John Alan Jack

This is my official portrait as a sitting Member of Council for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

John Alan Jack

I was born and raised on the East Coast of Vancouver Island in and around Parksville, British Columbia, Canada. I went to school all over School District 69 and graduated from Ballenas Secondary School in 1999. Beginning in 2000, I attended what is now called Vancouver Island University and graduated with distinction receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Global Studies.

I am dual heritage: half-First Nations and half-Scots/Irish. My mother is the late Sandra Lucille Gallagher (Jack), the youngest daughter of Ernest Jack, a fisherman from the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, and Shirley Jack (Chester), who was originally from the Ditidaht First Nation. My father is David James McIvor, a former faller (feller?) and the youngest son of Cecil “Buck” McIvor, who owned a sawmill in Errington, British Columbia.  I have two brothers, but lacking their permission, I reckon I’ll not name them.

I began my working life in the service industry [Chinese Food Delivery] and ended up working a more physical job afterward [The Winery, a self-brew wine business]. From there, I became more involved in the governance work of my tribe, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. I first became involved in the Constitution Committee, a group of HFN citizens who helped create Huu-ay-aht’s ultimate law. From there, I branched into a position on staff in “Eligibility and Enrollment” where I registered our people under the Treaty so they could vote for or against it in the referendum. I also served as an Assistant to Chief & Council, as the Communications Coordinator, and also sat on other law-creating committees leading up to self-government: Finance, Governance and Citizenship.

In 2009 and before the Effective Date of the Maa-nulth Treaty, I took the chance on running for elected office. I had the good fortune to be elected into office, and served for two years until the treaty mandated that a new election under self-government be conducted in 2011. During that time, I held the portfolios of economic development, finance and housing. In 2011, the first general election was held under self-government, and I once again had the good fortune to be re-elected. I will be up for re-election in June 2015, and again in 2019. I have held many files in my portfolio — most of them relating to economic development, law and policy development and finance in some way, shape or form.

In July of 2018, I was appointed by the Province to be a Member of the Board of Governors for my alma mater, Vancouver Island University for a one-year term and that has since continued into the present.

I was married to the love of my life, Crystal, in October 2013. Together, we have an ornery cat named Lina (LEE-nah), an exuberant dog named Piro (PEER-oh) and more recently a suspicious pup by the name of Neville. Also, we’re expecting our first child in late September or early October, 2015. We live in the place of my childhood and adolescence, Parksville, and currently* plan on staying here for at least the first few years of our child’s life as our immediate family resides primarily in the Oceanside area — my father, her parents, my grandfather, my brothers, etc.. [* As of March, 2015.]

UPDATE: On 24 September 2015, our first child, a daughter named Ezri Lucille Jack, was born in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. I have plenty of photos on my Instagram account. Also, we bought a house in French Creek in August.

UPDATE AGAIN: On 17 March 2018, my wife and I welcomed our second child, a daughter named Reyna Katherine Jack, to the world. Once again, you’ll find copious photography on my Instagram account.

ANOTHER UPDATE: On 14 July 2020, our third child — a son named David Lucas was born.

I have more than a bit of older content that I’ve produced over my years online. While not an exhaustive list, here are some links:

Twitter – My username is an old throwback to my gaming days…

LinkedIn – For those interested in my work identity.

Facebook – Check and see if any of my privacy settings are wonky…

Instagram – Pictures I take with my phone, then filter.

Thanks!

john @ this site .ca