About Us
In 2017 after the devastating Elephant Hill Wildfire, eight Secwepemc communities came together with the provincial government to establish a working group of Secwepemc and Government technicians to develop harvesting principals, Morel Mushroom Protocol and outline concerns regarding wildfire recovery.
They were the St’uxtews (Bonaparte Indian Band), Llenlleney’ten (High Bar First Nation), Skeetchestn (Skeetchestn Indian Band), Stswecem’c Xgat’tem (Canoe Creek/Dog Creek Indian Band), Ts’kw’aylaxw (Pavillion Indian Band), Ts’qescenemc (Canim Lake Indian Band), Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc (Kamloops Indian Band), and Pelltiq’t (Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band.)
In 2019, the Secwepemcúl’ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society was established from that working group to coordinate nature-based wildfire recovery activities.
We engage and collaborate with Secwepemc communities, providing opportunities for in-community capacity building. This enables communities to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for leading restoration and stewardship initiatives, while advancing the sustainable management of lands (tmicw), resources, and restoring degraded lands, and driving landscape adaptation to climate change within Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc traditional territory).
Our Vision
United we advance conservation, revitalization and restoration for the sustainability of our TMICW.
Our Mission
To manage, protect and revitalize our tmicw through unity and Secwépemc values and law. Our laws and way of life comes from our connection to tmicw. Take care of the land, the land takes care of us. It is our cultural responsibility to ensure we leave a legacy of regenerated lands, enriched and thriving forests and biodiversity, healthy and abundant wildlife, clean air and water for future generations.
Guiding Principles
UNITY & COLLABORATION
Promote a collective and collaborative approach to yecwemínem (stewardship and caretakership). Honoring, in practice, the interconnectedness and interdependence of tmicw (land) and the people. We will build and nurture our relationships by sharing and collaborating with others in a good way.
WALKING ON TWO LEGS
The one leg of Indigenous knowledge, the other of western science, guided by a Secwépemc worldview and stewardship ethic. The joint walking of the two legs compels action and movement forward.
RESTORATION & REVITALIZATION
Indigenous led, multidimensional approach to monitoring, restoration and reclamation of cultural heritage, lands and resources to revitalize traditional food and medicine systems.
RESILIENCE & INNOVATION
Committed to doing things differently. Rebuilding the future.
ADVOCACY & STEWARDSHIP
Caring for the environment as a whole is a shared responsibility.
EXCELLENCE
Strive towards excellence and high standards in all areas of stewardship where yecwminte re tmicw (we take care of the land).
INTEGRITY
Ensure there is trust, transparency and accountability and decision-making processes are inclusive and transparent.
Goals
The SRSS exists to serve two main goals:
LAND RESTORATION
The restoration of healthy land and waters is a priority for Secwépemc communities as they are vital to Secwépemc peoples’ culture and wellbeing.
Beginning with the restoration of riparian forests, the SRSS aims to restore forests, rivers, and grasslands, thereby regaining ecosystem functionality and adapting to the realities of climate change.
INDIGENOUS CAPACITY BUILDING
Collaboration between Secwépemc communities to pursue funding opportunities enhances their ability to secure funding for ecosystem restoration work.
Secwépemc communities cooperatively lead and implement the actual restoration work and monitoring that comprise SRSS projects. By accessing funding to do restoration work across Secwepemcúl’ecw, the SRSS creates jobs in member communities and increases the capacity of these communities to do restoration work through training and on-the job skills-building.
Our Team
Our Team
Angie Kane
Angela Kane serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Secwepemcul’ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society (SRSS), an organization committed to wildfire restoration within the unceded Traditional Territory of the Secwepemc First Nation. With over 35 years of expertise in the financial and business sectors, Angela brings a wealth of knowledge and a diverse skill set to her leadership role.
For the past three decades, Angela has worked closely with numerous BC First Nation communities, fostering economic development initiatives and establishing corporate structures to support their growth and sustainability. Her dedication to collaboration and community empowerment has been a cornerstone of her career.
