Research & Reconciliation

I am a feminist scholar from Tkaronto who engages in decolonizing research. I am a second-generation white settler whose grandparents were born in Finland and Hungary. I recently completed my Ph.D.  in collaboration with members of the Shuar community in what is now known as the Ecuadorian Amazon. Where my research focused on supporting the maintenance of Shuar science and territory for greater human and planetary health (www.inishanunka.org). With a focus on disrupting Eurocentric hierarchies of knowledge production in the academy to support a just shared future for all our relations. 

I am currently working in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) at York University as a Postdoctoral Fellow, facilitating a collaborative project on human-polar bear coexistence in Hudson Bay and James Bay (https://euc.yorku.ca/research-spotlight/canada-is-not-for-sale-but-new-ontario-law-prioritizes-profits-over-environmental-and-indigenous-rights/). I am working under the supervision of Dr. Gregory Thiemann and Dr. Joseph Northrup, facilitating collaboration between the Mushkegowuk Council and Polar Bears International, in partnership with the Weston Foundation, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. This research supports Cree kiskêyihtamowin (ᑭᐢᑫᔨᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ) in a community-led project to identify drivers of, and effective mitigation strategies for, human-polar bear interactions.

Before starting my PhD with the HEC lab (www.heclab.ca) I was an internationally trained mediator, peacebuilder and restorative justice practitioner dedicated to reconciliation and environmental justice. I completed my master’s in International Peace Studies with an undergraduate Honours degree in Philosophy with a minor in environmental studies.  In Ecuador we are also working together to support their Plant-based medicine projects, community-based 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.