Our Team

K’aayhl’taa Haanas Valine Brown, Co-Founder and Executive Director

Valine, a K’aawas Eagle, dedicates her life and energy towards justice, Indigenous rights and title and defending Haida Gwaii from the threat of large-scale oil and gas export projects. She believes in the power of people and connection to place and is deeply committed to contributing to resilience. She finds joy in growing and harvesting food, playing with her xalang, and being with family. She’s proud of many things Swiilawiid has accomplished, especially the Hlk’yak’ii program, in partnership with the Haida Gwaii Museum.

Gwaay K’iiyanda Aaliyah Arens, Youth Ambassador (summer 2023)

Gwaay K’iiyanda who was born into the Eagle clan of the Maaman Gitanee. She grew up in Masset and also has deep roots in HlGaagilda. Gwaay K’iiyanda currently resides on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation and is going into her third year in the fall of 2023 with a Major in First Nations and Indigenous Studies and a minor in Political Science at the University of British Columbia. She grew up on Haida Gwaii learning about her culture, and language and also was fortunate to be able to visit many of Haida Gwaii’s ancient and ancestral village sites. Gwaay K’iiyanda is very excited for this opportunity with Swiilawiid and knows the importance of being stewards of our beautiful Islands.

Taangguunaay Grinder, Youth Ambassador (summer 2022)

Taanggunaay, born into the Kaayahl Laanas/Ts’aahl clan, is a recent graduate of GidGalang Kuuyas Naay Secondary. In the fall, she’ll be pursuing a bachelor's degree in communications and creative writing at Capilano University. In addition to being a Youth Ambassador with Swiilawiid, she is a peer support worker with Hiit’aGan.iina Kuuyas Naay (the Skidegate Youth Centre), which is the perfect position for her to further participate in what she is most passionate about: talking and connecting with her community. Taanggunaay believes Haida Gwaii is one of the most sacred places in the world, that Haida that land deserves to be preserved and taken care of, she says, “sustainability in any form is vital to that process.”

Jaad Tl’aaw Paula Varnell, Engagement Lead (2022) + Curriculum Development

Jaad Tl’aaw belongs to an unbroken line of Haida weavers and language speakers. She is the owner of The House of Haida Weavers, the Program Coordinator for the Skidegate Haida Language Nest, a member of the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program, and an apprentice in the Skidegate Haida Mentor Apprentice Program. Paula holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Northern British Columbia, with a two-year concentration in Haida language and culture. In the continuation of her great naanii Ilst’ayaa Selina Adams Peratrovich’s legacy, she provides traditional Haida weaving and harvesting immersion experiences on Haida Gwaii with her naanii Ilskyalas Delores Churchill and mother Xiihliikingang April Churchill.

Niisii Guujaaw, Co-Founder and Director

Niisii belongs to the Kayahl ‘laanas clan of Ts'aahl and has a combined degree of Marine Biology and Indigenous Studies from UBC. She now works in marine planning for the Haida Nation, and otherwise can be found learning Xaayda Kil, learning to grow and gather food, or on the water with family. She's excited about sustainability and renewable energy on Haida Gwaii, because energy independence empowers our communities to continue to protect these islands from resource extraction and other industrial threats. As an auntie, she’s proud to see younger generations leading in the shift to energy independence, and is committed to the responsibility to steward the lands and waters who give so much to us.

Lucy Neville, Co-Founder and Director

Lucy has worked throughout the Islands in stewardship and place-based education, and holds an HonBSc in Environmental Science and an MA in Law. A career firefighter, novice gardener, and saltwater enthusiast, she is passionate about the power of community-based leadership to drive the shift to sustainable, sovereign energy systems. Lucy visualizes Swiilawiid’s work as that of a nuu octopus: “we act as a conduit; we use our tentacles within the community to connect knowledge, people and vision.”

Brady Yu, Co-Founder and Director

Chair, Policy + Partnerships

Brady works in policy, paramedicine, and volunteers as a firefighter. They see the transition to renewable energy as an important part of Haida sovereignty, reciprocity and climate action. Brady has an HonBSc in Biology, Chemistry and English, and an MSc in Natural Resource Management. He is a parent to twin toddlers, and is passionate about spending time outdoors, travelling and sharing food with friends.

Jaalen Edenshaw, Director

Jaalen is a father, and carver who draws his inspiration from the lands, waters and culture of Haida Gwaii. His philosophy is that with all that this land has given us, we must give back. He believes that we cannot take this place for granted and we cannot continue to rely on fossil fuels while we are fighting to protect our homelands from oil and gas industries. When asked what guides Swiilawiid’s work, Jaalen said, “a big part of why we all came together is because we’re trying to create something positive. We want to use our energies to look after this land and see some positive change.”

Gwaliga Hart, Director

Gwaliga is a Gak’yaals Kiigawaay Raven and has worked in various complementary fields around Haida Gwaii. He has a degree in Anthropology with a focus in First Nations Languages and Linguistics from UBC. Gwaliga believes in yahgudang respect for all things and he understands that in order to continue living traditions and values on Haida Gwaii, we have to take care of this place and live in accordance. He is passionate about helping protect and take care of Haida Gwaii, working cooperatively, and growing a better future for the next generations.

Guusdagang Mary Elizabeth Hart, Director

Chair, Communications + Resources and Events

Guusdagang Mary Elizabeth Hart is a proud Haida belonging to the Gak'yaals Kiigawaay Raven Clan. She is a Cultural Resource Management Officer at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. Since its inception, Mary has been a fan of Swiilawiid’s work and she’s now excited to be a part of a place-based organization working towards a bright and clean future for her son and the whole Islands' community on Haida Gwaii.