The Witnesses

The place I call home is Nex̱wlélex̱wm, the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) name for Bowen Island, meaning "beat a fast rhythm," referencing the sound of the tide in the channel; the island is part of the Squamish Nation's unceded traditional territory and has historical use as a hunting and meeting place, with another name, Xwlíl'xhwm, meaning "Fast Drumming Ground" also used.

I am deeply grateful for the stewardship of this land by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation since time out of mind. I am grateful that my children and I know, and are learning from, this land and its people.

I am grateful that in 2020 I had the opportunity to participate in ceremony acknowledging Nex̱wlélex̱wm:  https://bowenlibrary.ca/community/nexwlelexwm/Links to an external site.

Chén̓chenstway is a powerful Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) word and concept meaning to "lift each other up," "support one another," or "uphold one another," signifying mutual empowerment, shared responsibility, and working together with an equal-power dynamic, contrasting with hierarchical "helping". It's a core cultural value emphasizing co-creation and collective strength, used in various contexts like community building, reconciliation, and organizational ethics within the Squamish Nation and beyond.

My family are settlers on this land. Our ancestors come from the highlands, lowlands, and islands of Scotland. From our Celtic roots we say "lang may yer lum reek", wishing someone a long and healthy life. The literal translation is “long may your chimneys smoke”, signifying historically that if a person is keeping a fire burning then they are still prosperous and healthy.

In 2020 I was nominated for the inaugural Reconciliation in Action Ally category of YWCA’s 37th annual Women of Distinction Awards. 

At Simon Fraser University I work as a social psychologist with research and field experience in outdoor education, governance, regulation and restorative justice. I have engaged in research in diverse areas: equity, diversity and inclusion; social identity; the self and self-interest; bullying and belonging; justice, reconciliation and self-determination.  A number of current projects and initiatives focus on re-imagining justice through the arts.

Home | The Circle Project

I am the Director of the Research and Engagement Centre for Restorative Justice.  The Centre was co-founded by the late Dr. Liz Elliott:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcEC-k90O3A

The Centre supports interdisciplinary work that develops critical and reflective praxis that frames problems of crime and justice; public health and safety; education and development in ways that re-imagine and transform individuals, communities and governance.   The work in the field of restorative justice focuses on praxis within and between three institutional systems: justice; education and health.   Members of the Centre serve on a range of working groups internationally, nationally, provincially and locally.  The Centre is leading the national roll out of the Canadian Restorative Justice Research and Knowledge Network.

Natasha Hill is an artist and studio manager based in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She serves as a creative partner at CollabARTive Studios and is actively engaged in community arts at both the local and provincial levels through the Weyburn Arts Council and the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC). As a witness in this doctoral research, she contributes reflective insight grounded in lived experience within community-based arts practice.