abigail titian-manson - communications coordinator
Abigail has just joined the Ha’oom Fisheries team! She was born and raised in both Ahousaht Nation and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territories. Abigail is a member of the Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht First Nations, living within the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territories. She comes from the Titian and Manson families. Growing up, she learned how to help both communities by providing seafood. In her spare time, Abigail learns from her family’s cultural teachings and knowledge of marine mechanics. She hopes to bring the teachings she has grown up with to our team and focus on the future of fishermen in the communities.
AUDREY ADeLINET - development manager
Audrey joined Ha’oom in June 2021. She has a Master’s degree in International Law and a Master’s degree in Project Management from the Aix-Marseille University. Originally from France, Audrey also grew up in the countries of Morocco and Tanzania. Before coming to Vancouver, she worked overseas in Nepal and Cambodia for a children’s rights organization. In her free time, Audrey practices mixed martial arts, and she enjoys mountain biking and snowboarding.
Candace Picco, MSc - Biologist III
Candace has been with Ha’oom since its inception. First, she was the Central Region Biologist for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and then contracted directly for T’aaq-wiihak before becoming the Ha’oom Biologist. Candace has a BSc degree in Biology from the University of British Columbia, a MSc degree in Marine Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and an advanced diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from BCIT. Candace grew up in the Okanagan, living in Alaska, Asia, and Vancouver before settling in Tofino. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling and spending time with her family out on the water, in the snow, and out exploring Tla-o-qui-aht ha-ha-huułi.
Colton Van Der Minne - Master’s Student
Colton is from the David family of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. He is currently working on his Master of Science in Oceans and Fisheries with Ha’oom and the UBC Centre for Indigenous Fisheries. Colton has previously worked with Ha’oom for his undergraduate thesis and as a research technician. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in marine biology for the University of British Columbia. Outside of work, Colton enjoys spending time reading, surfing, tidepooling, and hiking.
Howie Wright, MSc - Executive Director
Howie is from the Gitksan Nation in Northwestern BC. He completed his undergrad and graduate schooling at UBC, ending with a Master of Science degree in fisheries in 2005. His education focused on the interactions of sockeye, kokanee, and mysis relicta in Osoyoos and Skaha Lakes in the Okanagan basin. Howie has been in the Okanagan Valley since 1995 and currently lives in Westbank, BC. He has four children, all boys, who also live in the Okanagan. Howie was previously the fisheries program manager for the Okanagan Nation Alliance and looks forward to being part of the exciting work of implementing the Five Nations' rights-based fisheries.
Hutton Noth - Biologist I
Hutton recently joined the Ha’oom Team as a junior biologist. She has a Bachelor’s degree in environmental Geoscience and Marine Biology from the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus. Hutton has a strong foundation in biological research and software analysis and looks forward to bringing this to the team. She has resided on the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory for three years now and in her spare time you can find her in the surf, exploring remote regions of the coast, enjoying a beach fire with friends, kayaking, or up in the mountains snowboarding.
Izzy A, finance and business development manager
Izzy joined Ha’oom in April 2022. She has a background in accounting, human resources, and social sciences. Her early years were spent in Africa, Geneva, and Ontario before moving out West with her family. She made the decision to work with non-profits and small community-focused organizations after spending time in Northern Canada and seeing the direct impact this type of work had on individuals and their communities. She’s fond of reading, staring at the stars, and travelling.
Jessica Edwards, MSC - Biologist II
Jess joined the T’aaq-wiihak/Ha’oom team in 2017 as a fisheries monitor. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Victoria and a Master’s degree in Biology, where she focused on the post-harvest recovery of Caʔinwa (gooseneck barnacle) for the Five Nations’ commercial fishery. Jess lives in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory and in her free time she enjoys hiking, running, and knitting.
Kadin Snook - Fisheries Coordinator
Kadin has worked with Ha’oom since April 1st, 2020. He is from the Andrews family of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN) and resides in Campbell River. Before coming to Ha’oom, Kadin worked with the MMFN as the Fisheries Coordinator. He is very passionate about working to restore Indigenous culture as a means to promote cultural healing for his community. Kadin loves to fish, hunt, and camp, and is involved in Indigenous rights activism especially focusing on equity and history.
