Our Board of Directors
Councillor Maxine Bruce
Maxine is an elected leader and the Territorial Stewardship Manager for the Líl'wat Nation. Maxine feels honoured and proud to work for her community so she can give back and help incorporate her Nation's culture into her work. She's grateful for the opportunity to take the approach of being an Ucwalmicw Tmicw (one with the land) because she knows that whatever impacts the land also impacts her, and all of the Líl'wat territory's inhabitants.
Ulla Clark
Ulla has had a 20+ year forestry journey 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.
Vanessa Dan
Vanessa 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.
Hayden Leo
Hayden 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.
Councillor Katrina Nightingale
Katrina 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.
Allen McEwan
Allen 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.
Executive Director
Andrea Blaikie
Andrea comes to Spel'kúmtn with a background in the outdoors and education. She is passionate about building relationships and creating opportunities for community members and youth to engage and learn in the Community Forest. Outside of work hours, she volunteers for local organizations and youth programs, attends Líl'wat culture and Ucwalmicwts language class and loves spending time in the remote parts of the territory and tenure.