A̱ka̱la Society is an Outdoor Education non-profit operated by a group of Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w citizens.
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Taylor, T̕łaliłila̱’og̱wa
Board Member – Elder Representative
Elizabeth H. Taylor- nee: Willie. I am the 8th Child of the late Charles E. Willie & Emily M. Willie Nee: Scow. I was married to the Late James E. Taylor, together we had 6 Children. One of our children passed away. I took Grade 12 in Alert Bay. I went to Douglas College after I was 30 years old & I attended Langara College and graduated with a Social Work Certificate in 1979. Head of Social Work Program for the Namgis from 1979 to 1987. I attended University of Victoria to get my degree in Social Work but that didn’t happen. I had 2 years to get my Degree. We lost our Daughter in August of 1988. I was the Victims Services Worker for the Namgis from 1989 to 1996. In 1999 I was hired as Health Director for the Dzawada̱’enux̱w First Nation and I retired in 2011. I adopted my granddaughter. I took a course at UBC and received a Certificate in Aboriginal Health Care Administration. Retirement didn’t agree with me. I am currently working as the Dzawada̱’enux̱w First Nation Community Health Worker and Patient Travel Clerk Assistant
Grace Johnson, Malidi
Board Member – Vice President
My name is Grace Johnson ( nee Moon) my mother is Evelyn Moon from Kingcome Inlet my father is Dennis Wilson of Scottish and Irish descent. I am married to Sandy Johnson . Presently I am a student North Island College taking the Aboriginal Leadership Course. I have been a Family Networker in the Comox community for about 3 years prior and received my certificate as a Community Mental Health worker at VIU before that. I look forward to being of service to our community.
Jessica Key, Kwanxwalaogwa
Board Member – President
Jessica Key a member of the Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w People. She is a registered nurse working with youth facing mental health and substance use issues in North Vancouver. A career focus includes implementing and delivering culturally safe care for indigenous clients and youth in health care settings. Jessica brings a mental health and wellness focus to the A̱ka̱la programs. Her vision is to use connection and engagement with traditional territory as a mental wellness intervention to support mental and emotional health.
Kayla Gambler, P̕atłalagilakw
Board Member – Member-at-Large
Kayla Gambler (she/her) is a two-spirit woman who comes from the Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w and Minegoziibe Anishinabe (treaty 4) territories and was raised within the Unceded and Traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations, now known as Vancouver. As a young Indigenous person, Kayla faced much adversity and sought a life of healing for herself and her community. Kayla began her helping career in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver as a support worker for Indigenous women. Through her own personal and professional experiences, Kayla pursued an education that would allow her to better serve her community. Kayla began her academic journey at Douglas College in the Youth Justice program and has now begun her pursuit towards a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Victoria. Through her personal, professional, and academic journey, Kayla has found a love for land-based healing and recognizes the importance of strengthening our relationships to the land, water, language, culture, and community. Kayla wholeheartedly supports A̱ka̱la Outdoor Education Society and is proud to be a contributing board member in the pursuit to provide land and water based opportunities to Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w descendants.
Lindsey Willie, Amya’xid
Board Member – Treasurer
Lindsey is a member of the Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w People, living and working in the remote village of Uk̕wanalis— Kingcome Inlet, BC. Her film making explores Indigenous identities, particularly by youth who are hungry to learn their ancestral knowledge and wisdom from their elders. Willie explores the revitalization of her community’s language, culture, and arts, and in doing so, helps to recover and sustain Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w artistic heritage. She now works as the Administrator and Program Coordinator for Nunwakola Cultural Society.
Robert Smith
Board Member – Member-At-Large
I’m Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w. My Mom’s from Kingcome Inlet on BC’s central coast. I grew up in my Dad’s territory. He is Tlingit from Whitehorse. I’m a father of three beautiful daughters and I’m a brand new Grandpa to my first grandson. Currently I’m ten years in as Video journalist with Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN) Investigates. I started 1989 in the north. Don’t make me count the years. A shooter, editor, director, producer for Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon. In 2000, I freelanced after my move to Vancouver. In 2006 I found myself with a gig I loved: BC correspondent for APTN national news.
