Youth Board Member
Amy is Ts’msyen from Lax Kw’alaams of the Ganhada (Raven) clan and Japanese with her family roots tracing back to Okinawa. She is the great-granddaughter of William Jeffrey (Chief Laase), who was the hereditary chief of the Git’wil’gyoots tribe, one of the nine allied tribes of Lax Kw'alaams. Amy is currently a student at the University of Victoria, living as a guest on the unceded territory of the lək̓ ʷəŋən and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples, represented today through Esquimalt, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. She is pursuing a double major in Sociology and Indigenous studies at the University of Victoria. In light of her passion for decolonization and Indigenous research methods, Amy will participate in the LE, NOṈET program at UVIC.
From a long line of ancestral leaders, Amy plans to continue their legacy through attending law school and working with communities to advance the rights of Indigenous peoples from a legal standpoint. She seeks to incorporate adaawx (Ts’msyen oral histories and legal traditions) into her work and everyday life. Amy took part in the RELAW Co-learning Program in the 2023-2024 cohort. Amy's passion for environmental justice and climate action led her to work with Stand.earth as a research assistant. She works as a research assistant for the Victoria Native Friendship Center with the Community Action and Learning Department.
In her spare time, Amy enjoys exploring the beautiful territories of Vancouver Island through hiking and learning about the Indigenous flora and fauna. She also enjoys swimming, dancing, and expressing her culture through fashion.