2026 Speakers and Presenters

Christy Smith is a member of the K’ómoks First Nation and a recognized leader in bridging Indigenous perspectives with the natural resource sector. She holds a Bachelor of Native Studies from the University of Alberta and an MBA from the University of Northern British Columbia. With over 25 years of experience, Christy has worked extensively at the interface of Indigenous communities and resource companies, serving in leadership roles such as Senior Vice President Indigenous Interests and Community Wellbeing at Falkirk Environmental Consultants, Vice President of Sustainability at TDG Gold Corp., and director of Talisker Resources Ltd.

 Christy is co-author of Weaving Two Worlds: Economic Reconciliation Between Indigenous Peoples and the Resource Sector, a book that combines Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives to guide resource companies in building respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities. Known for her relationship-centered approach and commitment to decolonizing business practices, Christy works to foster trust, equity, and meaningful collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and the resource sector, while drawing on her deep connection to her community, heritage, and the land.

Dr. Rudy Reimer (Yumks) is a member of the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and an Associate Professor of Archaeology at Simon Fraser University, where he holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Community-Based Archaeology. His work brings together western scientific methods and Indigenous Knowledge systems to illuminate long-standing relationships between people, culture, and place across the Northwest Coast, Interior Plateau, and western Subarctic.

Grounded in his home territory around the Salish Sea, Dr. Reimer’s research uses geoarchaeological and archeometric techniques and aligns these data with Indigenous oral histories, toponymy, and ancestral memory. His approach centres Indigenous priorities, working collaboratively with communities to ensure results are accessible, relevant, and support cultural continuity. His long-term work in Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound exemplifies this commitment, bringing together archaeology, ecology, and Indigenous Knowledge to understand deep-time human–environment relationships across this culturally and ecologically significant region.

Dr. Reimer is also widely known as a public educator and communicator. He is co-host of Wild Archaeology on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), an award-winning series that travels across Canada to explore archaeological sites and highlight Indigenous leadership in uncovering and interpreting the past. He has also appeared in other educational programs, helping dispel misconceptions about Indigenous history and deepen public understanding of the scientific and cultural significance of archaeological work.

Through his scholarship, community partnerships, and public storytelling, Dr. Reimer has become a leading voice in Indigenous archaeology; advancing research that is scientifically rigorous, culturally grounded, and committed to community wellbeing and sovereignty.

Architect AIBC, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Associate, Perkins&Will

Alex is an architect and urban thinker working at the intersection of design and technology. His passion for design initially began behind the lens of a camera. Immersed in a vibrant arts community and captivated by the dynamics of urban life. Through studies in photography, interaction design and architecture, Alex deepened his understanding of design as integral to daily life, inspiring him to see the built environment as the ultimate in creative expression. With extensive experience designing complex mixed-use developments and cultural facilities around the world, Alex brings a versatile, multidisciplinary perspective to every project. He is known for bridging big-picture vision with detailed, technical execution, and for leading design and project teams with clarity, collaboration, and creativity. His work focuses on shaping meaningful spaces and civic destinations that elevate and inspire communities.

M.Arch, Heritage Conservation Advisor, Heritage Places Conservation Division, Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)

Allison Ward holds a Master of Architecture specializing in Heritage and Conservation from the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Toulouse as well as a B.A. (Hons) in Architecture and Philosophy from the University of Toronto. With nearly two decades of experience, her technical expertise is in the design, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings. Her portfolio includes more than 50 built heritage conservation projects completed across Canada, the UK, France, Ireland and Poland. As a Heritage Conservation Advisor at the Canadian Conservation Institute and a member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals, she develops tools and provides recommendations that support equitable and culturally grounded stewardship of historic places.

Curator

Driven by a passion for cultural stewardship and reconciliation, Andrea Terrón is an anthropologist, curator, and museum specialist with over 20 years of experience in cultural heritage, community engagement, and collections care. She currently works at the Museum & Archives of North Vancouver (MONOVA), where she leads initiatives focused on relationship-building and ethical stewardship within museums. She has previously worked with the Bateman Foundation, Guatemala’s National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, and the Popol Vuh Museum, and serves on the Advisory Committee for the British Museum’s International Training Programme.

