BE PART OF OUR

Youth Advisory Committee

Join the 2024 -2025 Youth Advisory Committee!

Still seeking young leaders aged 16-30 living in the Kootenays with a passion for sustainability and community wellbeing! 

Are you proud of where you live and have ideas on how to improve youth engagement around climate solutions? Are you interested in connecting with and learning from fellow youth living in other regions of British Columbia? If so, you might just be the perfect fit for the Committee. 

Young people are leading the way for change when it comes to social, environmental, and climate action, yet they are still vastly underrepresented when it comes to positions of power, especially within organizations engaged in sustainability work. The Fraser Basin Council (FBC) recognizes the importance of creating and sharing spaces for youth to be involved in conversations around some of the biggest challenges we all collectively face, and youth stand to inherit – topics such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and inadequate community resilience.  

To ensure that FBC’s impact reflects and is inclusive of youth voices, FBC has an appointed youth director on our Board to braid youth perspectives into our decision-making processes. Our Youth Programs initiatives are actively informed and shaped by our Youth Advisory Committee. 

The FBC Youth Advisory Committee is composed of 15 representatives (aged 16-30) living in six major regions of BC, who are a voice for youth in their communities on sustainability and climate change issues. Committee members share their unique insights into key sustainability and climate priorities facing their regions and can identify ideas for projects they would like to see FBC initiate that address those specific challenges. 

The Committee’s high-level input helps shape FBC Youth Program initiatives to better serve youth throughout the Fraser Basin and across the province. Committee members also support fellow youth in implementing exciting sustainability initiatives and in fostering their practical skills and confidence to act on pressing issues in their communities.

FBC Youth Advisory Committee members meet 6-8 times over a 12-month period. Members will:

  • Connect and collaborate with similarly passionate, sustainability-minded youth from all corners of BC (including fellow YAC members and our youth alumni network) 
  • Learn more about unique climate change and sustainability issues across the province 
  • Help co-create opportunities for BC youth to contribute to sustainability and climate solutions (e.g. Co-Creating a Sustainable BC and the Down to You podcast) 
  • Observe the workings of FBC’s consensus-based decision-making board of directors from all levels of government, civil society, and business, and network and build relationships with them 
  • Gain hands-on leadership experience in organizational governance and planning, supporting FBC in sustaining organizational momentum in the long-term  

Application deadline extended for Kootenay representatives for the 2024-2025 FBC Youth Advisory Committee!

Calling all young leaders aged 16-30 with a passion for sustainability and community wellbeing! Are you proud of where you live and have ideas on how to improve youth engagement around climate solutions? Are you interested in connecting with and learning from fellow youth living in other regions of British Columbia?  

There are two stages to the application process: 

STAGE 1: Survey Application
Fill out this survey and let us know why you would be a good candidate to join the Youth Advisory Committee. (We also accommodate applications via video, over the phone, or other preferred non-text-based mediums. Please email us at youth@fraserbasin.ca for more information) 

If for any reason you would prefer for a person who knows you well (relatives excluded) to comment on questions 11 and/or 12 (speaking to the skills and experiences that you hold concerning your community engagement/volunteer history), please ask your representative(s) to provide their name and contact details in place of an answer. If you are selected as a potential candidate, we can also interview your representatives regarding your skills and experiences on your behalf, if you prefer. 

STAGE 2: Virtual Meeting
After we have received your application, if you are selected as a potential candidate, we will arrange for a virtual meeting to get to know you better and answer any questions you may have about participating in the Committee.  

Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and considerations for this stage of the application process. For example, English as an Additional Language (EAL) assistance, sign language interpretation, supports for newcomers, and more. We will try our best to meet these requests and will follow up with you to confirm accommodations. 

As part of our commitment to equity and accessibility, we encourage you to contact us to begin conversations about how we may be able to support you throughout the application process. We are available to work with you to ensure that any barriers to your participation are addressed, and that you are able to show up in ways that feel most comfortable to you.  

Key Dates

  • Friday, February 9th at 11:59 PM (PST) – Applications due 
    • NEW! Deadline extended to Friday March 1st at 11:59 PM for youth living in the Kootenays region, or until spots are filled
  • February 12th – February 23rd – Virtual meetings with shortlisted candidates 
  • Friday, March 1st – Successful candidates notified 

Questions
If you would like to learn more, please send us an email at youth@fraserbasin.ca or call 604-488-5354.

The Fantastic 2022-23 YAC Team

Ann Duong

(she/Her)

Prince George (Northern BC)

Hey! My name is Ann, and I was raised in Toronto but moved to Prince George to escape the big city in 2015 and it is now my home! I completed my undergrad in biochemistry at UNBC and am now doing a Masters in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies program. I also work at the Northern Analytical Lab Services at UNBC, which is an environmental testing/research facility in Prince George. I started at FBC CCSBC’s youth program in 2020 and met some amazing youth that together formed Eco Living Kitchen (ELK) – which created workshops on reducing kitchen/food waste, and we later won the Nourishing Innovations contest to implement the Community Cooking on Campus (C3) program to address food insecurity at UNBC. I am excited to continue as Youth Director for FBC’s board and help discover ways to encourage youth to become the leaders and thinkers of the future.

