Research & Reconciliation

I am currently in my fifth year of my PhD at Queens University working in Human Geography in the Heath, Environment and Communities lab working with Dr. Heather Castleden. My research is  examining decolonial knowledge production, power in neocolonial extractive landscapes, feminist political ecology and geographies of peace in the Ecuadoran Amazon. I am working in collaboration and partnership with members of the Indigenous Shuar Community through community-based participatory research to help preserve their ancestral territory and traditional knowledge. 

In Ecuador we are also working together to support their Plant-based medicine projects, Community Based Eco-Tourism, land reclamation, and the broader goals of our Foundation Inisha Nunka founded by the Shuar in the community of Buena Esperanza for Indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. Visit the project at: Inishanunka.org

More broadly, I have 11 years of international and Canadian experience with specialized knowledge in Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Qualitative research, Facilitation, Peace-building, Restorative Justice and Reconciliation. As a Educator, Mediator and Circle Keeper I bring a unique and highly diverse set of experiences to my teachings, research, project management and trainings. Being educated at home Canada as well as in International and cross-cultural settings such as Haiti and Ireland. I bring a set of highly attuned skills to the projects I work with. I am competent in grant writing, CBPR, conflict transformation process design, power rebalancing, Indigenous rights advocacy, consensus building and conflict coaching. 

I completed my Masters of Philosophy in International Peace Studies from Trinity College in Ireland and have obtained Advanced Dispute resolution training from York University, and the GlenCree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. I have worked with and for NGO's, Government, and Communities. I am fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish and can speak some Haitian Creole.  I learned to speak both Spanish and Portuguese while living abroad in South America after completing my undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Environmental Studies. My experiences abroad and especially in Latin America, have created a passion for reconciling relations to our natural world and one another.

Likewise, I have worked in the hospitality industry for 17 years in both restaurants as a server and manager as well as I have been a tour guide in Brazil, Spain and now Ecuador to help support my education, travel and pursuits. I love to host people, and guide people through new experiences. Having travelled to 42 countries across the globe. All of my experiences, studies, and friendships have shaped my commitment to social and environmental justice.