Victoria is one of the first 20 Canadians trained by Mr. Gore back in 2007, and has loved mentoring ever since! She lives in Wiarton on Saukiing Anishinaabekiing with her husband Jamie, and enjoys gardening and foraging with her daughter Corrina and grandson Creegan. Victoria sits on the board of Climate Reality Project Canada, Bagida'waad Alliance and Niagara Escarpment Biosphere. She served as a Municipal Councillor in Saugeen Shores, worked as a Strategic Advisor to the Saugeen First Nation Band Council and was honoured to receive a June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism.
What was your most iconic/memorable Act of Leadership?
I was honoured to be on a panel of Mentors at the Pittsburgh training in 2017 with Al Gore moderating, and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with the attendees.
What are some climate change initiatives you are currently taking part in?
The Bagida'waad Alliance is an Indigenous environmental not-for-profit led by Fishing Families from Neyaashiinigmiing that I helped found, and we do a variety of climate-related work. Most exciting recently, we received funding to train Indigenous youth so they can interview Elders about their perspectives of climate change and stewardship, and produce documentaries to be publicly shared.
What do you think is the most effective way for people to take climate action?
I believe it is important for us to include climate action in all aspects of our society and lifestyles in our daily lives, including work, home and play. We are better together.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I've been on Facebook live since early April from my new home sharing how to start an organic backyard garden, sharing many tips from being an organic farmer and starting many community gardens.