Core Team (Staff and Students)Advisors / Knowledge Keepers Feather Feather Steering Committee Adjust Adjust Program/Research AssociatesCampus PartnersCommunity Partners
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Core Team (Staff & Students)

Maeve Lydon

Program Director Greetings! As an uninvited guest, I am honoured to live and work on Coast Salish territories. I am the daughter of Irish immigrants from Galway, (another wild west coast) in Ireland. Over the past 15 years, I have been…
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Jessica Joseph

Jessica Joseph

Arts and Community Engagement Programmer eyʔ skʷéčəl I’m Jessica Joseph from the Songhees Nation. I align myself with cultural restoration and art, and I’m inspired by plants and traditional stories. I started working with the Living…
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Theresa Hunter

Administrative Coordinator I respectfully live and work on the traditional territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples. I joined the LL Team in June 2025, and value my role in supporting this important community-based project. I bring many years…
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Jam

Jam Ramjattan

Engagement and Support Jam is an educator, community worker, & lover of tacos. He graduated with a B.A. Justice Studies at Royal Roads University. He recently completed his M.A. research on the Pedagogy of Space: Deconstructing Colonial…
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Program/Research Associates

Daniella Roze des Ordons

I am a post-doctoral fellow, educator, and Registered Clinical Counsellor committed to research that fosters more connected, equitable, and flourishing communities. I am passionate about community research that enhances capacity, responds to…
Read more

Alyssa Joseph

I am a W̱SÁNEĆ (Malahat First Nation) graduate researcher working at the intersection of Indigenous governance, ethnoecology, and wildlife research, with a focus on kinship-based stewardship and care for my human and more-than-human relatives.…
Read more

Walter Homewood

Walter is a PhD candidate in the University of Victoria's School of Environmental Studies. He joined the Living Lab team in October 2025 to provide archaeological research support to the ÁLEṈENEȻ Restoration, Rights and Resurgence Project.…
Read more
DesireeJones

Desiree Jones

W̱SÁNEĆ School Board Senior Language Apprentice/Living Lab-WSB Staff Liaison ÍY, SȻÁĆEL SIÁM NE SĆÁLEĆE. ESE Desiree Jones ĆSE LÁ,E SEN EṮ W̱SÁNEĆ. My name is Desiree Jones, I am from W̱SÁNEĆ territory and Pauquachin First…
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TraceyMurphy

Tracey Murphy

Research and Program Associate I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Curriculum Studies at the University of Victoria and currently a research assistant with the Gender Justice, Creative Pedagogies & Arts-Based Research Group and Living Labs, bringing…
Read more
LyndseyJoseph

Lyndsey Henry

W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary School LLab Program Developer ÍY, SȻÁĆEL SIÁM. TE,TES,ȾE ŦE NE SNÁ ĆSE LÁ,E SEN EṮ LEQEṈEN. My name is Lyndsey Henry, I am lək̓ʷəŋən from the Songhees First Nation, and I currently reside…
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Advisors/Knowledge Keepers

Nicholas XEMŦOLTW̱ Claxton

NICHOLAS XEMŦOLTW̱ CLAXTON

Co-Founder and past Academic Director of Living Lab, UVic School of Child & Youth Care I work with UVic as an assistant professor in the Department of Child and Youth Care. I am also a W̱SÁNEĆ community member and past Chief of the…
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Leslie Brown

Leslie Brown

(Co-Chair) Engagement & Research / Professor Emeritus, UVic School of Social Work I am a Great-Grandmother and University of Victoria Professor Emerita, who has a life-long passion for community-based research and Indigenous child and family…
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Melisa Yestrau

Melisa Yestrau

Actua, Network Member Leadership and Development Coach I grew up spending summers at my grandma’s farm in rural Manitoba. My love for the natural environment was influenced by my grandma, as she had a deep understanding of plants, animals…
Read more
Shelly-Niemi-

Shelly Niemi

Director of Indigenous Education School District 61 Bio Coming Soon!
Read more
BuddHall

