Melanie Joy Mark

Also known by her Nisga'a name as Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak, was a Canadian politician, the first First Nations woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and the first First Nations woman to serve in the Cabinet of British Columbia. She became the first person in her family to graduate from high school and attend college and university. She earned a degree in political science at Simon Fraser University. As Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Mark oversaw policy changes that made college and university more accessible to more British Columbians. She created the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver program, which supports youth in and from the foster system to access post secondary education tuition free.