Director, Squamish Trails Society

Hatched in Squamish (as was my Father). I’ve been a logger, log home builder, always a proud carpenter and more often than not enjoyed a long career in environmental education – stumbling towards a tinge of green. Not automatically a fan of change but love variety and the new. Rather a bee than an ant. A dipper than a sparrow. A mouse than a rat. Like lemon ginger tea, pickled herring and twice baked potatoes. Sat on far too many and always one too few committees. I love to travel but always crave coming home to Brackendale. A bicycle is my preferred office. I draw, carve and have tried to paint – none of them enough. My favourite weather is dramatic.

Curator and Executive Director, Pemberton and District Museum and Archives

Charmaine Carpenter is the Executive Director and Curator of the Pemberton & District Museum and Archives Society in Pemberton, BC. She leads exhibitions, community programming, and long-term planning with a focus on inclusive storytelling and collaboration with local partners. With a background in the arts and culture sector in Whistler and Vancouver, Charmaine brings a creative and community-centred approach to heritage work. She is passionate about connecting people to place, amplifying diverse histories, and shaping museums as welcoming spaces grounded in respect and relationship.

Cheryl is the Executive Director of the award-winning Britannia Mine Museum located in Britannia Beach, BC where she has worked for ten years. A lifelong interest in travel and visiting museums sparked Cheryl to join the team at the Museum where she led the re-development of the Museum’s revenue streams including admissions, retail, as well as expanding food and beverage operations. Cheryl then took on the role Executive Director in 2020. Cheryl’s extensive career has focused on leading destination retail operations in Canadian airports. She is an experienced business executive, entrepreneur and fundraiser with a passion for seeing organizations thrive in reaching their potential.

Senior Associate, Perkins&Will

David is a senior architect with broad experience across all phases of design — from programming and documentation to sustainability, technology integration, and construction. Known for his calm, collaborative approach, he builds consensus across diverse teams and delivers thoughtful solutions on projects of all scales. His portfolio spans healthcare, higher education, civic, science and technology, and commercial sectors.

David’s work is grounded in a belief that architecture is fundamentally about the stewardship of place and the strengthening of connections between people and the environment. His technical expertise and deep understanding of building systems inform both the performance and longevity of his projects. Through thoughtful detailing and strategic system integration, he advances resilient, high-performing buildings that respect context while supporting evolving community needs.

CAHP BCSLA Heritage Conservation Planner, Denise Cook Design

Denise Cook Design is a cultural resource management firm that applies heritage conservation planning, landscape and park planning and interpretation to a diverse range of projects. With a particular focus on cultural landscapes, the firm’s heritage conservation work, interpretation and design sensibility draws upon community history and character while working with all levels of government and the private sector to develop effective and creative heritage conservation, management and design plans.

Deron has been with BMM for almost 10 years and has helped shepherd it through its recent growth phase. Historic preservation and public engagement is a passion of his as is the story of Britannia Beach.

Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia

Desiree Valadares is a landscape architect and architectural historian who studies the heritage politics of preserving Second World War infrastructures and landscapes in western Canada and in former U.S. territories of Hawai’i and Alaska. She conducts field-based and archival research to understand how former confinement sites, including civilian internment camps and prisoner-of-war sites, are stewarded and transformed into sites of national heritage. She is an Assistant Professor at UBC in the Department of Geography and Faculty Affiliate in Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies.

Interpretive Planner & Writer, Red Rock Creative

Diane Mitchell is an interpretive planner and writer, running Red Rock Creative from the unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. She has worked in this realm since 2018, with Red Rock Creative being her full time endeavour since 2021. In this role, Diane works on projects across Canada, primarily helping clients in exhibit development. Prior to this, she was Curator of Education & Collections at the Britannia Mine Museum (2007-2021), where she was the content lead through the museum’s redevelopment project in 2009/10 and had curatorial oversight of BOOM! in Mill 3. Before this, Diane spent 12 years working in curatorial and education roles at the National Museums of Scotland.

Retired Architect, AIBC

Donal has spent over 35 years in the Development industry. A registered architect by trade, his diverse skillset has helped shape the design and masterplanning of resort and residential communities across North America and beyond.