Siobhan Klassen

(she/They)

Prince George (Northern BC)

My name is Siobhan Striegler Klassen, and I am seventeen years old. I live on the shores of Sinkut Lake, about fifteen kilometres south of Vanderhoof, my community. Vanderhoof and Sinkut Lake are in the unceded traditional territory of the Saik’uz Whut’en First Nation. I will be graduating high school this year, and I plan to study Environmental Science at UNBC next year. I have a deep passion for the environment and its protection, which largely stems from a love for the outdoors that has been fostered in me since I was very young. I am a musician and an actress, two more things I have been doing since I was little. I enjoy reading and painting, and often I paint the things I read about. I am very excited to be a part of the Youth Advisory Committee!

Clea Schooner

(she/Her)

Bella Bella (Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast)

My name is Clea Schooner and I am from the Tsleil-Waututh, Nuxalk, and Hailzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nations. I reside in my home territory in Bella Bella BC, at the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest as the Communications Lead for Qqs Projects Society an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization. I have spent my life surrounded by knowledge keepers who have instilled the value of environment. I work to be cognizant of the impact I have on everything and everyone around me. With that said I hope to foster Indigenous leadership in the heart of our youth. My responsibility in that work is to find ways to preserve the life and spirit of the people in my community, the people who have come before me who have conserved the ecological systems in place with environmental sustainability at the core. My goal is to meet young people where they are, in their personal and leadership journeys, and support them as individuals to bring forward the legacy of stewardship.

Théa De Paoli

(she/Her)

Kimberley (Kootenays)

I’m on my 20th trip around the sun and could not be more amazed, honoured, or privileged to call the traditional land of the Ktunaxa people home. Every day the environment around me astounds me and I’m beyond excited to be a part of this project as a way to preserve and continue appreciating the lifestyle I’ve only known.

Stephanie Mak

(she/Her)

Vancouver/Richmond (Lower Mainland & Sea-to-Sky)

I am Stephanie and I am a farmer, and environmental professional.

My area of focus is addressing food and environmental system failures through sustainable agriculture. For the past 5 years I have been learning sustainable agriculture methods from farmers in Salt Spring Island, Toronto, Japan and the Similkameen Valley. I believe that sustainable systems can only be built with a community that is empowered. My diverse lived experience as a person of color navigating through different agricultural settings includes public engagement, project management, and resource efficient agricultural practices in rural and urban farms with for-profit and non-profit structures. Through the Advisory Committee I get to join like-minded individuals that share the same vision of mobilizing youth to face climate priorities!

Ashton Kerr

(she/Her)

North Vancouver (Lower Mainland & Sea-to-Sky)

My name is Ashton, I use the pronouns she/her, and I am situated on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in North Vancouver. I am passionate about environmental education, community engagement and ultimately seek to inspire others to understand, appreciate and take care of the environment. While completing my Environmental Sciences degree at UBC, I engaged in various sustainability initiatives that focussed on climate justice, waste reduction and collective action. Through my full-time job as Program Manager of the Lower Mainland Green Team, I organize hands-on activities in nature that empower communities to take care of each other and the places they live. In my spare time, I enjoy doing outdoor activities that connect me to nature and place, reading non-fiction and playing Mario Kart. I am incredibly excited and honoured to be on the 2022-2023 FBC Youth Advisory Committee!

Olivia Jackson

(she/They)

Abbotsford (Lower Mainland & Sea-to-Sky)

Hi! I’m Olivia, I am a student at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) getting a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in the Natural Sciences. I work in the Office of Sustainability at UFV where our focus is to incorporate environmental, social, and economic sustainability by aligning with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It is important for me to take action against the challenges I see in the world, working towards being an activist and social advocate. My passion for the environment and tackling the climate crisis has brought me incredible opportunities, and I’m grateful to collaborate with others towards creating a better future for the next generations. In my free time, I love to read, tend to my plants, and collect rocks 🙂

Christina Smith

(she/Her)

Langley (Lower Mainland & Sea-to-Sky) 

Hi, my name is Christina. I am a university student soon to be graduating from my Library & Information Technology diploma program, with a concentration in Youth Services. Over the past couple of years, I have gained an interest in environmental issues and sustainability after discovering the zero-waste movement and minimalism. 

I was a part of the Fraser Basin Council’s 2021-2022 Co-Creating a Sustainable BC Fraser Valley cohort, where our group created a resource booklet with information to help families manage extreme weather events. I really enjoyed connecting with like-minded youth with a passion for sustainability, which is why I wanted to continue working with FBC and join the Youth Advisory Council.  

