Melanie Mark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melanie Mark
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| Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak | |
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| Minister without Portfolio | |
| In office September 28, 2022 – April 14, 2023 |
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| Premier | John Horgan David Eby |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport of British Columbia | |
| In office November 26, 2020 – September 28, 2022 |
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| Premier | John Horgan |
| Preceded by | Lisa Beare (Tourism, Arts and Culture) |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Beare |
| Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training of British Columbia | |
| In office July 18, 2017 – November 26, 2020 |
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| Premier | John Horgan |
| Preceded by | Linda Reid (Advanced Education) Shirley Bond (Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training) |
| Succeeded by | Anne Kang |
| Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant |
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| In office February 2, 2016 – April 14, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Jenny Kwan |
| Succeeded by | Joan Phillip |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 |
| Political party | New Democrat |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Simon Fraser University |
Melanie Joy Mark (born 1975), also known by her Nisga'a name Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak, is a Canadian politician. She served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant in British Columbia. She was an MLA from 2016 to 2023.
Melanie Mark is a member of the New Democratic Party (NDP). She made history as the first First Nations woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. She was also the first First Nations woman to be part of the Cabinet of British Columbia. She held important roles like Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training, and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. She resigned from her roles in April 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Melanie Mark was born in 1975. She has Nisga'a, Gitxsan, Cree, and Ojibwe family roots. She grew up in the Downtown Eastside area of Vancouver.
She attended six different high schools. She was the first person in her family to finish high school. She also went on to college and university. She earned a diploma in criminology. Later, she studied political science and sociology at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005.
Early Career and Community Work
Before becoming a politician, Melanie Mark worked in several important roles. She worked with the Native Court Workers' Association. She also worked at Covenant House, which helps young people. She was involved with Save the Children Canada's Sacred Lives Project.
From 2000 to 2006, she was the president of the Urban Native Youth Association. She also helped start the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre. For eight years, she worked for the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth. This office helps young people and families who are involved with the child and youth welfare system in British Columbia.
Awards and Recognition
Melanie Mark has received several awards for her work. In 2006, she received the YWCA Vancouver Young Woman of Distinction Award. In 2015, she was given the Chief Joe Mathias Leadership Award. She also received the Janusz Korczak Medal for Children's Rights Advocacy in 2016. In 2018, she was honored with the Stenberg College, Be the Change, Community Leadership Award.
Melanie Mark has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Political Career
Melanie Mark began her political journey when Jenny Kwan decided to leave her role as MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. Mark ran to become the New Democratic Party's candidate. She won the nomination on June 14, 2015.
Becoming an MLA
On February 2, 2016, a special election was held. Melanie Mark was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. She won with 61% of the votes. This made her the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the British Columbia Legislature. She was re-elected in the 2017 general election.
Minister of Advanced Education
In July 2017, Melanie Mark was named the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. In this role, she worked to make college and university more affordable. She helped create the Provincial Tuition Waiver program. This program helps young people from the foster care system attend college or university without paying tuition.
She also helped create the B.C. Access Grant. This grant gives money to students from low- and middle-income families. It helps them pay for full-time studies at colleges and universities in British Columbia. She also removed fees for Adult Basic Education and English language learning programs. She also stopped interest on provincial student loans.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
After the 2020 election, Melanie Mark became the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. This happened on November 26, 2020. On September 28, 2022, she stepped down from this role to take medical leave. She was then appointed as a Minister without Portfolio.
Resignation from Politics
On February 22, 2023, Melanie Mark announced she would resign as an MLA and cabinet minister. Her resignation became official on April 14, 2023. In her resignation speech, she spoke about the need for change in political institutions. She said she would continue to work for change from outside the government. A new election was held on June 24, 2023, to choose her replacement.
