About Janis
Salishan Solutions Principal Owner Janis Brooks (she/her) is of Sto:lo ancestry on her maternal side, and of mixed European ancestry on her paternal side. Janis has worked in Indigenous engagement and consultation for 18 years, which has given her the opportunity to learn from and work with over 200 Indigenous Nations across Turtle Island. She currently lives in Nanaimo with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Janis received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Vancouver Island University in 2009, and completed a National Women in Leadership program with the Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University in 2013.
Prior to starting Salishan Solutions in 2023, Janis was part of the team at Indigenuity Consulting Group where she worked with clients across numerous sectors to lead, design, and deliver various consultation, engagement, and research projects. Earlier in her career, she also worked with the Wauthurong Aboriginal Co-operative and the Aboriginal Education Department at Deakin University, both located in Geelong, Australia. In 2020, Janis was asked to lead the development of a micro-credential course for Royal Roads University called “Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives for Climate Adaptation Professionals’, which she now delivers for the University through the Adaptation Learning Network.
Janis recently discovered a passion for bringing the values of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives together with the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. This led her to complete a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion studies from Cornell University in 2021. Bringing a blended identity and unique lived experience to her work, Janis now helps clients look at opportunities for reconciliation, indigenization, and decolonization with a focus on creating inclusive and culturally responsive environments, processes, and programs.
Janis has served in various volunteer and Director capacities with the Young Indigenous Professionals, the Columbian Centre Society, and Ch’nook Scholars program, and regularly volunteers in her community.

Interested in learning more?
Each project is designed specifically to meet our client’s unique needs.
We look forward to connecting with you to explore how we may be able to help your organization!