Budd Hall

Settler / UVic Professor Emeritus - UNESCO Chair in Higher Education
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Butch-Dick

Butch Dick

LƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN, Songhees Nation
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JohnElliott

John Elliott

W̱SÁNEĆ / UVic Honorary Doctorate, TSARTLIP Nation
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LornaWilliams

Lorna Williams

Lil‘wat / St’at‘yem’ Nation, Professor Emerita / Faculty of Education & Canada Research Chair - Indigenous Knowledge & Learning
Read more
EarlClaxtonJr

Earl Claxton Jr.

W̱SÁNEĆ / PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ - TSAWOUT Nation
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Mavis Underwood

Research and Planning Advisor I am proud to be invited to the Living Lab Project. As a past IGOV scholar, I pressed for improved curriculum in our professional schools of law, health, education and social development to counter the colonizing…
Read more

Steering Committee

JohnHarris

John Harris

Indigenous Education Elder & Indigenous Knowledge Facilitator SD61 ’Uy’ skweyul, I am an Indigenous Educator and member of Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo) First Nation, working in the Greater Victoria School District’s Indigenous Education…
Read more
Kyle Clarke

Kyle Clarke

,
Education Coordinator Kyle is of Ukrainian, Irish, and Métis ancestry who grew up on the W̱SÁNEĆ territory. Recently, Kyle graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. He…
Read more
RuthLyall

Ruth Lyall

Director of Indigenous Programs, Camosun College Nugwa’am ɁIxcəmga. Gayutɫan lax Gwa’yasdams. My Kwaḱwala-given name, Ixcəmga, was given to me by my Coon family, from the village of Gwa’yasdams, of the Kwiḵwa̱sut̓inux̱w…
Read more
Renee Sampson

SXEDTELISIYE – Renee Sampson

W̱SÁNEĆ School Board Bio Coming Soon!
Read more
TyeSwallow

Tye Swallow

Adult Education Facilitator W̱SÁNEĆ Schoolboard I am a Facilitator for Language Revitalization with the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board. My interest in being involved in the Living Lab work revolves around helping transform educational structures…
Read more
TriciaRoche

Tricia Roche

UVic - HSD Development Officer After a decade of experience in youth-focused research at UVic, I now work as a Development & External Relations Officer in the Faculty of Human & Social Development. I find congruence between the values…
Read more
ErichKelch

Erich Kelch

PARKS CANADA - Sea Gardens Project Manager My name is Erich Kelch, and I was born in Lekwungen territory/Victoria and now live on PKAALS/Mt. Tolmie/District of Saanich. I am of German and English descent and feel connected to the people and…
Read more
DorotheaHarris

Dorothea Harris (on leave)

Office of Indigenous & Academic Community Engagement, Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator. Director, Indigenous University Initiatives. My family is from Snuneymuxw First Nation, and I am a grateful visitor on the Lək̓ʷəŋən, W̱SÁNEĆ…
Read more
Judith

Judith Lyn Arney

PH Ecosystems Director I grew up in the beautiful forests, beaches, and meadows of the W̱SÁNEĆ homelands. I‘m an ethno-ecologist of British ancestry doing ecosystem restoration work. My role with Living Lab is supporting “on the ground”…
Read more
Nicholas Stanger

Nicholas Stanger

Research Lead, Western Washington University - Research / Environmental Education ​​I aim to understand, mobilize, and help create space for Indigenous communities to tell their stories of resurgence, cultural adaptation, and sovereignty…
Read more

Darcy Mathews

,
Assistant Professor, School of Environmental Studies, UVic. UVic Academic Co-Leads I am an Archaeologist and Ethnoecologist working primarily via UVic with the Songhees Nation. We are working collaboratively at Tl’ches (Chatham/Discovery…
Read more

Community Partners

David Jackson

Director of Science Venture University of Victoria (BIO coming soon)
Read more
Kyle Clarke

