New Staff

Ashleigh DeSoto

Ashleigh DeSoto

Tahltan Stewardship Initiative Land Use Planner Hello! My name is Ashleigh DeSoto, and I am thrilled to join the Tahltan Central Government in the role of Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) Land Use Planner.

My recent work has been with the Province of British Columbia, in the natural resource sector. During this time, I have negotiated and managed multiple stewardship projects and agreements, including projects under the Collaborative Stewardship Forum and a major Reconciliation Agreement in the South Coast Region. These experiences have enabled me to understand the complex legislative and policy contexts that impact land use and stewardship planning, as well as the importance of deep engagement with the community when making decisions about the land. I am looking forward to integrating this understanding with new learnings about Tahltan values and land interests to support the successful completion of the Tahltan Land Stewardship Plan.

I grew up in Texas with a large and close extended family in the heart of the Piney Woods. I am lucky to have had many great teachers in my life who led with curiosity and kindness, which are values that I try to bring to my relationships and my work each day.

I moved to the Lower Mainland in 2002. I live on the unceded territory of the Kwikwetlem and Katzie people, with my spouse. We have recently taken up vegetable gardening and birding as shared hobbies, though we are consistently outsmarted by squirrels and crows. I also spend a lot of time reading, cooking, writing, playing card games, spending quality time with friends and family, and lifting weights. I love to talk with other people about their interests and passions. I hope to be able to do that soon with some of you.

I am grateful and exited to join the Tahltan team and help support the achievement of Tahltan’s stewardship goals.

“I am looking forward to integrating this understanding with new learnings about Tahltan values and land interests to support the successful completion of the Tahltan Land Stewardship Plan.”

New Staff

Kailene Louie

Kailene Louie

Archive Assistant Hi, my name is Kailene Louie. I am from Tatl’ah and have lived in territory most of my life other than finishing high school in Smithers, British Columbia. I am from the Carlick family and belong to the Tsesk’iye Clan. My grandparents are Andy and Penny Louie. My mother is Andrea Louie.

I have been hired as the Archive Assistant for the Tahltan Central Government. I am excited to be a part of a team that is working to preserve our history and culture for future generations. My daughter is my greatest inspiration, and I cannot wait to share what I learn with her.

“I am excited to be a part of a team that is working to preserve our history and culture for future generations. My daughter is my greatest inspiration, and I cannot wait to share what I learn with her.”

New Staff Julia Payne

Julia Payne

Language Documentation Specialist Hello, my name is Julia Payne. I have been recently hired as the Language Documentation Specialist for the Tahltan Central Government. I am the oldest child of John and Barbara Payne, eldest granddaughter of Charles and Peggy Quock. I am a mother to two children and Tsu Tsu to one granddaughter.

I was born in my grandparents’ log cabin in Iskut, where I spent the first few years of my life. During my first eight years, I lived in many different places from Iskut and Telegraph Creek to Joplin, Missouri. I eventually settled in Prince George, British Columbia where I graduated from high school.

I have held a variety of employment positions in my life from manual labor positions to management, and as a business owner. Much of my career has been in administration involving the delivery of various programs for First Nations.

I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to fulfill the role of Language Documentation Specialist for the TCG. It is my strong belief that learning and preserving our language and culture is critical not only for the strength of the Nation but also to build confidence individually. I am proud to follow in the footsteps of my grandparents who were heavily involved in language and culture programs here in Iskut for many years.

I heard a quote that sums up my view best:

“A people without the knowledge of their past, origin, and culture is like a tree without its roots.”

New Staff

Naia Pennington

Naia Pennington

Aquatic Protection Officer

Hello everyone! My name is Naia Pennington, and I cannot wait to learn all that I can with the TCG Fisheries Department as their Aquatic Protection Officer. Some of you may already know me as the “dog groomer,” but I am very excited for this new opportunity to work more directly towards the interests of the Tahltan.

I have always loved being amongst nature, and my passion for helping the wildlife has only grown over the years. My love for the outdoors really sunk in during elementary school, in Revelstoke, BC, while we were on a field trip to some of the wetlands out of town. I was absolutely blown away by the sheer amount of diversity and active critters I could find in all those little pools and puddles I stepped through. It fascinated me to no end. Camping with my family and my time in Army Cadets while out on expedition courses are some of my fondest memories. While I was striving for my bachelor’s degree at Thompson Rivers University, I took a field course at Well’s Grey Park on field techniques. I had such a fantastic time identifying plants and birds and wading through the streams to find and learn about the local aquatic critters. Also, while spending some years in Nanaimo, BC, I completed my scuba diving qualifications and have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the marine life in our beautiful oceans. I eventually graduated with my bachelor’s degree in ecology and natural sciences and was eager to get my boots on the ground.

My fiancé has begun fondly referring to me as a “bird nerd” but it extends much further than that. I love learning about the edible plants in this region, as well as the different fungi that can be found in northern BC and spent most of my first summer in Dease Lake doing exactly that. I caught my very first fish here as well (my parents were never big fishermen) and am looking forward to much more in the future!

Additionally, I have loved learning about all sorts of cultures, and due to this love, I try to learn tidbits of languages from whoever will lend me their time. I just find the cultural differences throughout the world so beautiful, and in saying this, I cannot wait to dive into learning more about the Tahltan people and their local customs. Thank you for having me!

“My love for the outdoors really sunk in during elementary school, in Revelstoke, BC, while we were on a field trip to some of the wetlands out of town. I was absolutely blown away by the sheer amount of diversity and active critters I could find in all those little pools and puddles I stepped through. It fascinated me to no end. ”