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 is excited about utilizing his skills and knowledge of land stewardship to promote ecosystem restoration, protection, and education as a way to heal the places that shaped his adoration for the natural world. He has designed an Indigenous Foodplant garden in Sylix territory (Okanagan) that promotes food sovereignty and reintroduces culturally significant food plants to communities. Kyle has run outdoor elementary programs for two years and focuses his work around developing deep relationships with the students. He hopes that his knowledge and passion for nature inspires the students at the PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Native Plant Nursery and Garden to generate a deeper connection to their land and culture.

Sarah-Jim

Sarah Jim

Stewardship Coordinator

I am a member of the W̱SÁNEĆ nation from the Tseycum village and have been working with PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ since 2018 and with the Living Lab Project since 2019. Living Lab and PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ allow me to work in a culturally significant place called SṈIDȻEȽ; the first W̱SÁNEĆ village site. Working on the land and being with community members and knowledge keepers has allowed me to learn ancestral plant knowledge and traditional ways of being. I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Victoria and have merged my two loves; art and plants. Creating place-based artwork of my homelands and waters allows me to educate others about the importance of native plant food systems and coastal medicines concerning the ecosystem and W̱SÁNEĆ culture.

sarahjimstudio.com

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” work, especially organizing restoration activities for youth and the community. I’m deeply passionate about the healing work of restoration and building community-based capacity for long-term and widespread ecosystem restoration with a core foundation of indigenous land sovereignty.