Kyle Clarke

,
Education Coordinator Kyle is of Ukrainian, Irish, and Métis ancestry who grew up on the W̱SÁNEĆ territory. Recently, Kyle graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. He…
Read more

Kaeli Dyer

Bio Coming Soon.
Read more
PeterPare

Peter Paré

ṮEṮÁĆES Climate Action Project I am an emeritus Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of British Columbia and a Clinician Scientist at St Paul’s Hospital and the UBC Center for Heart Lung Innovation. I…
Read more
Deb Morrison - small

Deb Morrison

Islands Trust, TETACES, University of Washington I am Deb Morrison, a climate and anti-oppression activist, scientist, learning scientist, educator, mother, locally elected official, and many other things besides (www.debmorrison.me). My…
Read more

Bruce Kilpatrick

Communications Advisor I’m honoured to be part of the Living Lab team and to support the important work it does. In late 2020, I retired from my 26-year role as the executive director of communications + marketing and director of communications…
Read more

Soren Henrich

Chair of the Friends of Bowker Creek I am a founding director of the Friends of Bowker Creek Society (2018) for urban watershed renewal. I am interested in collaboration with the Living Lab project, and am a partner signatory for NSERC and…
Read more
MayaHamel

Maya Hamel

Esquimalt Nation, Program Supervisor Hello, my name is Maya Hamel. I was born in Hefei, China. I was adopted and brought to Canada, where I grew up on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Victoria 7 years ago. I am grateful…
Read more
Joachim (Yogi) Carolsfeld

Joachim (Yogi) Carolsfeld

Director of World Fisheries Trust I am grateful to have spent over 25 years working from Lekwungen territory in environmental education, environmental research, and international development as leader of the non-profit World Fisheries Trust.…
Read more

Campus Partners

Amanda LaVallee

Assistant Professor - School of Social Work I am a Métis scholar rooted in the homelands of the Red River, with a lineage shaped by resistance, movement, and the determination of families who carried Métis culture through generations of…
Read more

Sarah Wiebe

Associate Professor – School of Public Administration. I grew up along the Salish Sea on unceded Tsleil-Waututh territory and am a writer, researcher, storyteller and political ecologist at the University of Victoria. I’m particularly excited…
Read more

Leanne Kelly

I am a Métis/Cree cis-gendered woman originally from Saskatchewan’s Qu’appelle Valley. I’ve worked in First Nations community and public health as an RN for over thirty years in various communities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. …
Read more
NancyShackelford

Nancy Shackelford

Academic Director of the Restoration of Natural Systems Program, UVic I am a native Texan, having settled here in the beautiful lands of the Lekwungen peoples in 2020 to take on the position of Academic Director of the Restoration of Natural…
Read more
JeanPaulRestoule

Jean Paul Restoule

Professor, UVic Education / Director of Indigenous Education Boozhoo! I am Anishinaabe from Dokis First Nation, and French-Canadian from what is currently called Ontario. I am a grateful visitor on Lekwungen territory. I’m a Professor and…
Read more
Murphy-Matt

Matt Murphy

Associate Professor, Sustainability & Strategy, School of Business, UVic My name is Matt Murphy and I am grateful to live and work, as an uninvited guest, on the WSÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən territories. I am originally from Comanche…
Read more
John Lutz

John Lutz

Professor, UVic History I teach and study the history of the Greater Victoria area as well as British Columbia more generally at the University of Victoria and have written a book on the history of Indigenous-settler relations: Makuk: A New…
Read more
Matt Huculak

Matt Huculak

UVic Library / Director of Digital Commons Staff As Head of Advanced Research Services at UVic Libraries, I love connecting people with information and digital tools to do the work they love. I am passionate about teaching and learning and…
Read more
Corntassel_Jeff

Jeff Corntassel

Associate Professor, UVic Indigenous Studies Osiyo! My name is Jeff Kanohalidoh Corntassel and I’m from the Cherokee Nation. I have lived with my family on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples since 2003. I am…
Read more
Crystal Tremblay

