Nicole Rempel, Chief Councillor
Nicole is the daughter of Kelly Davis and Daniel Rempel, the granddaughter of Joan and Dave Davis. Nicole is a member of the Frank and Mitchell families and is proudly Sathloot, Säsitla and Pentlatch. Her traditional name is Malidi. Nicole grew up on the K’ómoks reserve and has a home in the community still.
Nicole was first elected to serve as Elected Chief in 2017 and served three consecutive terms. During those terms she held a number of portfolios for the Nation, including Housing, Lands, Forestry, Economic Development, Culture, Communications, Administration, Governance and Finance. Nicole previously worked for the Nation writing the KFN Land Code and simultaneously attended the University of Saskatchewan for Indigenous Peoples Land and Resource Management. She has been a parliamentary witness for the Department of Justice and a guest speaker across Canada and to the North on the issues around recognition of Indigenous Law. In 2023, she moved to work with the Provincial government in the Forestry Ministry before moving to the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation as a Senior Negotiations Analyst.
Nicole is the proud mother of two adult children, Jonathan and Jennifer, and two cats. Outside of her role in leadership, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and her partner, cooking, fishing, traveling, camping, exploring the island and the amazing waterfalls and beaches we have on the island. Nicole is passionate about K’ómoks history, languages and culture and is a cedar weaver. Learning more about her language, culture and traditional practises is a life-long goal.
Nicole is honoured to have been elected to serve a fourth term as the Elected Chief Councillor for the Nation. Her portfolios include Governance and Finance, Infrastructure, Language and Culture, Foresty, Communications and is the alternate for Housing, Lands and Fish and Aquaculture. Nicole looks forward to working with her fellow Council members to represent and advocate for all members of KFN, for our rights and for our future. Nicole brings a vision of equality and strong leadership to guide the Nation toward a bright future.
Richard Hardy, Councillor
My name is Richard Stewart Hardy. My traditional K’ómoks name is “Namugwis”. I am the son of Stewart and Shannon Hardy. I am proud to be a descendent of both the Frank and Hardy families. I am currently a K’ómoks Councillor and Area B Director for the Comox Valley Regional District. Further, I have recently been selected and provided the volunteer position of Honorary Colonel at 407 Squadron at 19 Wing Comox.
From 2019 to 2023, I served as a K’ómoks Councillor and held portfolios such as fish, fiscal, forestry, governance, water, infrastructure, and culture/heritage. Prior to my time on council, I was the General Manager of the K’ómoks First Nation’s shellfish aquaculture company Pentlatch Seafoods Ltd (PSL).
Over the years, I have volunteered on boards such as the Comox Valley Airport Commission, the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS), and the British Columbia Shellfish Growers Association. I have also been fortunate enough to work with great K’ómoks and Pentlatch Seafoods teams to achieve the following accomplishments for our Nation:
2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation Award for Environmental Stewardship & Resource Management.
2012 BC Achievement Foundation Award presented by Minister Ida Chong for Aboriginal owned/operated business.
2008 MISTIC Science and Innovation Award for Shellfish Aquaculture.
2007 British Columbia Shellfish Grower’s Business of the Year Award
2005 Town of Comox Community Service Award
In his current term, Richard’s council portfolios include Fisheries and Aquaculture, Housing, and Infrastructure.
Candace Newman, Councillor
Candace is the daughter of Cherie and Steve Newman, granddaughter of Ann-Marie Hardy, and is Säsitla.
Over the last decade, Candace has focused her time on exploring and caring for the environment – from kayaking, hiking and paddleboarding to bear watching and wildlife touring throughout the BC Coast and into southeast Alaska. Her most recent roles with the Nation have brought her focus back to her homelands; first as a Guardian Watchman and then as an Archaeology Referrals Coordinator, protecting K’ómoks Cultural Heritage sites and reviewing archaeology related project referrals. Her adventures have brought her to many beautiful places on the coast and have continually strengthened her dedication to care for our lands and waters.
In her spare time, Candace enjoys sewing, cooking, and gardening, and of course, adventuring. She recently moved back to the reserve and is incredibly happy to be back in the community.
Candace is serving her second term as a Councillor for K’ómoks and does not take this responsibility lightly. Her council portfolios include Lands and Natural Resources, Education, and Emergency Planning. She is looking forward to working together with her fellow council members and the community to ensure all families are included.
Susan Savoie, Councillor
Susan is a descendant of the Frank clan. Her maternal grandparents were James Wilson of Wei Wai Kai and Irene Wilson (nee Frank) of Church House (Orford Bay). Her paternal grandparents were Earnest Savoie (from Neguac, NB) and Margaret Savoie (nee Leblanc). Her parents are Yvon Savoie and Connie Savoie (nee Wilson), who passed in 2009.
Spending her early childhood in Campbell River, Susan has fond memories of visiting K’ómoks until she moved here to be closer to family. Since 1997, Susan has been married to Efren Velos, who travelled from the Philippines to settle here in Canada. They have two amazing children, Madison and Zeb.
Susan’s professional background is diverse. Her training as a Red Seal chef allowed her to travel and work abroad for many years. She has been a business owner and an early childhood educator. She has also held several KFN Administration coordinator positions, including the Youth, Social Development and Elders portfolios. Working for the Nation has been one of her greatest rewards, and has shown her that the employees are passionate, dedicated, hard working people who want to do their best for the Nation.
Excited and humbled to have been elected to Council, Susan resolves to be herself and to remember how she was raised. Her grandmother was the first woman to be elected Chief Councillor of K’ómoks. Although she had minimal formal education, her grandmother had wisdom and experience, and she carried her role with great strength.
In her second term, Susan is taking on the council portfolio for the Nation’s Community Services, including Health, Youth, Elders, and Social Development, as well as joint representation on the Education portfolio. Susan’s efforts are for the people: she relishes the chance to help the community build trust in this council; to put the community first while building prosperity.
Chief and Council Roles and Responsibilities
Chief and Council Strategic Plan