I aim to be a life-long learner, and that includes learning about how I can make a positive difference in my community and taking care of the earth. In my free time I enjoy creating art, photography, making videos, and going on walks in nature. 

Tatiana Mueller

(she/Her)

Kamloops (Thompson)

Hello, my name is Tatiana Mueller.  I am a half Salvadoran environmentalist with a keen interest in sustainability, environmental justice and equity.  I am currently half way through my degree in Geography and Environmental Studies at Thompson Rivers University.  After the completion of my degree, I plan on pursuing a Master degree. I find myself most at peace when surrounded by nature, and I firmly believe that preserving our natural environment is critical for future generations. I currently work part time with Friendly Composting in Kamloops where my efforts help increase sustainability within my community. Throughout 2021/2022, I participated in the Co-Creating a Sustainable BC Initiative through the Fraser Basin Council in the Thompson Cohort, in which we worked to improve the Kamloops community where I was born and raised.

Tyson Marsel

(he/Him)

Penticton (Okanagan)

Greetings from the South Okanagan! My name Is Tyson Marsel and I love the outdoors. Following my passion for fish and wildlife, I completed my Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Diploma from Vancouver Island University. Now I work for the Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries department along with currently attending Thompson Rivers University Online working towards my Degree. I am a proud member of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and Metis Nation of British Columbia and I look forward to representing my indigenous community in the Fraser Basin Council youth committee. In my spare time I enjoy fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends. With joining the FBC youth committee I am excited to build and share knowledge with likeminded youth and network important information and relationships.

Paolo Bigit

(he/Him)

Kamloops (Thompson)

I am Paolo Bigit, a Communications Professional and Multimedia Content Creator based in Kamloops, BC. I was born and raised in El Salvador, Central America, so I speak both Spanish and English. I’ve been living and enjoying BC since 2018, when I arrived to study for a BA in Communications. Some of my life interests are photography, videography, hiking, Cross Country Mountain Biking, Camping and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.

Makayla Skrlac

(she/Her)

Kelowna (Okanagan)

My name is Makayla (she/her) and I was born and raised on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people before moving to Alberta in highschool. I completed my first undergraduate degree, B.Sc Pharmacology, at McGill University in Montreal, QC. Then I got the chance to move to northern BC, to the district of Mackenzie, with my partner who is working with the BC Wildfire Service Parattack crew. While up north I started working two research assistant jobs through University of northern BC (UNBC) with the Health Arts Research Center (HARC) and the environment, community, health observatory (ECHO) Network. These research groups have taught me so much and I look forward to sharing the knowledge I’ve gained with the FBC Committee! I’ve always been an “outdoor-sy” person and enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and being near any body of water! I’m excited to be a part of the Youth Advisory Committee because I want to be an active part of climate action.

Amy Worth

(she/Her)

Duncan (Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands)

Born and raised on beautiful Vancouver Island, I currently reside in the Cowichan Valley, while I work in the Nanaimo region. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and a certificate in Management. I work at one of the longest standing youth agencies in Nanaimo as the Director of Development and Communications and as the Director of Administration.

While I am considered a youth myself, I have a two-year-old son named William, who is part Metis and who is my absolute pride and joy. My son has been a huge drive for me to want to get involved with communities at large to discuss and find solutions to matters such as climate change and sustainability.

I am both honoured and excited to be apart of the FBC Youth Committee. I look forward to connecting with other likeminded youth and I am hopeful that together we can help to create a more sustainable future for the youth of tomorrow, youth like my son.

Maia Cassie

(she/Her)

Salt Spring Island (Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands)

I’m a teen from Salt Spring Island who’s passionate about environmental action and initiatives. I’m a member of the Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians, and I’ve also worked on climate action in my community as a member of the Duncan Youth Council and other local volunteer organizations.

My passion for climate activism started in 2018, when a friend and I began an Instagram account to provide accessible information and tangible actions youth could take to address the climate crisis. This exploration of climate change launched me into the world of climate action and sustainability. Considering the people I’ve met and the impact we’ve had, I couldn’t be happier about it! My work since then has ranged from organizing and speaking at climate webinars, to putting on fundraisers, to helping lead Duncan to become Vancouver Island’s first official “Bee City”. 

I’m super excited to collaborate with and learn from other passionate youth, and shape impactful initiatives together!

Theron Cardinal

(he/She)

Sooke (Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands)

I am Cree and Dene from treaty 8 and treaty 11 territories. I’m a member of the Dene Nation, Tulita Dene band. My pronouns are he/she. I was raised on the land and waters of the Northwest Territories and the west coast of Vancouver Island. I enjoy harvesting medicines, camping, cycling, and water sports. I’m a photographer and connect to the environment through both ancestral teachings and my perceptions of our world today. I am invited to guest speak in university classes on two-spirit identity, autism, and intergenerational impacts of residential schools. Mahsi cho, Hwiske.