A warm welcome to our new Board Directors

It is with bittersweet excitement that the Speĺkúmtn Community Forest (SCF) announces the departure of our Interim Board Member group. Chief Dean Nelson, Councillor Ted Craddock, Sheena Fraser (who replaced former Village of Pemberton CAO Nikki Gilmore), Mayor Mike Richman, Kerry Mehaffey and Councillor Maxine Bruce – who will be staying on as a Director - made up the core group that was instrumental to the decades-long visioning process for the SCF, from idea to official Forest Tenure Agreement. Over the past three years, this board has overseen the active operations within the tenure area, drafted governance policies to guide the SCF Partnership, and fostered positive relationships between partnering communities and stakeholders. These individuals have helped build the foundation from which our new Board members will guide the SCF towards its vision and mission.

We welcome our new Board members. SCF will be in good hands with the breadth and depth of experience they bring:

Allen McEwan - Is a fourth generation Pemberton Valley resident who has an understanding of the evolution of forest practices over the past 40 years. Through a lengthy commitment to Pemberton Wildlife Association, Allen also has a depth of knowledge of non-timber resources and local biodiversity.

Ulla Clark – Had a 20+ year journey in forestry in Canada, Vietnam, and northern Sweden before opening a local business in Pemberton. She has strong relationships in both communities and connects to the territory through recreation and harvesting.

Councillor Katrina Nightingale – Has a deep love and respect for the natural world, spending time in the wilderness and her own garden. She is a teacher in special education, previously in schools and now as a tutor. Katrina is a dedicated community member in the valley through volunteer work and now as a Village of Pemberton Councillor.

Hayden Leo – Has worked with Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures and learned to manage the land around the community. He is currently studying Forest Ecology Management. Hayden is experienced with Boards through working with VIDEA, a non-profit organization that supports youth leadership in sustainable solutions for climate change.

Vanessa Dan – Has worked for Líl̓wat Nation for 35 years, currently as a Fisheries, Environment and Cultural Technician for the Líl̓wat Lands department. She is a mother and grandmother and, for as long as she can remember, has been a protector of land and what pertains to it with a passion for conversations about land stewardship, rights, and practices.

Kukwstum’ckál’ap - Thank you to all