Ryan Deneault’s unique life story is the basis of the business, Healing Between Worlds. Through lived experience, Ryan shares his unique story of being a functioning addict for 30+ years and his attempts to fit into society for nearly five decades to help others find their healing path, teach about Canada’s history through an Indigenous lens and Truth and Reconciliation, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), plus share his journey through addiction to wellness and recovery.

The United Way's vision is to empower a healthy, inclusive community. Our Mission - to strengthen vital connections that support people in need in our local communities. In my role as the Community Engagement Specialist in Emergent Need within the Lytton, Merritt and 15 Indigenous Communities within the surrounding area. I am introducing the Hi Neighbour Initiative. I work with community champions to develop a vision creating an action plan for the betterment of their community. The United Way supports their vison with micro funding called Local Love Grants. If this inspires you to get involved in your community please reach out to me ryand@uwbc.ca. I look forward to hearing from you!

Over the past 15 years, I have run my own business, worked in sales and business development and, most recently, I've been a First Nations liaison in the construction and mining industries. This experience, coupled with my Skeetchestn heritage, makes for an approach to Industry-Indigenous relations that’s rooted in finding ways to develop mutual understanding and trust.Most recently, I was the First Nations Liaison for KGHM International Ltd.’s Ajax Project. At KGHM, I participated in taking the Ajax Project through the Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessment Application development, Environmental Application/EIS review, and early permitting processes. In this role, I coordinated and implemented engagement and consultation opportunities, training and employment, business development, and community relations activities between KGHM and Indigenous communities in the Kamloops area.Through my industrial and resource development work, I've honed a keen sense of the importance of relationships, and clear and honest communication and consultation between First Nations, Government, and Industry Proponents. I spent many hours in Industry-First Nations project negotiations and believes the process works best when parties leave adversarial attitudes at the door. My approach to negotiation is to focus on getting to yes over engaging in unnecessarily long and complex legal battles that rarely benefit the parties directly involved.Whether it’s helping explain technical information to non-technical audiences, or working to clear up misunderstanding and confusion about what Aboriginal Title & Rights mean to different bands and nations, I speak the languages of both First Nations and Industry. My passion for finding ways to connect and develop common ground between those interested in working together has benefited companies and communities alike. visit https://www.bctprojects.com for more information.

I was also a Real Estate agent in the Kootenays and a Supervisor at various Costco Wholesale locations in BC and Alberta.