NANAIMO BC – The Board of Directors of Georgia Strait Alliance (GSA) is honoured to announce the addition of Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Douglas White III (Kwulasultun) to its Advisory Council.
“As we strive to protect and restore the Strait of Georgia, GSA seeks to engage with the First Nations whose territory is affected by those efforts,” says Board President Melinda Skeels. “Snuneymuxw territory lies at the heart of the Salish Sea and we are so pleased with the opportunity to be guided in our work by Chief White’s passion, perspective and insights.”
Chief White has been the elected Chief of the Snuneymuxw First Nation since December 2009. He holds a B.A. in First Nations Studies (with distinction) from Vancouver Island University and J.D. (Juris Doctor) from the University of Victoria. His is also a member of many boards and committees including the Snuneymuxw First Nation Economic Development Corporation and the University of Victoria’s School of Public Administration’s Advisory Board and is a past executive member of the Indigenous Bar Association of Canada. Chief White was elected to the political executive of the First Nations Summit, the Summit Task Group, in June 2010 and is a member of the BC First Nations Leadership Council of British Columbia.
“I am honoured to serve on the Advisory Council of the GSA”, says Chief White. “It is a leading organization working to protect the Salish Sea, and I hope to work with it to deepen the collaboration between First Nations and organizations committed to our common challenge of protecting the wellbeing of our planet’.
GSA’s Advisory Council currently includes former BC Minister of the Environment John Cashore, Royal Society Fellow Dr. Larry Dill, Hereditary Chief of the Gwa wa enuk First Nation (Dr.) Chief Bobby Joseph, former Environment Canada scientist Dr. Bob Elner, Emeritus Professor Dr. Don McQueen and Lunapads co-founder Suzanne Siemens.
Formed in 1990, GSA (www.georgiastrait.org) is the only citizens’ group working to protect and restore the marine environment and promote the sustainability of Georgia Strait, its adjoining waters and communities, the place where 70% of British Columbians live, work and play.
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Melinda Skeels, GSA Board President
office: 604 988 5201
email: mskeels@ratcliff.com
Douglas White III, Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief
cell: 250 756 7563
email: dougswhite@gmail.com
Christianne Wilhelmson, GSA Executive Director
cell: 604 862 7579
office: 604 633 0530
email: christianne@georgiastrait.org