Board Member
Kimbaya is of Franco-Metis and Mestiza Mexican background. She grew up in Treaty 1, traditionally known in Cree as win-nipi, ᐑᓂᐯᐠ (murky waters) now referred to as Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is currently living in what is originally known in Halq’eméylem as Lhq’á:lets (wide at the bottom) now referred to as Vancouver, British Columbia in the unceded territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a biology and environmental science degree back in April 2020. She worked at the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) as the Water For Fish project coordinator from June 2020 until January 2023. She now works as the Marine Manager at the Nuxalk Nation.
The Nuxalk Nation is located on the Central Coast of British Columbia and their current focus areas are addressing the crisis in salmon stocks, the Fisheries Resources Reconciliation Agreement (FRRA), the development of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network and a feasibility study with the federal government for a National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR).
In her spare time, Kimbaya enjoys traveling, exploring Turtle Island and to international destinations. In particular, she enjoys learning about new cultures and reconnecting with her own cultural heritage. She also enjoys learning about cultures through cuisine, language, and art, especially dance.
On board since: September 2022
Boards:
- West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation