

I have had the pleasure and opportunity to live, work, and play on Coast Salish Territory for the past 20 years with my partner, children & family.

As an Indigenous woman with 2 children, I can relate to the challenges faced by many Indigenous families who live in Urban settings as they closely mirror my own lived experiences. I know how important it is to be closely connected to family and culture. I am extremely honored to be a part of the Indigenous Education Council for the Sooke School District as one of the Urban representatives, as we strive to empower and advocate for our children and families with in the public school system.