Kániɫkas Desiree Lawson

Kániɫkas, Desiree Lawson, is a mom of 2, a wife, daughter, sister, cousin, and auntie to many! 

She is currently in her second year of her master’s in Resource and Environmental Management (REM) in the Faculty of Environment in the Ocean Relations Collaborative at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She is also in the Indigenous Languages immersion program (INLG) for Haíɫzaqḷa through SFU in her home community of Bella Bella.

She applies that knowledge to her research in ancestral λíλápac̓i̓ - clam gardens in her traditional Haíɫzaqv territory. With a prioritization on how to continue caring for λíλápac̓í that her ancestors created for future generations.

Desiree is passionate about ensuring that the gifts her ancestors left for her continue to be respected and cared for (indigenous governance) in a way that her children, grandchildren, and so on can continue relying on clams for a healthy, sustainable food source into the future. Considering climate change and predictions of sea-level rise, Desiree is assessing how her traditional territory and λápac̓í will be affected.

Desiree has received a diploma in Resource and Environmental Management (RMOT), a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Protection both from Vancouver Island University (VIU). She has received a graduate fellowship from SFU. The Raincoast Conservation Student award was presented to Desiree in 2023 for outstanding research undertaken by a graduate student. The Conservation Through Reconciliation Bursary has also been awarded to Desiree to connect more community members with λa̓bac̓i in Haíɫzaqv territory.