YAHLNAAW

Lead Consultant

(She/Her)

Jah! Xaaydaga ‘las! “Hello! Wonderful People!”

Yahlnaaw han.nuu dii kiiGa ga. HlGaagilda Xaayda Gwaii sda.uu hll iigiing. Lāx Kxeen sda.uu hll na.uu dii gan. Lheidli T’enneh sda.uu hll na.uu dii gan. LƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN sda.uu hll naa.uu dii ga. Way.yad.uu ‘Treaty 1’ - Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, ad Métis guu.uu hll naa.uu dii ga.

Hello! My name is Yahlnaaw and I am from Skidegate, Haida Gwaii. I was born and raised on Lāx Kx̱een, colonially known as Prince Rupert, on Ts’msyen territory. Following that, I spent 8 years on Lheidli T’enneh territory, colonially known as Prince George. I then spent 1.5 years the territories of the LƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN peoples, colonially known as Victoria, and now I am currently situated on Treaty 1 territory - the lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, and the birthplace of the Métis Nation. I am forever grateful for the knowledges gathered and shared in the beautiful places I have had the privilege of residing.

I am a Skidegate Haida, queer, transgender woman navigating what feels like limbs stretched into many worlds. I aim to bridge these different epistemologies (ways of knowing), ontologies (ways of being), and axiology (values) into my work to set the stage for my learning and life journey which values an intersectional approach.

Alongside my education (BA, Indigenous Studies/Psychology & MA, Indigenous Studies), I hold 5+ years experience in a post-secondary environment revolving around embedding Indigenous, anti-oppression, and 2SLGBTQIA+ knowledges within institutional structures, policies, and curricula via advanced action plans and analysis. I am building on 4+ years experience with duties consisting of lead project development/management/auditing within Indigenous knowledges, 2SLGBTQIA+ knowledges, social justice, human rights, decolonization, Indigenization, reconciliation, rematriation, and EDI training/policy development at not-for-profit, post-secondary, and government levels.

Currently, I also stand in the position of Indigenous Rights and Anti-Racism Officer with the Equity & Human Rights Office at the University of Victoria.

✉ Email: Yahlnaaw@taajuuconsulting.com

LUCAS CORBIN

Creative Coordinator & Consultant

(He/Him)

Aniin! Hello!

My name is Mino M’shki-ki Aki Inini, given to me by Two Spirit Elder, Peetanacoot Nenakawekapo; you can call me by my English name, Lucas. I am Anishinaabe from Treaty 3 lands. I specialize in anti-oppression work in honour of my Grandmother who taught me a lot about identity-building and purpose. I grew up on the Ancestral lands of the Dakota, Anishinaabeg, Oji-Cree, Cree, Dene, and Metis peoples going between Treaty 1 + 2 territories. I spent time on Lheidli T’enneh territories and the Lekwungen territories with my life partner, Yahlnaaw, before situating ourselves on Treaty 1 territories.

As a Two-Spirit, transgender, and queer person, my interconnected identities of femininity and masculinity make up who I am. I value diverse realms of community-based relationships and experiences to bridge systemic gaps within institutional spaces. I have a keen eye for detail and a passion to unpack and learn anti-oppression principles with myself and with others. I am not an academic, but the experiences I bring forward have a relational value that cannot be taught in an institution. Having dropped out in highschool I paved my own path by seeking out educational experiences through community-based teachings.

I came from a small community where acceptance and understanding of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples was scarce and quite harmful - I recognized the importance of having community that supports, uplifts, and advocates for us is detrimental to our health. My journey of identity-building is not just to my own benefit but it is to ensure I am holding space and advocacy for my community who are most impacted by the harms of white supremacy.

✉ Email: Lucas@taajuuconsulting.com