Crystal Tremblay

UVic Community Engaged Scholarship - Special Advisor to Provost I have been a visitor on the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples territories for over 16 years, originating from Quebec with French-Canadian, Irish, Scottish and German ancestry.…
Read more

Darcy Mathews

,
Assistant Professor, School of Environmental Studies, UVic. UVic Academic Co-Leads I am an Archaeologist and Ethnoecologist working primarily via UVic with the Songhees Nation. We are working collaboratively at Tl’ches (Chatham/Discovery…
Read more
Heather Castleden

Heather Castleden

Professor and Impact Chair in Transformative Governance for Planetary Health Hello! My name is Heather, which is the name given to a flowering evergreen plant that thrives on the peaty barren lands of Scotland, where my ancestors are…
Read more

Advisors  / Knowledge Keepers

Nicholas XEMŦOLTW̱ Claxton

NICHOLAS XEMŦOLTW̱ CLAXTON

Co-Founder and past Academic Director of Living Lab, UVic School of Child & Youth Care I work with UVic as an assistant professor in the Department of Child and Youth Care. I am also a W̱SÁNEĆ community member and past Chief of the…
Leslie Brown

Leslie Brown

(Co-Chair) Engagement & Research / Professor Emeritus, UVic School of Social Work I am a Great-Grandmother and University of Victoria Professor Emerita, who has a life-long passion for community-based research and Indigenous child and family…
Melisa Yestrau

Melisa Yestrau

Actua, Network Member Leadership and Development Coach I grew up spending summers at my grandma’s farm in rural Manitoba. My love for the natural environment was influenced by my grandma, as she had a deep understanding of plants, animals…
Shelly-Niemi-

Shelly Niemi

Director of Indigenous Education School District 61 Bio Coming Soon!
BuddHall

Budd Hall

Settler / UVic Professor Emeritus - UNESCO Chair in Higher Education
Butch-Dick

Butch Dick

LƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN, Songhees Nation
JohnElliott

John Elliott

W̱SÁNEĆ / UVic Honorary Doctorate, TSARTLIP Nation
LornaWilliams

Lorna Williams

Lil‘wat / St’at‘yem’ Nation, Professor Emerita / Faculty of Education & Canada Research Chair - Indigenous Knowledge & Learning
EarlClaxtonJr

Earl Claxton Jr.

W̱SÁNEĆ / PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ - TSAWOUT Nation

Mavis Underwood

Research and Planning Advisor I am proud to be invited to the Living Lab Project. As a past IGOV scholar, I pressed for improved curriculum in our professional schools of law, health, education and social development to counter the colonizing…

Steering Committee

JohnHarris

John Harris

Indigenous Education Elder & Indigenous Knowledge Facilitator SD61 ’Uy’ skweyul, I am an Indigenous Educator and member of Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo) First Nation, working in the Greater Victoria School District’s Indigenous Education…
Kyle Clarke

Kyle Clarke

,
Education Coordinator Kyle is of Ukrainian, Irish, and Métis ancestry who grew up on the W̱SÁNEĆ territory. Recently, Kyle graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. He…
RuthLyall

Ruth Lyall

Director of Indigenous Programs, Camosun College Nugwa’am ɁIxcəmga. Gayutɫan lax Gwa’yasdams. My Kwaḱwala-given name, Ixcəmga, was given to me by my Coon family, from the village of Gwa’yasdams, of the Kwiḵwa̱sut̓inux̱w…
Renee Sampson

SXEDTELISIYE – Renee Sampson

W̱SÁNEĆ School Board Bio Coming Soon!
TyeSwallow

Tye Swallow

Adult Education Facilitator W̱SÁNEĆ Schoolboard I am a Facilitator for Language Revitalization with the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board. My interest in being involved in the Living Lab work revolves around helping transform educational structures…
TriciaRoche

Tricia Roche

UVic - HSD Development Officer After a decade of experience in youth-focused research at UVic, I now work as a Development & External Relations Officer in the Faculty of Human & Social Development. I find congruence between the values…
ErichKelch

