Board of Directors
Riannon is serving her second tenure as a director on TNDC’s board and assumed the Chair position in July 2024. She previously served from 2014 to 2020, including Vice-Chair from 2018 to 2020 and Chair from 2020 to March 2021.
Riannon is a natural resources environmental sciences and management professional with extensive experience leading community engagement, conducting environmental studies and ensuring Indigenous knowledge is reflected in resource development projects.
As Indigenous Relations Advisor with Stantec Ltd. Consulting, Riannon assists in planning, management, assessment and mitigation services to private sector resource developers, all levels of government, non-governmental groups, and Indigenous groups. She previously worked as an Environmental Scientist with the Stantec.
Her career has included Field Technician with Tahltan Fisheries, Lands Manager with the Tahltan Central Government, Environmental Technician with Galore Creek Mining Corporation, and Environmental Monitor with Rescan Tahltan Environmental Consultants.
Riannon holds a Bachelor of Arts within the Ecosystems and Science Management Program, major in Environmental Studies and minor in Geomorphology, from the University of Northern British Columbia. She has also completed the Aboriginal Business Management Program from through UBC - Sauder School of Business and Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education.
Samuel Burger was appointed to the TNDC Board of Directors in 2025. He brings strong financial expertise and a deep commitment to advancing Indigenous financial capacity and governance.
Samuel currently serves as Finance Coordinator with the Kwadacha Nation, overseeing accounts payable and receivable, along with vendor and customer account management. His previous roles with BHL CPAs and MNP included supporting First Nations across British Columbia in preparing audits and tax filings.
He is in his third year of the Bachelor of Commerce programme at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), majoring in accounting, and is actively pursuing his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
In 2022, Samuel was selected to represent UNBC at JDC West—Western Canada’s largest undergraduate business competition—as a business strategy delegate. He also completed Basic Military Qualification with the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta.
Grounded in traditional values, Samuel has a lifelong connection to hunting, fishing, and harvesting in Tahltan Territory. He is committed to supporting self-determined Indigenous governance through his work and board service.
Samuel is Tahltan on his father’s side, through his grandparents Collette Quock and Sam Burger, and great-grandparents Charles and Peggy Quock. His father is Clayton Burger. On his mother’s side, he is Nisga’a and Cree – his mother is Lori Burger.
Appointed in January 2025, Tina Etzerza brings nearly 30 years of leadership in education and community service to the TNDC Board. She has served School District No. 87 for 28 years and is currently the Manager of Payroll and Human Resources, overseeing payroll, staffing, and labour relations in accordance with local Collective Agreements. She is deeply committed to building a legacy for future generations.
Since 2014, Tina has represented Dease Lake on the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and the Northwest Regional Hospital District. She also serves on the Northwest Resource Benefits Alliance, which recently secured a landmark $250 million agreement with the Province of B.C. to retain regional economic benefits.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tina served as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Dease Lake, collaborating with counterparts in Iskut and Telegraph Creek to create a comprehensive Tahltan Emergency Management Plan.
She holds a Business Administration – Accounting Diploma with Honours from Coast Mountain College and is completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management at Royal Roads University.
A member of the Thud ga family and Tseskiye clan, Tina was raised at 40 Mile Flats. She is the daughter of Mark and Gay Frocklage and granddaughter of Bud and Doris Simpson.
Charles Lequereux was appointed to the TNDC Board of Directors in 2025. He brings over four decades of experience in mining and trades, field operations, technical expertise, business development, with a deep connection to Tahltan Territory and a passion for contributing to the Nation.
Charles began his career in mining, receiving equipment training that included air track drilling and basic blasting. After gaining early experience on a blasting crew at Cassiar Asbestos, he transitioned to the autobody repair industry, where he worked for 26 years.
He later founded his own autobody and towing business, expanding operations to include two fully equipped collision repair shops in Telkwa and Houston, B.C. His services ranged from industrial sandblasting and heavy truck repair to full classic car restorations with custom airbrush work.
In 2004, Charles joined TNDC as a heavy-duty mechanic apprentice. He embraced the opportunity and spent 17 years contributing to TNDC field projects and shop operations in Dease Lake, including roles in equipment rebuilding, painting and as assistant foreman, before retiring in 2021.
He is honoured to continue serving through his role on the TNDC Board of Directors.
Charles is a member of the Goodzama family of the Wolf Clan.
Dawn (DJ) was appointed to the TNDC Board in January 2024. With a career spanning more than 30 years and a passion for mentoring the next generation, DJ is a Tahltan trail blazer.
DJ is the road maintenance supervisor for Skeena Gold and Silver. Previously, she worked for Newmont at the Red Chris mine as a Heavy Equipment Operator. She also worked for TNDC for approximately 30 years in various roles, including secondment to Newcrest Mining (former Red Chris operator) as a NewSafe Coach, and Shift Boss on TNDC’s Tailings Impoundment Area project team. DJ was TNDC’s first female Construction Supervisor; her early career as an Equipment Operator has pioneered a path for future female operators.
DJ holds Shiftboss Certification from BC Mines and Level 3 First Aid.
She holds a strong connection to her Indigenous heritage, loves her Tahltan people, and leads with love, truth, faith and hope. Her grandmother is from the Tahltan Carlick family and grandfather is from the Tlingit Taku Jack family. She is from the wolf clan. Her grandmother called her Cah Dehda Caudanik, which means a woman who talks a lot but tells a true story.
Edward Van Mierlo was appointed to TNDC’s Board of Directors at the end of 2022.
Edward is a general manager and camp services management professional with a career spanning 30 years. He is Economic Development Manager with the Tahltan Band. Previously Edward was General Manager of the Dease Lake Super A grocery store, and had an 18-year+ management career with TNDC, serving as its Vice President of Operations and Chief Operations Officer for its camp services division.
Edward holds a number of certificates and designations, including Computerized Business Administration and professional food services.
Edward has resided in Dease Lake for more than two decades and is a Tahltan Associate through his marriage to Tina Quock from the Quock family.