Biography

Penny is from the Kitasoo First Nation, with maternal ties to the Lax Kw' laams First Nation.

She began a M.Sc. (Sep 2006) with the Resource Management and Environmental Studies program at UBC. Her research is on the effect of climate change, genetic diversity, and cultural valuation of Porphyra abbottiae (culturally essential edible seaweed) with BC coastal First Nation communities supervised by Dr. Sandra Lindstrom (botany) and Dr. Chris Harley (zoology).

She completed her bachelors degree (1 st class) at the University of Victoria (Biology/Environmental Studies) with focused work in marine ecology, shellfish aquaculture, and coastal First Nations issues. Penny has worked with the Kitasoo Fisheries Program (technician), the Bamfield Huu-ay-aht Community Abalone Project (technician), and Blue Revolution Consulting Group/Kingzett Professional Services Ltd. (shellfish aquaculture research associate).

Also, she currently works with the Metlakatla First Nation, Malaspina University-College, and UBC Fisheries. The Metlakatla First Nation is currently contracting her to act as the project leader of two detailed surveys in their traditional territory. For Malaspina University-College she is an instructor for the clam survey courses for the Shellfish Research Centre. The UBC Fisheries contract Penny to present their Aboriginal Fisheries “Roadshow” program, providing grassroots outreach to aboriginal groups and students. In her “spare time”, she pursues photography and graphic design and has showed in four group shows in an “Isle of the Arts” gallery with a solo show coming up in 2007.