2022

Gracie Crafts (she/her) (Niizhogiiziskwe - Two Suns Woman) is of the Marten clan from Wasauksing First Nation. She is Two-Spirit Anishinaabe and non – Indigenous (mixed European and Jewish) woman.  She grew up in Parry Sound, Ontario. She attended Trent University where she completed a BSc in Indigenous Environmental Science. Gracie is a Master of Science student working with Dr. Danielle Ignace (Ignace Lab) and Dr. Lori Daniels at the University of British Columbia.

In 2018, she co-founded Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth (GBAY) with three other Anishinaabek youth from the Eastern Georgian Bay region. They work in partnership with Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere, a UNESCO World Biosphere. The foundation of their work is Anishinaabe aadziwin – cultural land-based learning to reconnect youth to their lands and culture through safe and meaningful ways.

Gracie's research takes place within the traditional territory of the Syilx Peoples at Vaseux Lake in the Southern Interior of British Columbia The main objectives of her research are:

1. To address the gaps in knowledge about what plant species are found at Vaseux Lake and how these plant species interact with low intensity fire.

2. Including more Traditional Ecological Knowledge and place – based learning to emphasize culturally significant species and their importance for Syilx Peoples while enhancing perspectives on species richness, diversity and dominance.