Steven Smith
Board Member – Member-At-Large
Steven has strong ancestral connections to the Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw. He is a descendant of the Scow, James, Willie and ‘Smith(McLeod) families from the Musgamakw Dzawada̱e’nux̱w. In recent years, Steven worked managing all camp operations during the final stages of construction and the first year of operations for the camp currently in Hada. He is now working full time as a language apprentice for Nawalakw with the dream and vision to unite and facilitate collaboration opportunities between all Kwakwak̕a’wakw involved in language revitalization. As the language comes from the lands and waters, Steven sees the work that A̱ka̱la is doing as crucial to the health and wellness of all Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w for generations to come.
Staff
Jules Power, Ik’sta̱mgilag̱ame’
General Manager and YLPP/Canoe Journey/Lilawagila Instructor & Instructor Trainer, julia@akalasociety.com
Jules (she/them) is one of the founders of A̱ka̱la Outdoor Education Society. Exploring their traditional territories and connecting to their relatives gave them a purpose and an identity. They want to create access to the land for fellow Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w, so that others can experience and connect to the places that their ancestors thrived. Jules identifies as non-binary. They are a Paddle Canada certified Coastal Canoe Instructor, apprenticing as a spruce weaver, and are learning to become a trapper.
Agathe Bernard
Program Coordinator, info@akalasociety.com
My name is Agathe (pronounced Agat), I am a conservation and adventure photographer/filmmaker, and live partially on my sailboat on Vancouver Island. I specialize in female adventures in remote environments, creating climate change and ocean conservation narratives while giving voice to minority communities. I find purpose in sharing my expertise and knowledge as an earth scientist to encourage people to be innovative and proactive in their decision-making. I am passionate about giving voice to indigenous communities and supporting their reconnection with nature. I completed graduate studies in Environmental Education and Communication to bring positive, inspiring, and hopeful narratives. I am the former Director of Communications for the North Columbia Environmental Society. I am thrilled to support A̱ka̱la is developing more environmental education projects.
Danielle Dawson, T̕sa̱nabidu
YLPP/Canoe Journey Co-Instructor
Dani, daughter of Dawnielle Robertson, came on as an A̱ka̱la Instructor for the Women and Gender-diverse Canoe Journey in 2023 and has since instructed on the YLPP – Chill 2023, and the Canoe Journey 2024. She attended the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training (COLT) at Strathcona Park Lodge as part of Nawalakw’s language team in 2021. Her ever increasing knowledge of our language and her determination to learn more about our lands and waters makes Dani a great instructor and mentor.
Dante Willie, Tłaxbe
YLPP Co-Instructor
Dante, son of Hikem Willie and Gina McKay, started his love of canoeing in 2021 when he took a canoe skills course designed for Nawalakw staff. Right off the bat he demonstrated that he was a strong paddler. He has attended each paddle program since then and continues to show that he is a strong leader. He is an A̱ka̱la instructor, as well as a certified Paddle Canada Instructor.
Emmily Wildman
YLPP Co-Instructor, Board Member – Member-at-Large
Emmily, daughter of Roberta Willie and Omar Wildman started with the YLPP i 2018 when she was 14. She has attended each program since then and is now an A̱ka̱la instructor, as well as a certified Paddle Canada Instructor. Her vibrant energy and love of canoeing combine to spread joy and love for our lands and waters. She knows our territory so well, a skill that she will pass on to younger generations.
Shawn Kangro
YLPP/Moving Water Instructor & Instructor Trainer
Shawn has been a Paddle Canada certified canoe instructor since 2007. Since then, he has worked primarily leading youth as a wilderness expedition canoe guide and instructor both in Alaska and around Vancouver Island. Shawn has also spent the last six years training staff in wilderness expedition leadership at Alaska Crossings, a therapeutic wilderness program for youth. He currently works part-time as a Restorative Justice Facilitator with the RCMP for the city of Burnaby. Shawn is thrilled to be invited again to work with Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w youth in their territory.