Where She’s From

Kwakwaka'wakw ('Nakwaxda'xw and Ligwiłda'xw by blood, Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations band member) & Métis (Red River Valley, Marion family) Grew up in Kwaguł territory (Port Hardy, BC)

Jessie has been working as a planner since 2008 and co-founded Sanala (formerly Alderhill Planning) in 2016. She believes that Indigenous planning has a pivotal role to play in making the world a better place. In addition to her role as CEO of Sanala, Jessie teaches an Indigenous planning practicum program at the University of British Columbia and has taught Indigenous planning and facilitation at Vancouver Island University, Simon Fraser University, and elsewhere. She was elected into local government twice, as Councillor for the District of Port Hardy, and served on regional and provincial advisories in that role. She was also a member of her Nation’s Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors and is currently on the editorial board for the journal Planning Theory & Practice. When not in zoom meetings with her incredible staff and clients, or facilitating events out in community, she can be found spending time with her family and friends.