Dave is Shuswap from the Alkali Lake Band in Northern British Columbia. He is married to Marilyn and they are the proud parents of seven children. Dave speaks his native language fluently.

Dave has a deep respect for the cultural and traditional beliefs of all native people. He is very proud of his bands' courage and commitment to risking and addressing alcoholism to an impressive 97% community sobriety rate and moving through much deeper healing issues.

Dave had been involved for many years in the training of community healing movement with native people. He worked at Nechi Institute from 1989 to 1996. He moved home to BC for a time but is now back educating addictions counsellors here at Nechi.