C’tasi:a Geraldine Manson

‘Elder-in-Resident’ since 2008 with Vancouver Island University located in Nanaimo.

A key part of Manson’s role is supporting the movement of aboriginal knowledge related to Traditional Protocols and history of Snuneymuxw First Nation into the existing curriculum offered at the University. Her passion is history connected to the surrounding mountains, rivers that flow into the ocean and all resources each contain. Geraldine has recently published three books that offer insight to history of her Ancestor’s legacy. Her third book titled, “Plant Teachings From My Auntie” is newly published and on book shelves since June 2026.

Nancy Turner

An ethnobotanist, and a retired Professor, from the University of Victoria here in BC. She has worked with First Nations elders and cultural specialists in northwestern North America for over 50 years, helping to document, retain and promote their botanical and environmental expertise. Her 2-volume award-winning book, Ancient Pathways, Ancestral Knowledge (2014; MQUP), integrates her long-term research. She has authored/co-authored/co-edited 30 other books, including: The Earth’s Blanket (2005); “Keeping it Living”(2005); Plants, People and Places (2020); Plants of Haida Gwaii (2021); and Luschiim’s Plants (2021), and over 150 book chapters and papers. She has received a number of awards for her work, including Order of British Columbia (1999) and Order of Canada (2009), and honorary degrees from VIU, UNBC, SFU and UBC.