Erich Kelch

PARKS CANADA - Sea Gardens Project Manager My name is Erich Kelch, and I was born in Lekwungen territory/Victoria and now live on PKAALS/Mt. Tolmie/District of Saanich. I am of German and English descent and feel connected to the people and…
DorotheaHarris

Dorothea Harris (on leave)

Office of Indigenous & Academic Community Engagement, Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator. Director, Indigenous University Initiatives. My family is from Snuneymuxw First Nation, and I am a grateful visitor on the Lək̓ʷəŋən, W̱SÁNEĆ…
Judith

Judith Lyn Arney

PH Ecosystems Director I grew up in the beautiful forests, beaches, and meadows of the W̱SÁNEĆ homelands. I‘m an ethno-ecologist of British ancestry doing ecosystem restoration work. My role with Living Lab is supporting “on the ground”…
Nicholas Stanger

Nicholas Stanger

Research Lead, Western Washington University - Research / Environmental Education ​​I aim to understand, mobilize, and help create space for Indigenous communities to tell their stories of resurgence, cultural adaptation, and sovereignty…

Darcy Mathews

,
Assistant Professor, School of Environmental Studies, UVic. UVic Academic Co-Leads I am an Archaeologist and Ethnoecologist working primarily via UVic with the Songhees Nation. We are working collaboratively at Tl’ches (Chatham/Discovery…

Program/Research Associates

Daniella Roze des Ordons

I am a post-doctoral fellow, educator, and Registered Clinical Counsellor committed to research that fosters more connected, equitable, and flourishing communities. I am passionate about community research that enhances capacity, responds to…

Alyssa Joseph

I am a W̱SÁNEĆ (Malahat First Nation) graduate researcher working at the intersection of Indigenous governance, ethnoecology, and wildlife research, with a focus on kinship-based stewardship and care for my human and more-than-human relatives.…

Walter Homewood

Walter is a PhD candidate in the University of Victoria's School of Environmental Studies. He joined the Living Lab team in October 2025 to provide archaeological research support to the ÁLEṈENEȻ Restoration, Rights and Resurgence Project.…
DesireeJones

Desiree Jones

W̱SÁNEĆ School Board Senior Language Apprentice/Living Lab-WSB Staff Liaison ÍY, SȻÁĆEL SIÁM NE SĆÁLEĆE. ESE Desiree Jones ĆSE LÁ,E SEN EṮ W̱SÁNEĆ. My name is Desiree Jones, I am from W̱SÁNEĆ territory and Pauquachin First…
TraceyMurphy

Tracey Murphy

Research and Program Associate I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Curriculum Studies at the University of Victoria and currently a research assistant with the Gender Justice, Creative Pedagogies & Arts-Based Research Group and Living Labs, bringing…
LyndseyJoseph

Lyndsey Henry

W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Secondary School LLab Program Developer ÍY, SȻÁĆEL SIÁM. TE,TES,ȾE ŦE NE SNÁ ĆSE LÁ,E SEN EṮ LEQEṈEN. My name is Lyndsey Henry, I am lək̓ʷəŋən from the Songhees First Nation, and I currently reside…

Campus Partners

Amanda LaVallee

Assistant Professor - School of Social Work I am a Métis scholar rooted in the homelands of the Red River, with a lineage shaped by resistance, movement, and the determination of families who carried Métis culture through generations of…

Sarah Wiebe

Associate Professor – School of Public Administration. I grew up along the Salish Sea on unceded Tsleil-Waututh territory and am a writer, researcher, storyteller and political ecologist at the University of Victoria. I’m particularly excited…

Leanne Kelly

I am a Métis/Cree cis-gendered woman originally from Saskatchewan’s Qu’appelle Valley. I’ve worked in First Nations community and public health as an RN for over thirty years in various communities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. …
NancyShackelford

