The leadership of Martial Arts for Justice
Board of Directors
Who is Martial Arts for Justice?
Martial Arts for Justice was founded in early 2016 in Canada by Master Dean Simino following his first visit to Africa in May of 2015. In its first 4 years MAJ has developed
its board structure, received Canadian Charitable status, developed its own unique national fund-raising campaign and adopted a one of a kind specialized empowerment training called Enhanced Resilience Training.TM
Martial Arts for Justice is a Registered Canadian Charity dedicated to fighting for justice for the most vulnerable in our world. MAJ receives support through all sectors of Canada but targets awareness and education of violence issues to ten of thousands of martial arts students in Canada as well as other demographic groups that care about preventing GBV.
MAJ delivers this unique Enhanced Resilience TrainingTM to victims of violence & oppression in all areas globally where GBV and other forms of violence are prevalent. MAJ’s model is strongly focussed on the TOT model to deliver the training to maximum numbers of beneficiaries while ensuring local ownership with a focus on partnerships with strong local Governments or NGO.
ERT is a unique method of body-mind training that helps to reset our nervous system a er experiencing trauma. Participants are guided through specialized exercises that reverse the debilitating e ects of trauma as they are equipped to be more resilient and empowered to protect themselves and families from violence.
Dean Siminoff
Master Dean has been studying martial arts for 26 years and is a 6th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and Chief Master Instructor.
Master Dean has been studying martial arts for 26 years and is a 6th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and Chief Master Instructor.
He is the founder and senior instructor of Kootenay Christian Martial Arts. During the past
19 years KCMA has positively a ected hundreds of students and families in the Nelson and Castlegar area with 125+ students promoted to first degree black belt. Master Dean has extensive management & project experience previously in the BC mining and forest industries and for the past 22 years has been a professional financial planner.
He is the founder & president of Martial Arts for Justice, a registered Canadian Charity. He is passionate about bringing justice to the poor and vulnerable in our world and has travelled to different parts of Africa. His commitment to helping those facing injustice and gender-based violence, has led to the creation of Enhanced Resilience TrainingTM. ERT is now transforming lives in Rwanda where MAJ is delivering projects to women and girls giving them new hope through personal empowerment and trauma healing.
For more info go to www.enhancedresilience.com
In Canada, Master Dean is focused on educating other martial artists about why they need to be more than just champions in their dojang but how they can be champions in their communities and globally as well. This is done primarily through MAJ’s annual fundraising campaign called “Breaking Boards Breaking Chains.”
Abby Silva
Born in South Africa under the Apartheid regime, Abby is no stranger to social issues. She is compassionate, empathetic, and invested in preserving human dignity.
Abby has a passion to develop leaders and assist them in utilizing their influence to bring transformation to every sector of their service.
Abby has been in various areas of humanitarian service for the last 33 years. She was an advocate for the poor in S. Africa, served the Sri Lankan people a er the 2004 Tsunami crisis and was an on the ground counsellor to the victims’ families of the tragic crash of
Swiss Air 111. She has served as chair and vice chair of Community Restorative Justice Forums and has volunteered with Victim Services to support victims of crime in Trail, British Columbia. Author and presenter, Abby has her master’s in counselling psychology and frequently hosts workshops that addresses current social challenges. Along with a thriving clinical practice, Abby recently coined the term, Corporate AttachmentTM, which is a developed, proven science, and originally trademarked concept that allows her to bring the understanding of attachment psychology to the workplace. As a corporate consultant, Abby educates leaders to understand their attachment styles and how it interacts with team members that ultimately elevates stress or stabilizes workplace relationships. Though a visionary and entrepreneur at heart, Abby is an advocate for the well being of others and victims of injustice.
Serving as Chair with Martial Arts for Justice allows Abby the opportunity to see individuals recover from trauma, find their voice, and e ectively take their place in the world. She is excited to see the Enhanced Resilience ProgramTM (ERT) rolled out in every community that has been impacted by traumatic events. When these individuals realize that the power to break patterns of victimization lies within them, when they recognize their ability to live di erent and joyous lives, when they are able to dream and shape their future, only then have we achieved why we exist as an organization.
Stacy DeVries
Stacy has been teaching high school since 1992 in various contexts including public school, private school, and Distance Learning.
She has always had a heart for justice issues and has been a part of MAJ since its inception. She trained for over two years to receive her Black Belt in TKD and has participated in MAJ’s work in Rwanda and Uganda, working to help vulnerable women and girls overcome trauma through the Enhanced Resilience Program. In fact, the work in East Africa was the reason she started training in TKD in the first place.
Although she no longer trains in TKD, her fight for justice continues in both her public and private life. She has deep connections in Uganda where she purchased and now oversees a school for students from preschool to Grade 5,
working hard to promote better education and facilities for vulnerable students and orphans.
She hopes to see MAJ’s Enhanced Resilience TrainingTM program become more established in Uganda and has a deep interest in seeing women healed to the point where they feel powerful once again.
Tony Kook
Master Tony is the current owner of North Shore Taekwondo, West Vancouver Taekwondo, and Tri-City Taekwondo.
Under his direct supervision and his wonderful sta of instructors, they have helped thousands of Lower Mainland residents enjoy the many benefits that come with training at our schools.
Master Tony Kook has 32 years experience in Taekwondo, and 20 years teaching experience with adults and children.
Master Tony says, “it is a pleasure to be serving with a group of dedicated like minded individuals using the platform of martial arts to empower the oppressed.”
He is a Certified Master Instructor with WTF, BCWTF, and WTF Canada.
• 9 time BC Provincial Lightweight Champion (1994 – 2002)
• 2 time Canadian National Lightweight Champion (2000,2001)
• Certified 6th degree Black Belt with the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) • BC Taekwondo Federation Board of Director
• Taekwondo Canada Governance Committee member
• Former Secretary General for the BC Taekwondo Federation
• Current Vice President of the BC Taekwondo Federation
• Current Vice President of Taekwondo Canada
