GYETK

Rachel Greening (Sag̱u Ts’imuu Ssgyiik) was born and raised in Ts’msyen territory in Prince Rupert, B.C. She is Ts’msyen from Lax Kw’alaams of the Gispaxlo’ots Tribe, Eagle clan, and Cantonese. Through her personal, processional, academic and life, Rachel is deeply engaged in Indigenous food sovereignty and traditional food systems. As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, Rachel works alongside many First Nations, including Ts’msyen and nuučaan̓uł Nations, supporting diabetes care through relational approaches that centre culture, community, and traditional foods. Her PhD in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia has focused on Indigenous food sovereignty, health and well-being, social justice, and the revitalization of traditional food systems.

Spencer Greening (La'goot) is Ts'msyen, and a member of the Gitga'at First Nation. As a trained anthropologist, he has spent his entire adult life working in cultural research, with an emphasis on Traditional Ecological Knowledge, in his community. He is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Victoria, conducting research on Indigenous harvesting methods and ecological laws, and where these practices coincide with environmental stewardship today. In addition to this, he facilitates land-based food sovereingty workshops with youth in coastal communities. When not conducting research, he is spending as much time as he can on the lands and waters harvesting with his family and Elders.