Staff
Colby
Coordinator, Mycelium Program
[email protected]
Danielle
Manager, Yúusnewas Program
[email protected]
pronouns: they, them, theirs
Danielle is a mixed Settler and Two-spirit vagabond still trying to find their ties to the land and culture on Turtle Island. They are a self-proclaimed “rat man” who has no strong opinions about anything other than Indigenous autonomy, sovereignty, and physical comfort items. Danielle was born in and moved back to the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh nations. They lived on the traditional territories of the Nehiyaw, Denesuliné, Nakota Sioux, Anishinabae and Niitsitapi nations (Edmonton, Alberta) from 1998 to 2018. Their ancestors are a part of the Lake Babine nation, located near what is known as Burns Lake, British Columbia. They are interested in cosplay, anime (subs only), and abolishing colonial systems. Out of work they can be found on their couch getting their soul sucked through their wallet by Genshin Impact, or “just ma’ chillen” outside on a walk or in a park around the city.
pronouns: they, them, theirs
Danielle is a mixed Settler and Two-spirit vagabond still trying to find their ties to the land and culture on Turtle Island. They are a self-proclaimed “rat man” who has no strong opinions about anything other than Indigenous autonomy, sovereignty, and physical comfort items. Danielle was born in and moved back to the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh nations. They lived on the traditional territories of the Nehiyaw, Denesuliné, Nakota Sioux, Anishinabae and Niitsitapi nations (Edmonton, Alberta) from 1998 to 2018. Their ancestors are a part of the Lake Babine nation, located near what is known as Burns Lake, British Columbia. They are interested in cosplay, anime (subs only), and abolishing colonial systems. Out of work they can be found on their couch getting their soul sucked through their wallet by Genshin Impact, or “just ma’ chillen” outside on a walk or in a park around the city.
Desireah
Educator, Yúusnewas Program
[email protected]
Pronouns: They/them/theirs
Desireah Eustache is Two-Spirit with family from the Simpcw First Nation and mixed settler descent. They currently live on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ Təməxʷ, Sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬTəməxʷ, Šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ Təməxʷ, and other Coast Salish Peoples. Their formative years were spent near Harrison Hot Springs, Stó:Lō land, where they found a love of music and then later dance and flow arts. They are now an audio engineer and musician under the moniker “The Understanding” and hold a firm belief that “souls love one another.” Tḵáya Speqpéq is the name of the community gathering initiative they have spent the last year collaborating on with their partner with support from the 4Rs. Their work is centered in connection to land, as they currently do programming and workshops in X̱wemelch'stn pen̓em̓áy (Harmony Garden), located in X̱wemelch'stn of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. There is an emphasis on their gatherings being a safe space for Two Spirit youth led by Two Spirit youth where they can feel free to express themselves.
Pronouns: They/them/theirs
Desireah Eustache is Two-Spirit with family from the Simpcw First Nation and mixed settler descent. They currently live on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ Təməxʷ, Sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬTəməxʷ, Šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ Təməxʷ, and other Coast Salish Peoples. Their formative years were spent near Harrison Hot Springs, Stó:Lō land, where they found a love of music and then later dance and flow arts. They are now an audio engineer and musician under the moniker “The Understanding” and hold a firm belief that “souls love one another.” Tḵáya Speqpéq is the name of the community gathering initiative they have spent the last year collaborating on with their partner with support from the 4Rs. Their work is centered in connection to land, as they currently do programming and workshops in X̱wemelch'stn pen̓em̓áy (Harmony Garden), located in X̱wemelch'stn of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. There is an emphasis on their gatherings being a safe space for Two Spirit youth led by Two Spirit youth where they can feel free to express themselves.
Jessamyn
Coordinator, Mycelium Program
[email protected]
pronouns: any
Jessamyn is a queer settler living on the homelands of the Musqueam people. When not at their desk, Jessamyn can be found babying their senior dogs and thinking about bringing more animal friends into their life.
pronouns: any
Jessamyn is a queer settler living on the homelands of the Musqueam people. When not at their desk, Jessamyn can be found babying their senior dogs and thinking about bringing more animal friends into their life.
