Chair

Sammy is an Indigenous researcher, professional agrologist (PAg), and entrepreneur. Sammy was a founding director of the Smokehouse Foundation and has served in many roles since inception. Sammy is currently living in the shared territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən, MÁLEXEȽ, Sc’ianew, T'Sou-ke, Xwsepsum Nations. Born in Whitehorse, Yukon and living there for much of his youth, he was exposed from a young age to a life rooted in the natural world and a deep respect for local Indigenous people and cultures. As a descendent of Cree & Dene peoples, a proud member of the Fort McMurray #468 First Nation, and descended from European colonial settlers (English, French, & Swedish). Sammy is always walking, learning, and working in the boundary between Indigenous and Western cultures. Sammy has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria, with a Double Major in Geography and Environmental Studies. His research interests are focused primarily on ecological design and restoration, Indigenous food sovereignty, Indigenous Guardian programs, and collaborative stewardship initiatives.

Vice Chair

Hiinahcit is an educator in Land-Based learning and Decolonizing Permaculture with a focus on Self Determination and Sovereignty through project managing medicinal gardens, food forests, seed collecting and revitalizing harvesting protocols building international relationships.
Being raised with Nuu-chah-nulth traditional plant knowledge she eventually found her niche growing plants and medicine while learning Western Herbal Medicine with Wild Rose College. She continued her Herbal Medicine education in Washington State learning Alchemic Herbalism through The School of Evolutionary Herbalism, then moved forward with deepening her land-based knowledge from Earth Activist
Training where she became PIMA certified in Permaculture and now co- teaches in-person Certificate trainings with her mentors. Hiinahcit’s hobbies include harvesting, falconry and painting.

Treasurer

Jamie, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), joined the Smokehouse Foundation in 2020. Articling at Grant Thornton for 3 years, Jamie specialized in audit and corporate tax before joining the financial reporting team at Plena Global Holdings. He is currently the Finance Director at Rock Gear Distribution, an outdoor sporting goods distribution company in the Southern Albertan Rockies. He loves spending time outside exploring the mountains and coast with his young family and friends.

Adrien has grown up between the Tla-o-quiaht, Nuu-chah-nulth, K’ómoks and Kwakwaka’wakw territories of Vancouver Island and the west coast of mainland B.C. and is a founding director of the Smokehouse Foundation. Transitioning from commercial fishing 10 years ago he has worked as an operations manager, program director, and outreach liaison for tourism operations as well as a lead on conservation projects for other charities. He is currently the program director of digital programming founded on growing non resource extractive economies in coastal communities. The focus of his work has been creating education and mentorship programs for youth and adults to connect with environmental stewardship and professional development.

Jodi is a clinical counsellor in training, currently obtaining a Masters in Counselling Psychology. Previous to this she worked as a fundraising professional for the better part of a decade. Her love for helping people has been her guiding light in her career and her respect for all humans drives her passion in ensuring that support is available to all. Jodi’s love for the outdoors is what brought her to Canada’s West Coast after years of traveling. She now resides in Victoria, BC where you can find her hiking the trails with her dog most days.

Mikaila grew up in Abbotsford, before moving to Victoria in 2010. She has been practicing law in BC since 2019. Her practice covers a wide range of areas including personal injury, family, construction litigation, and commercial matters. Her legal expertise allows her to approach situations analytically and empathetically. She has completed the Collaborative Practice Training in Family Law and is the Chair of the CBABC Civil Litigation-Vancouver Island Section. She is dedicated to creating positive and sustainable solutions for the better development of individuals and communities. Mikaila enjoys running, cycling, and spending time at the beach.

Finance Manager

Mark is an experienced accountant and bookkeeper who has worked in several industries including technology, agriculture, theatre, and for various charitable organizations and not-for-profit societies. Mark graduated from the University of Colorado with a double major in accounting and finance in 2016 and has lived and worked in several communities in British Columbia and around Canada since then.