FRAIC, CAHP

Involved in the field of heritage and cultural resource management since 1983, Donald Luxton is the Founding Director of Luxton Heritage Consulting. He is a well-known consultant, advocate, educator and author, and has worked on numerous heritage conservation projects and the development of museums and cultural facilities throughout western Canada. His interest in conservation has led to his continuing involvement with many heritage societies, and he is the author of award-winning publications such as Lions Gate and Building the West: The Early Architects of British Columbia. In 2007, he was elected to the College of Fellows of the RAIC, and received the British Columbia Heritage Award 2009, Heritage BC Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award 2021, and Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award 2022. Donald was accepted as a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter, England in 2020.

Executive Director, Squamish River Watershed Society

Edith Tobe is a Professional Biologist who has been working with the SRWS, which she helped to create, since 1998. Edith has a degree in Biology from the University of Waterloo, a diploma in Resource Engineering Technology from Seneca College of Applied Arts, and a certificate in Watershed Management from UBC. She received the prestigious Governor General Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteerism in 2014 and has been a long-time advocate for responsible environmental practices. Edith has extensive knowledge in watershed management, habitat restoration, and has hiked, flown, swum, and surveyed almost every watercourse in the Squamish watershed. One of her many passions is the Squamish estuary and reminding the importance of healthy functioning natural systems.

VP, Forest History Association of BC

Eric has a degree in Germanic languages (UBC). He has worked mainly in transportation, small scale forestry organizational development and in forest industry communications. He has enjoyed organizing and hosting numerous international study tours. Eric has researched and written about diverse local and regional historical topics, including Squamish Nation history and archival records, Howe Sound maritime history, PGE/ BCR railway, forest industry, tourism and landscape painting history. He is currently compiling a history in maps of his community of Squamish. Eric is a longstanding volunteer with the Sea to Sky Forestry Centre Society interpretive centre project, current Vice-President of the Forest History Association of BC, and has served as an elected municipal councillor since 2018.

Brackendale Farmers Institute Co Pres. and Fall Fair Producer, Signatory Rep on BC Crown Land Tenure agreement with Brackendale Farmers Institute

Glenne Campbell worked in the motion picture industry since 1980. Her work took her around the world and through many historic periods, places and cultures. As a passionate researcher and designer of costume, she had opportunities to work with experts in museums, libraries, material sourcing and artists & makers to showcase world events with storytelling about humanity and all its complexities. In 2014, she was tasked by the previous BFI president to lead the Brackendale Farmers Institute & Fall Fair. At that time, the BC Crown tenure to use the land commonly known as the BFI Walking Park was in place for one week each year till 2017 when a new contract was to be applied for. Tenure was granted in 2019 until 2029, with the understanding that BFI would maintain the park land. In 2025, a MOU was signed by councils of the Squamish Nation and District of Squamish, with one of the main talking points being Land Back potential of the BFI Park. With a huge residential development approved on one side of the park, an unknown future ahead for the stewardship of the park and an unpredictable global scenario, she welcomes you to a place of calm and beauty.

Ph.D., RPCA, Principal and Owner – Campfire Archaeology and Heritage Ltd.

Greg Morrissey is a professional member of the BCAPA, a Permit Holder for the Northwest Coast culture area, and an adjunct professor at SFU. As the owner of Campfire, he has led diverse archaeological projects since 2015. He earned his Ph.D. in Archaeology from Monash University in 2018 and has worked in Canada, Australia, France, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. Greg prioritizes strong working relationships and active participation of Indigenous groups in every archaeological project. Outside of work, Greg spends his time outdoors, camping, climbing, and adventuring with his wife and 3 kids.

M.A. Curator, Britannia Mine Museum

Heather is currently serving as Curator at Britannia Mine Museum. With a background in geology and museum studies, she brings a unique perspective to heritage work, blending her STEM roots with a passion for storytelling, public education, and collections management.

MLIS, Director of Library Services, Squamish Public Library

Hilary has been with the Squamish Public Library since 2002, first as a circulation desk staff member and later as children’s librarian and deputy director. After several years of auxiliary work for the library while raising two small humans, she became the Director of Library Services in January of 2014. Hilary is a member at large on the BC Library Association board, current president of the Sea to Sky Performing Arts Festival Society and passionate fan of her community and the many stories it contains.

