Message from Gitwangak Chief and Council: Welcoming Our New Chief Operating Officer Ama hiihluxw Gitwangak, Chief and Council are pleased to welcome Jason Wong home as the new Chief Operating Officer for Gitwangak First Nation. This is a hopeful time for our community. Important work is underway in housing, Gitwangak West Secondary School, community planning, economic development, member communication, and building stronger internal capacity. These priorities require focus, follow-through, and a shared commitment to positive change. Jason brings the education, experience, and calm leadership needed to help move these mandates forward. He has a strong background in governance, finance, administration, capital planning, economic development, and organizational change. We have confidence in his ability to support staff, strengthen operations, and help turn Council direction into action. The COO role is an important link between Chief and Council’s decisions and the daily work of administration. With clear direction and teamwork, we believe this role will help Gitwangak build stronger services, better systems, and greater trust with members. We invite the community to join us in welcoming Jason home. Please take a moment to say hello, share encouragement, and support him as he begins this work with Gitwangak. We look forward to what we will accomplish together. On behalf of Chief and Council, Professional Bio: Jason Wong Jason Wong is a Gitwangak citizen and a seasoned Indigenous executive with 30 years of experience in finance, governance, and organizational leadership. His work is grounded in Gitksan values, strong accountability to community, and a deep commitment to Nation-building. Jason holds a Master of Business Administration in Indigenous Business and Leadership and a Master of Education in Indigenous Educational Administration and Leadership. His education brings together strong financial, governance, and strategic skills with Indigenous knowledge systems woven throughout, supporting leadership that is both effective and culturally grounded. Throughout his career, Jason has led complex organizations and supported Indigenous Nations through growth, change, and long-term planning. He has held senior executive roles overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, human resources, capital projects, and organizational operations. His experience includes leading financial systems reform, strengthening internal controls, improving reporting, economic development, and supporting governance structures that promote transparency and accountability. Jason’s strengths include strategic planning, financial management, policy development, organizational design, and leadership development. He is known for his ability to bring clarity to complex challenges, build strong teams, and create systems that support sustainable results. His leadership approach is practical, steady, and focused on helping organizations move forward in a clear and coordinated way. He has also contributed to the development of Indigenous leaders as a visiting professor at SFU for the EMBA in Indigenous Business and Leadership program, where he taught financial management and governance in Indigenous contexts, helping leaders make informed decisions that reflect both financial realities and community values. Jason’s work has included securing significant external funding, supporting capital and infrastructure planning, strengthening governance systems, and advancing community-driven priorities across housing, education, safety, and economic development. Returning home to Gitwangak is a meaningful step for Jason. His focus is on supporting strong governance, building capable systems, and helping the Nation move forward in ways that reflect Gitksan values, strengthen self-determination, and build trust across the community. COO Communication to Gitwangak Community and Staff: Ama hiihluxw Gitwangak,’Wii Anda Moohl hl wem Gitksani’yJason Wong hl wem k’amsiiwaa’yGenada hl pdeega’yWilp Luuhon win sa witxwi’yMary Bryant/Wong/Racy hl wes nits’iitsi’y I am very proud to be writing to you today. Coming home to Gitwangak to serve as Chief Operating Officer means a great deal to me. This is home. This is where my responsibilities are. Many years ago, I told Debbie Bright, who always supported me and believed in me, that I would come home one day. I carry that with me as I begin this role. I step into this work with a strong sense of purpose. I believe in leading with ethics.Doing the right thing builds a strong foundation for everything else. Our people deserve honesty, fairness, and respect in how decisions are made. I believe in strong governance.Clear roles, clear processes, and accountability allow leadership and staff to work together in a good way. When governance is strong, decisions are clearer, and results follow. I believe in self-determination.Our future should be shaped by our own values, our own laws, and our own vision. We will continue building systems that support Gitksan control over our direction. I believe in trust.Trust is built through actions over time. It grows when people feel heard, respected, and included. We will work toward open communication and a stronger connection between leadership, staff, and community. To our staff, I want to recognize the work you do every day. You are the ones who keep services running, who support families, and who carry a lot of responsibility. My role is to support you, help create clarity, and ensure you have the systems and structure you need to succeed. To our community, I am here to listen and to work alongside you. There is a lot of strength here, in our people, our culture, and our shared history. That strength will guide us. To our community partners, I look forward to working with you in a respectful and practical way. Gitwangak’s path forward is strengthened through relationships, clear communication, and shared follow-through. Together, we can support strong services, meaningful opportunities, and positive outcomes for our shared communities. To our Chief and Council, toyaxs’y’nisim for your trust and confidence in me. I look forward to working closely with you all and actioning Gitwangak’s mandates for positive change in our community. There is important work ahead. We will continue moving forward on housing, infrastructure, community planning, and economic development. We will take a steady approach, focused on real, measurable progress that people can see and feel in their daily lives. I am excited for what we can build together. It is an honour to come home, and I look forward to the many conversations we will share together. Toyaxs’y’ nisim, (Thank you all)Jason Wong, MBA, M.Ed. (He, Him)Chief Operating Officer