Beyond her professional achievements, Angela is deeply connected to her community through volunteer work. A passionate outdoor enthusiast, she finds joy in connecting with nature, whether it’s sledding through snowy landscapes in the winter or exploring the open road on the back of her hubby’s motorcycle during the summer. Angela’s leadership and commitment to restoration, stewardship, and community development continue to make a lasting impact.
Char John
Her roots belong to the Tsal-alh First Nation community; however, she currently resides with her family in the Ts’kw’aylawx First Nation community. Charlene is a hardworking, reliable professional striving to develop at a management level. She has vast experience working at a Nation level on various projects. She has worked in different capacities: Technical Field Worker, Technical Office worker, Administrative Support, Communications, Engagement, Project Management and Development. Char is currently working towards professional experiences and credentials and formalizing professional designations.
Over the last 15 years, she has dedicated her time and efforts to working for First Nation organizations on a landscape level. Charlene has worked with Indigenous communities to improve and implement their goals in Health, Environment, Stewardship, Restoration, Culture and Heritage, Wildlife, Fisheries and Strategic Planning.
Charlene has worked for organizations within the St’at’imc Nation and has been with the SRSS for the past year. Her primary responsibilities were/are communications, public relations, project management, website development and design, data management, communications, moderator for group meetings, research, presentations for organization successes, and strategic planning.She has experience in internal and external communications, data management, newsletters, and e-communications. Charlene also has experience working on platforms such as Solstice (M-Water), Trailmark, Endnote, File Explorer, Ideal Lever Website design, Story Map, Arc Map Pro and Arc Map.
Education and Experience:
• ArcGIS Mapping
• Resource Information Standards Committee
British Columbia
(Archaeological Inventory and CMT Training)
• UBC: St’at’imc and Cultural Research Methods – Archaeology and Anthropology
• Administrative Assistant Diploma
• Environmental Occupational Health and Safety
• Program Management
• Indigenous Public Relations
Stacey Austinson
Stacey is a member of the St’at’imc Nation. She has over 20 years experience in various management and advisory roles from community to nation level. Focusing on nation rebuilding and internal and intertribal relations.
Contributing to a wholistic, well rounded experience of indigenous government and governance development, administration and title and rights; including supporting the ratification and implementation of the St’át’imc/BC Hydro Agreement, indigenous health initiatives, programs and plans.
Her strengths lie in indigenous diplomacy, strategic leadership, and skilled at communicating and building respectful and trusting relationships with various groups and people. Honors values of trust, respect, honesty, humility, courage and truth. Experience and knowledge of The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
Transforming “big picture” vision to implementation plans; including the ability to analyze, develop and make recommendations on complex issues and situations.
Education and Experience:
• Indigenous government and governance advisory,
• Engagement and Facilitation,
• Strategic Planning,
• Team and Project Management,
• Administration,
• Advisory and Special Committee Management,
• Policy Development,
• Indigenous Public Relations
Jenny Allen
Weytk (Hello). My name is Jenny Allen, RFT and I am a Registered Forest Technologist (RFT) with Forest Professionals of British Columbia (FPBC). I am from St’uxtews (Bonaparte) of the Secwepemc Nation. My role is Restoration and Carbon Coordinator at Secwepemcul’ecw Restoration Stewardship Society (SRSS) working with restoration, carbon monitoring and sequestration and sampling, and forestry projects contributing to initiatives like Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). I have worked in Natural Resources and Forestry for the past 33 years and I consider myself a steward of the land.
I promote land-based healing and wellness through an ecosystem-based approach to indigenous land stewardship. Cultural revitalization is important to me in sustaining our Secwepemc Culture & Traditions and to always walk in a good way. I enjoy hunting, fishing, berry picking, spending time with family and friends doing land-based activities in my spare time and to capture the sunrise and sunset every day I am here is a blessing. I have a son (Daytona)and a daughter (Ocean)who are my pride and joy and I will continue to create impressionable footprints for future generations. “If we take care of the land, the land will take care of us.”