Tansi kiya awaw / Hello all,

My name is Kristin McKay and I’m a new member of the Coastal Water Protectors. I’m Métis with connection to Red River and Nehiyaw from Treaty 8 territory on my mother’s side and mixed European (mainly Northern Irish) on my dad’s side. I grew up on the beautiful lands and waters of the Stó:lō peoples, whose territories first inspired my love of the natural world and bei̓ng outside. I’m grateful to now be living as a guest on the territories of the W̱ SÁNEĆ and ləkwəŋən peoples in what is today known as Victoria.

I first moved to Vancouver Island to begin studying at the University of Victoria. Here, I was able to pursue all my passions and graduate with a triple major in Geography, Environmental Studies and Indigenous Studies. I focused on ecology, geomorphology, conservation, Indigenous sovereignty and environmental law, which are all interrelated and allowed me to become immersed in my studies during my undergrad. I am eternally grateful for all the knowledge I have been gifted from countless professors who have totally revolutionized my way of thinking and perceiving the world. Conservation is not only important for ecosystems and our more than human relatives, but to sustain our communities and cultures that have lived in relationship with these ecosystems since time immemorial.

I’m currently part of the Indigenous Youth Internship Program with the Government of BC, specifically with the new Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship. Here I work on conservation of species including Bald Eagles, Black Bears, and Great Blue Heron. My main project is to document Bald Eagle nests across Vancouver Island to help ensure their protection against intense coastal development pressures. Throughout my time with the government, a focus of my work has been meaningful engagement with First Nations, emphasizing the need for government employees to treat engagement as an opportunity for relationship building with Indigenous leaders and communities rather than simply a box to check off. With the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act into BC law, it has enabled this work to become more of a priority for conservation and field-based projects. Though there is still is long way to go I have seen the desire from settlers to change how things are done, though they need support and guidance towards a new system of governance that supports and upholds Indigenous sovereignty on our territories.

I am so excited to be apart of conservation projects with other Indigenous and like-minded people, and to give back to the communities on who’s territories I’ve inhabited as an unwelcomed guest. I’m thankful for the opportunity to join the Coastal Water Protectors through the BCMF and to make connections all over the west coast and with local communities. In my free time you’ll find me hiking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking and adventuring all across Turtle Island, though I also enjoy a night in with my cats watching a spooky movie.

wâhkôtowin - everything depends on everything else and we are all interconnected. We are borrowing from future generations and have a responsibility to leave the planet better than we found it.