KARA-ANNA samuel - COMMUNITY LIAISON
Kara-Anna has worked with Ha’oom Fisheries Society since March 1st, 2021. Registered as an Ehattesaht/Chinehkint member, Kara was raised in Ahousaht and currently resides in Port Alberni. She comes to us from a healthcare and digital technology background. When she’s not working, Kara is very busy at home with her family. They enjoy getting out and being active together as often as they can.
kayla lucas - research technician
Kayla Lucas is from Hesquiaht First Nation, where she sits on Chief & Council. Certified as an Environmental Technician, Kayla is excited to use her education and knowledge in her position with Ha’oom Fisheries Society. In her spare time, she studies the ancient Hesquiaht language of her ancestors, and enjoys being outdoors hiking and exploring the land with her daughter.
Keshia Evans - Program coordinator
Keshia has just joined Ha’oom as the Program Coordinator! She is from Southern Ontario and never looked back after embracing the move West. Her background in Tourism Management nurtured a strong passion for fostering human connection and program development. She looks forward to coordinating and executing impactful programs with Ha’oom. In her spare time, she finds joy in traveling, immersing in natures wonders and sharing moments with her tiny dog Irie.
Keaton McCallum - Biologist I
Keaton, our Junior Fisheries Biologist, has been an invaluable member of our team for over a year. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Coastal Geography from the University of Victoria, having studied on the lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən People. Prior to joining us, Keaton gained extensive experience as a fisheries technician with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal council in Clayoquot Sound, specializing in local river systems. Residing in Tofino within the Tla-o-qui-aht hahuułi. Outside of work, Keaton enjoys surfing and spearfishing around the coast.
Lacey Adams - Tla-o-qui-aht Community Fisheries liaison
Lacey has been with Ha’oom since June, 2020, and worked with T’aaq-wiihak as a dockside monitor for two years before that. She comes from the Ehattesaht & Ahousaht First Nations and is the mother of three beautiful children from the Tla-o-quiaht First Nation. In Lacey’s spare time, she loves going out on her boat to harvest sea foods, making First Nations art, and travelling.
Lauren Dean - Communications Specialist
Lauren has recently started contracting with Ha’oom as the communications specialist. She brings over a decade of business, marketing, and communication experience and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree as her foundation. Lauren is passionate about empowering Indigenous people to share their stories, culture, and knowledge with the world. Lauren lives in Courtenay and is a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia. She spends her free time connecting to the forest and the ocean with her dog, Lemon.
Nasya Moore - Rebuilding Plan Coordinator
Nasya is from the Nisga'a and Leq'a:mel Nations. She is part of the wolf tribe in the House of Simoogit Duuk, and was given the name Mo’osk’im gibuu last year. Nasya is grateful to live on unceded Musqueam territory, where she studies Biocultural Diversity in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. Nasya is interested in the interdependence of language and ecological revitalization, and excited to learn how these connect to fishwork. In her free time Nasya enjoys trail running, gardening and trying new crafts.
Saul Milne, PHD, Strategic Advisor
Saul is a Xwchíyò:m (Cheam First Nation) member and has worked with the Five Nations for 2.5 years, most recently as a strategic advisor and consultant with Ha’oom. A PhD candidate at the University of Victoria in the Department of Geography, Saul splits his time between Musqueam/Squamish/Tsleil-Waututh Solh Temexw (Vancouver) and the Tla-o-qui-aht ha-ha-huułi. His PhD research focuses on Tla-o-qui-aht knowledge systems and fisheries governance. Saul is a huge Vancouver Canucks fan, and is the 4th generation of his family to work in Nuu-chah-nulth-aht ha-ha-huułi.
Tessa Saxby-Jones - Program manager (MATERNITY LEAVE)
As our program coordinator, Tessa handles everything behind the scenes. She holds us all together! She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Victoria. Tessa grew up on Denman Island and loves to sail! She lives in Ucluelet and has been on our team for two years.
VANESSA BUCHANAN - FISHERIES COORDINATOR
Vanessa was born and raised on the West Coast of British Columbia. Growing up in North Vancouver, she spent most of her time up in the mountains during the winter, and summers on water. She moved to Vancouver Island in 2010 and has since completed her Bachelor of Science in Geography at the University of Victoria. While completing her BSc in Geography, Vanessa moved to Tofino BC and never left. During her time in Tofino, Vanessa has gained a wide range of experience protecting and sustaining salmon resources in Nuu-chah-nulth territory, and continues to volunteer with many fisheries related projects in Clayoquot sound. Vanessa joined Ha’oom Fisheries Society in October of 2021 as a Fisheries Coordinator. When Vanessa isn’t working, she can be found snorkeling the local rivers, boating, camping, or at the beach enjoying a fire with friends.