Name: Jade Chaboyer-Kondra
Job Title: Lead, Indigenous Engagement
Length of Service: 7 years
Worksite: Work from home in syilx territory (West Kelowna)
Community: West Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: syilx
If you ask Jade Chaboyer-Kondra what drives her, she’ll tell you it’s in building relationships with people who work to make a difference in their communities and Nations. That passion is evident in the skill, knowledge, insights and compassion she brings to her work every single day.
You may know Jade in her role as lead, Indigenous Engagement on our Indigenous Partnerships team, or as a former host of the IH’s Indigenous health and wellness podcast, Interior Voices. We connected with her to learn more about what inspires her, the meaningful experiences she’s had throughout her career, and her life outside of work (spoiler alert: you’ll see her wearing orange and blue during the NHL season).
Learn more about Jade’s journey with IH
Originally from Saskatoon on Treaty 6 Territory, Jade has lived on syilx territory as a Métis guest since 2018 with her husband Adam, their two sons, Berkley and Boston, and their miniature dachshund, Lucy.
Jade joined Interior Health (IH) in 2018 after more than seven years with the Saskatchewan Provincial Health Authority. She was drawn to work for IH as she had done similar work in Saskatchewan. She started as an Indigenous cultural safety educator as part of a small and mighty team of two. In 2024, she moved into her current role in Indigenous Engagement.
“What’s important to me is integrity and holding space for people. In the realm of Indigenous health and wellness, cultural safety and continual learning, I believe it is important to always recognize your privileges and your responsibilities. When you’re being called to do something, especially if it feels difficult, it’s also important to help others and do that hard thing, whatever it is.”
Jade had followed Interior Voices since its launch in 2018. She joined as a guest on several episodes, and eventually became a co-host of the podcast in 2022. After three years of many meaningful conversations with people who are committed to cultural safety and humility, she decided to step away from her role as a co-host in 2025.
Reflecting on her time hosting the podcast, she says one of her most memorable episodes was with guest Dr. Martin Lavoie (IH’s former chief medical health officer), who she remembers as down-to-earth, and open in his cultural safety and humility journey.
“To me, reconciliation is about building trust and relationships based on goodwill toward and for others.”
An early highlight in her time with IH was co-leading a virtual, two-day NAVIG8 learning session supported by Elders, with former colleagues and manager Vanessa Mitchell. “The feedback we received was very empowering and heartfelt,” she recalls.
Jade finds daily purpose in connecting with people who work to make a difference in their communities and Nations and is inspired by the strong Indigenous women in her life.
“I have always been inspired by people such as my mother, aunts and grandmothers who often had to stand alone and fiercely to make a life by living in a good way. I have watched them overcome so much adversity with strength and grace. In my everyday work life, I am privileged to be surrounded by some amazing Indigenous women who have both supported and uplifted me when I need it.”
She’s working toward becoming a Certified Executive Coach and is completing an ICF-accredited training program to achieve this designation.
Outside of work, Jade loves to play slo-pitch and golf, and go camping with her family. A lifelong hockey fan—and part of a loyal family of Edmonton Oilers supporters—she enjoys watching games in person and on television, and even listening to games on the radio. She also loves watching both of her sons play hockey.
“I always look forward to watching my sons grow and learn. Hockey season truly never ends in our family, and I’m excited for their next fall/winter season!”
When asked what inclusion, belonging and accessibility mean to her, Jade offers this: “It means being welcomed and having whatever you bring with you—your gifts, talents and even areas of improvements—accepted by others.”
Join us as we say thank you and farewell to Jade as her time hosting Interior Voices comes to an end.
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