Artist, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw

James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry is a contemporary Coast Salish artist from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation whose work explores cultural resurgence through sculpture, architecture, and land-based practice. Trained by his father, Xwalacktun, and holding a BFA from Emily Carr University, Harry creates monumental, immersive works that move beyond representation toward lived spatial experience. Collaborating with architects, developers, and institutions, he embeds Indigenous worldview early in design processes, emphasizing continuity, responsibility, and contemporary authorship. His public artworks throughout British Columbia redefine Indigenous presence in urban and cultural landscapes and advocate for Indigenous leadership as essential to meaningful stewardship and cultural resilience.

Manager of Engineering and Environment, Matthews West

After joining Matthews West in 2016, Jess has played a key role in delivering multi-phased master planned development projects such as the Oceanfront and the Cheekeye in Squamish, BC. With a background in civil engineering, Jess brings a unique project management approach that integrates environmental restoration and community engagement to tackle complex technical challenges in development.

She excels at leading diverse teams of consultants, industry experts, designers, government agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery. Her passion for creating healthy, inclusive, and resilient communities has led to the success of award-winning initiatives like Sp’áḵw’us Feather Park and the groundbreaking Cheekeye Debris Flow Barrier—the first of its kind.

Prior to her work with Matthews West, Jess gained international experience working on remote, community-based developments, focusing on providing access to clean water infrastructure. She is driven by a vision of development that balances innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, leaving a lasting positive impact wherever she works.

Owner/Operator, Brackendale Art Gallery

Alongside her business partner, Jessica Rigg became part of the gallery’s new ownership team in 2023, taking on the stewardship of one of Squamish’s most recognized arts and cultural landmarks. With a professional background in event planning and project management, Jessica has led many aspects of the gallery’s recent renovation and operational redevelopment. Her work has focused on revitalizing the historic venue while maintaining its long-standing role as a gathering place for artists, musicians, and community members. Through expanded programming, exhibitions, and events, she is committed to ensuring the Brackendale Art Gallery continues to evolve as a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and community connection while honouring the legacy and intangible cultural value the space has built over more than five decades.

RPP, Planning Consultant

Jessie Abraham is a Registered Professional Planner based in Squamish, she has lived in the community and worked throughout the Sea to Sky region for the past 10 years, supporting local governments, non-profits, and community organizations on land use planning, housing policy and developments, and community-based projects. Her work is grounded in a strong understanding of local context and a commitment to planning approaches that reflect community values, history, and place.

Equity and Inclusion Advisor, District of Squamish

Keely grew up in the Okanagan Valley and has lived in Squamish for 11 years. At the District of Squamish, Keely is responsible for furthering inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) throughout the organization. As a deaf person, Keely also has experience living with a disability.

Planning Consultant, Kim Needham Planning and Development Consulting. Former Director of planning and Development at the SLRD

Kim Needham has been a professional planner in British Columbia for 30 years. During her career she has worked on a variety of planning and development projects throughout the Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky corridor. Over her career, she has overseen development approvals totaling $2 billion in construction value. Most recently, she served as the Director of Planning and Development Services for the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

General Manager, Sea to Sky Gondola

Kirby has worked in tourism since his teenage years, growing up in Lunenburg, NS before moving to the mountains in Whistler, BC in 1993 and starting with Whistler Mountain. He joined the senior management team of Whistler Blackcomb in 1999 until 2007 when he left for the Kootenays as the President and COO of Panorama Mountain Village in Invermere, BC. He returned to Whistler in 2012 as the CEO of The Adventure Group and in 2015 Kirby moved to Squamish, BC to proudly join Sea to Sky Gondola as the General Manager. He served as the Chair of Tourism Squamish for 8 years, is the Chair of the Squamish Housing Society and recently joined the board of TIABC. Having been blessed to live and work within the unceded ancestral territory of the Squamish Nation, Kirby is honoured to be able to contribute to the work of the Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Housing Society (Hiyam Ha) as an inaugural non-indigenous board member since 2020. He is still active with the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (2008 Alumni) and was the BC Chair and on the National Organizing Committee for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference in 2023. Outside of work, Kirby spends time on his passion project, Playground Builders, which has built hundreds of playgrounds in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories since 2007.

Kirstin Clausen is currently Executive Director for Heritage BC. From 2000 to 2020 she was Executive Director for Britannia Mine Museum. During her tenure with the Museum, the rehabilitation of the Mill building was the first capital project that she was a part of.