Jibreel
Support Worker, Positive Youth Program
[email protected]
pronouns: he, him his
Jibreel Moore was born in the United States and is temporarily living and studying on unceded Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Stó꞉lō lands. His studies are being conducted at Simon Fraser University, and he is a part of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Jibreel hopes to utilize his education and time on these lands by learning more about the racialized and marginalized groups of Canada and to use that knowledge to give back to the equity-deserving communities. Jibreel has over 7 years of experience working in the healthcare sector and finds fulfillment in helping people and improving their quality of life. When he is not working, Jibreel spends his free time playing a multitude of video games from World of Warcraft to FIFA, and also LOVES DJ’ing and has been producing music since 2010!
pronouns: he, him his
Jibreel Moore was born in the United States and is temporarily living and studying on unceded Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Stó꞉lō lands. His studies are being conducted at Simon Fraser University, and he is a part of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Jibreel hopes to utilize his education and time on these lands by learning more about the racialized and marginalized groups of Canada and to use that knowledge to give back to the equity-deserving communities. Jibreel has over 7 years of experience working in the healthcare sector and finds fulfillment in helping people and improving their quality of life. When he is not working, Jibreel spends his free time playing a multitude of video games from World of Warcraft to FIFA, and also LOVES DJ’ing and has been producing music since 2010!
Mery
Coordinator, Positive Youth Program
[email protected]
pronouns: she, her, hers
Mery was born in Eritrea and grew up in Ethiopia as a refugee before immigrating to the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh 7 years ago. She has been volunteering with YouthCO since 2019 and has been involved in the community for over 4 years now. When not working, Mery loves spending time with family and friends.
pronouns: she, her, hers
Mery was born in Eritrea and grew up in Ethiopia as a refugee before immigrating to the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh 7 years ago. She has been volunteering with YouthCO since 2019 and has been involved in the community for over 4 years now. When not working, Mery loves spending time with family and friends.
Nona
Executive Director
[email protected]
pronouns: she, her, hers
Nona is from the Ditidaht First Nations. She moved to the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh nations in 2016 to finish her Bachelor of Education at UBC. She is excited about this role because it incorporates teaching, working with Indigenous youth and decolonzing work. Outside of the office, Nona can be found cuddling with her cat, hiking or exploring new places.
pronouns: she, her, hers
Nona is from the Ditidaht First Nations. She moved to the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh nations in 2016 to finish her Bachelor of Education at UBC. She is excited about this role because it incorporates teaching, working with Indigenous youth and decolonzing work. Outside of the office, Nona can be found cuddling with her cat, hiking or exploring new places.
Scotty
Director, Operations & Finance
[email protected]
pronouns: they, them, theirs
Scotty is a white settler raised under prairie skies on Tsuut'ina, Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Stoney Nakoda territories. A details wizard, they work alongside community leaders to turn visions into workflows. They are happiest knee-deep in databases, stories, and snow.
pronouns: they, them, theirs
Scotty is a white settler raised under prairie skies on Tsuut'ina, Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Stoney Nakoda territories. A details wizard, they work alongside community leaders to turn visions into workflows. They are happiest knee-deep in databases, stories, and snow.
Stevie
Manager, Mycelium Program
[email protected]
pronouns: they, them, theirs
Stevie is a queer, non-binary settler of mixed Indigenous-settler ancestry. They are néhiyaw from the Michel First Nation and of Norwegian, Scottish and Russian decent. They grew up on traditional, stolen, Katzie territory and are now live on the traditional, stolen territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Nations. They are passionate about anti-oppression, decolonization, harm reduction, holistic wellbeing, and accessible education. Stevie is at their happiest when surrounded by loved ones, floating in natural bodies of water, tending to their plants, eating delicious food or cuddling with animals.
pronouns: they, them, theirs
Stevie is a queer, non-binary settler of mixed Indigenous-settler ancestry. They are néhiyaw from the Michel First Nation and of Norwegian, Scottish and Russian decent. They grew up on traditional, stolen, Katzie territory and are now live on the traditional, stolen territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Nations. They are passionate about anti-oppression, decolonization, harm reduction, holistic wellbeing, and accessible education. Stevie is at their happiest when surrounded by loved ones, floating in natural bodies of water, tending to their plants, eating delicious food or cuddling with animals.
Tanny
Educator, Yúusnewas Program
[email protected]
pronouns: she, her, hers
Neh’tanis (Tanny) is a Métis, Cree, and Sioux Educator living in Smithers on the unceded land of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Neh’tanis holds strong beliefs in Youth supporting, educating, and uplifting other Youth. She has always had a passion for harm reduction and holds strong beliefs in cultural based, non-stigmatizing, and non-oppressive approaches. Outside of work she can be found having adventures in nature with friends, going to music festivals, and hanging out with her cats.
pronouns: she, her, hers
Neh’tanis (Tanny) is a Métis, Cree, and Sioux Educator living in Smithers on the unceded land of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Neh’tanis holds strong beliefs in Youth supporting, educating, and uplifting other Youth. She has always had a passion for harm reduction and holds strong beliefs in cultural based, non-stigmatizing, and non-oppressive approaches. Outside of work she can be found having adventures in nature with friends, going to music festivals, and hanging out with her cats.