Nancy Shackelford

Academic Director of the Restoration of Natural Systems Program, UVic I am a native Texan, having settled here in the beautiful lands of the Lekwungen peoples in 2020 to take on the position of Academic Director of the Restoration of Natural…
JeanPaulRestoule

Jean Paul Restoule

Professor, UVic Education / Director of Indigenous Education Boozhoo! I am Anishinaabe from Dokis First Nation, and French-Canadian from what is currently called Ontario. I am a grateful visitor on Lekwungen territory. I’m a Professor and…
Murphy-Matt

Matt Murphy

Associate Professor, Sustainability & Strategy, School of Business, UVic My name is Matt Murphy and I am grateful to live and work, as an uninvited guest, on the WSÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən territories. I am originally from Comanche…
John Lutz

John Lutz

Professor, UVic History I teach and study the history of the Greater Victoria area as well as British Columbia more generally at the University of Victoria and have written a book on the history of Indigenous-settler relations: Makuk: A New…
Matt Huculak

Matt Huculak

UVic Library / Director of Digital Commons Staff As Head of Advanced Research Services at UVic Libraries, I love connecting people with information and digital tools to do the work they love. I am passionate about teaching and learning and…
Corntassel_Jeff

Jeff Corntassel

Associate Professor, UVic Indigenous Studies Osiyo! My name is Jeff Kanohalidoh Corntassel and I’m from the Cherokee Nation. I have lived with my family on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples since 2003. I am…
Crystal Tremblay

Crystal Tremblay

UVic Community Engaged Scholarship - Special Advisor to Provost I have been a visitor on the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples territories for over 16 years, originating from Quebec with French-Canadian, Irish, Scottish and German ancestry.…

Darcy Mathews

,
Assistant Professor, School of Environmental Studies, UVic. UVic Academic Co-Leads I am an Archaeologist and Ethnoecologist working primarily via UVic with the Songhees Nation. We are working collaboratively at Tl’ches (Chatham/Discovery…
Heather Castleden

Heather Castleden

Professor and Impact Chair in Transformative Governance for Planetary Health Hello! My name is Heather, which is the name given to a flowering evergreen plant that thrives on the peaty barren lands of Scotland, where my ancestors are…

Community Partners

David Jackson

Director of Science Venture University of Victoria (BIO coming soon)
Kyle Clarke

Kyle Clarke

,
Education Coordinator Kyle is of Ukrainian, Irish, and Métis ancestry who grew up on the W̱SÁNEĆ territory. Recently, Kyle graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. He…

Kaeli Dyer

Bio Coming Soon.
PeterPare

Peter Paré

ṮEṮÁĆES Climate Action Project I am an emeritus Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of British Columbia and a Clinician Scientist at St Paul’s Hospital and the UBC Center for Heart Lung Innovation. I…
Deb Morrison - small

Deb Morrison

Islands Trust, TETACES, University of Washington I am Deb Morrison, a climate and anti-oppression activist, scientist, learning scientist, educator, mother, locally elected official, and many other things besides (www.debmorrison.me). My…

Bruce Kilpatrick

Communications Advisor I’m honoured to be part of the Living Lab team and to support the important work it does. In late 2020, I retired from my 26-year role as the executive director of communications + marketing and director of communications…

Soren Henrich

Chair of the Friends of Bowker Creek I am a founding director of the Friends of Bowker Creek Society (2018) for urban watershed renewal. I am interested in collaboration with the Living Lab project, and am a partner signatory for NSERC and…
MayaHamel

Maya Hamel

Esquimalt Nation, Program Supervisor Hello, my name is Maya Hamel. I was born in Hefei, China. I was adopted and brought to Canada, where I grew up on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Victoria 7 years ago. I am grateful…
Joachim (Yogi) Carolsfeld

Joachim (Yogi) Carolsfeld

Director of World Fisheries Trust I am grateful to have spent over 25 years working from Lekwungen territory in environmental education, environmental research, and international development as leader of the non-profit World Fisheries Trust.…