Justine Townsend

IPCA Planning and Research Lead

Dr. Justine Townsend holds a cross-appointed position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation (IOF) and Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. Justine is leading engagement, planning, and research to support the development of an IPCA Research Centre. This effort is complemented by a postdoctoral fellowship with UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability in partnership with IOF. She is also an instructor in the IPCA Planning Certificate at VIU, a program co-developed with IOF.

Since 2017, Justine has dedicated herself to learning about and supporting Indigenous-led conservation and IPCAs. In 2022, she completed a PhD on IPCAs as potential processes of reconciliation.

Justine is enthusiastic about decolonization and systems change. She has worked in cross-cultural and Indigenous contexts for nearly 20 years and has a background in environmental assessments, community engagement, and research. Justine brings a relationships-focused approach to her leadership and fosters collaboration using strong communication, facilitation, and project management skills.

She is a first generation Canadian of European ancestry who gratefully resides in K’ómoks territory on Vancouver Island. She loves working in service of Indigenous-led conservation and is continually inspired by her colleagues and collaborators. When she’s not working she can be found frolicking in the forest.

E-mail: justine@iisaakolam.ca
E-mail: Justine.Townsend@viu.ca

P1036953

Other Team Members

WEST COAST IPCA CONSERVATION COORDINATOR
Abby is passionate about catalyzing creative and holistic solutions that address complex conservation challenges. She approaches her work with an artistic lens, woven with ...
IPCA Education & Food Systems Coordinator
Lauren Bernardi joins the IISAAK OLAM Foundation after connecting with co-founder Eli Enns through her Master's degree course work at the UN University for ...
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Monica is a highly strategic, creative, and solutions-oriented leader, acknowledged for her ability to transform visions, concepts and ideas into successful programs and initiatives. ...
Director
Joseph (Joe) Martin has spent decades mastering the art of traditional ƛaʔuukʷiatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) canoe carving. ...
Research and Engagement Coordinator
Isabel's interests can mostly be pinned at the intersections between community planning, ecology, and regenerative economic development. ...
Officer of the Order of Canada
Dr. John Borrows is one of the world’s leading scholars on Indigenous law. Dr. Borrows is a full professor of law at the University ...
Cross-Cultural Relations Coordinator
Anaïs Brusel is an aspiring leader and entrepreneur in Transpersonal Psychology, dedicated to inner healing and community development. Hailing from Northern France, she embodies ...
Education and International Relations
Dr. Soudeh Jamshidian is a passionate leader, experienced in crafting dynamic and creative solutions for addressing environmental and social justice challenges. She is a ...
CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics
Carol Anne Hilton, MBA is the CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics. Carol Anne is a dynamic ...
IISAAK OLAM Foundation Co-Founder and CEO, Vice President of the Board
Eli Enns is an internationally recognized expert in Indigenous-led conservation. From Tla-o-qui-aht Nation on his father’s side, and of Dutch Mennonite heritage on his ...
Award-Winning Producer, Author, Director and Scriptwriter
Barbara Todd (Metis/Cree), owner of Aarrow Productions, Inc., is a producer, author, documentary director and scriptwriter. She is the daughter of Judy Todd (Sharp) ...
Ethical Space Education Coordinator
Candice Steven is a passionate outdoor enthusiast with over two decades’ experience leading outdoor adventures and nature connection activities and learning opportunities for youth ...
Chief of T’Sou-ke Nation and Clean Energy Innovator
Gordon Planes (Hya-Quatcha) has been the elected chief of T’Sou-ke Nation on southern Vancouver Island since 2008 and has embarked on a 100-year process ...
IPCA Infrastructure and Systems Design
Eric is a PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria. His position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation is made possible by ...
Director of Communications
Kristy Tomkinson is a thoughtful and conscientious collaborator who is passionate about storytelling that inspires curiosity, creates meaningful connections, and advances social justice. She ...
Tla-o-qui-aht Elder and Cultural Educator
Levi Martin was born in Opitsaht, a Tla-o-qui-aht Nation village on Meares Island, on the west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino. As a ...
Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient
Marilyn Baptiste is a former councillor and former Chief of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation in British Columbia, one of the six First Nations ...
Director
Jeremy Williams is an award winning filmmaker with 25 years of experience producing grassroots documentary films. ...
President of the Board and West Coast IPCA Conservation Director
Terry is from TLA-O-QUI-AHT FIRST NATIONS from the House of Hi-you-eah which is represented by the SEITCHER family. In 2003, when he got married ...
IPCA Planning and Research Lead
Dr. Justine Townsend holds a cross-appointed position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation (IOF) and Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. ...