Senior ACE Technician, Squamish Nation

Lillian has worked as an archaeological / environmental monitor since 2016. She trained and worked in consulting until joining Squamish Nation in 2023 as the most experienced and senior member of the Archaeology ACE Technicians team.

Squamish Trails Society

Matt Parker grew up in Kamloops and explored trails throughout BC and Alberta while young. He moved to Squamish in 1996 lured by the granite cliffs, affordable housing and trails which provided a gateway to adventure. Involvement with the Smoke Bluffs Park Advisory Committee and Squamish Off Road Cycling Association lead to an involvement with Squamish Trails Society where he builds, maintains and advocates for local trails, alternative transportation and safe routes to school and work.

MA, Archaeology Manager, Squamish Nation

Nick has worked in the BC Archaeology industry for over 20 years, with a focus on the South Coast and Lower Mainland regions. He joined Squamish Nation in 2020 to help create and build a team of technicians to represent the Nation and participate in archaeological assessments within the territory.

D.Litt, Lead, Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society

Ruth Simons is the Executive Director and President of the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society, the organization that manages and sustains the UNESCO-designated Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region in British Columbia. She has led the initiative since its early years, playing a central role in the region’s campaign to secure UNESCO recognition, which was achieved in 2021 after a multi-year community effort. A lifelong resident of the Howe Sound area, Simons previously built and ran a travel insurance company before retiring from the industry in 2007. After this, she immersed herself in community service, including serving on the Village of Lions Bay Council from 2008 to 2011 and coordinating regional forums that brought together local governments and stakeholders. Under her leadership, the Society facilitates collaboration among governments, Indigenous partners, conservation groups, and communities to advance biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and education aligned with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. In recognition of her contributions, she received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Capilano University and was honoured by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) with a traditional blanketing ceremony.

RPP, MCIP (she/her) | Manager of Community Planning District of Squamish

Sarah is the Manager of Community Planning with the District of Squamish, and has over 20 years of municipal planning experience in the Sea to Sky region. She leads a variety of long-range land use and marine planning, public policy and partnership initiatives as well as intergovernmental work. Sarah is focused on community-based planning empowered through engagement and local knowledge sharing, interdisciplinary studies and collaboration. Sarah is excited to be working on an archaeology resource integration project in partnership with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), which is a priority implementation item within the recently developed Squamish Heritage Management Strategy. (Photo credit: Jay Fisher, Capture It Photography)

Sisolia (Donna Billy) is a respected Elder of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. Sisolia has a strong history of civic engagement, including serving on the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw council, running for the District of Squamish council, and being instrumental in developing a new Elders program for the Nation. Currently, she is an active member of the Constitution Development Working Group and serves as the president of the Squamish Multifaith Association. As a lifelong learner and cultural teacher, she finds joy in sharing her Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-specific teachings with the younger generation, such as through the program Squamish Nature Learners – teaching cedar‑rope making, weaving, traditional fishing techniques, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh‑specific teachings about respect for body, mind and nature.

MBCSLA, CSLA, M.L.Arch, M.U.D, Associate, PFS Studio

Soroush is a landscape architect whose work centers on the creation of meaningful, community-focused public spaces across Canada. He brings a collaborative and empathetic design approach that prioritizes inclusivity, cultural expression, and long-term stewardship. His practice explores the role of landscape architecture as a connective framework between people, infrastructure, and place. Soroush has led projects from early visioning and engagement through to implementation, facilitating meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, Indigenous partners, and public agencies. He approaches each project with sensitivity to process—valuing listening, iterative design, and the integration of diverse perspectives to inform thoughtful, place-based outcomes.

Tsawaysia Spukwus, also known as Alice Guss (née Harry), is a devoted member of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, recognized as a junior Elder, mother, and grandmother. She is a prominent cultural leader and educator, deeply committed to preserving and sharing her heritage. Raised in Squamish, B.C., Tsawaysia has spent over 35 years teaching and mentoring in her community, offering workshops in drum-making, cedar-bark and wool weaving, traditional medicine, storytelling, song, and dance. Her work bridges generations and audiences, engaging youth, schools, museums, and broader communities, while supporting cultural continuity, language preservation, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Recognized as a cultural ambassador, Tsawaysia continues to lead programs that sustain and revitalize Sḵwx̱wú7mesh heritage, connecting traditional practices with contemporary educational and community initiatives.