Ocean Resources

The Ocean Resources Team manages SC’IȺNEW’s traditional plants, animals, and waters.

About

Ocean Resources is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the ecosystem through Environmental Monitoring and data capture to create a baseline of species health, and working to optimize conditions for critical species like eelgrass, sea urchins, and other parts of the food chain.

Ocean Resources is a team of talented community members equipped with a wide range of skills from scuba diving to operating marine vessels and drones – all in order to keep SC’IȺNEW’s waters safe.

State of Art Spill Response:

In addition, Ocean Resources is prepared should a tanker spill in SC’IȺNEW Territory, through coordinated training and efforts with the Canadian Coast Guard.

“We are the only Nation in South Island that has a spill response base – we have the largest spill response ship in Canada housed at our docks.”

– Chief Russ Chipps

Meet The Team:

Michael Campbell

Project Manager

Coming Soon…

Sheeba Sawyer

Office Manager

Sheeba helps anywhere she can within the community, serving as the lands committee, officer manager for ocean resources, and council member. She also provides security services for the nation.

Outside of her Beecher Bay responsibilities, Sheeba is a full-time mother to two daughters and a son. She has completed training and is certified for proposal grant writing and administrative communications, she has excellent computer skills, she has helped many members with resumes. She is also licensed to drive vessels with her SVOP. Sheeba has an Advanced Drone Pilot license. She completed her Project Management Course last year and is now a certified Project Management.

Gordon Charles

Knowledge Keeper

Coming Soon…

Michelle Modeste

Executive Assistant

Coming Soon…

Clarence Campbell

Main Vessel Operator

Coming Soon…

Tavion Charles

Drone Operator /Diver

Tavion works with Ocean Resources’ scuba diving team and drone operations. His responsibility is to survey and do underwater sea assessments by transect lines. His team’s efforts are primarily focused on knowing where the sea urchins are and where to harvest them. The goal is to build sustainability and ensure that all sea urchins and seafood in their territory don’t disappear. He wants to help secure the future and the community’s resources for the next generation, especially now that he’s preparing to be a father.

Tavion was a tree faller with the forestry department and helped deal with invasive species. He did this for nine years before efforts were switched to ocean resources.

Tavion trained to scuba dive for close to a year. He then trained in surface supply, which is akin to diving but with big metal helmets. Extra training Tavion has completed includes ghost gear removal, hydraulic tools, pneumatic tools, and exothermic cutting.

When not working, Tavion enjoys hobbies like bouldering or free climbing, as well as dabbling in mechanics.

Tim Charles

Marine Liaison Officer

Tim Charles is from SC’IȺNEW First Nation. He is the marine liaison officer for Ocean Resources, and his job is to coordinate training between the First Nations and the Canadian Coast Guard. These include oil spill response training, where members are taught how to protect their traditional areas in the event of an oil spill. Tim is also one of the main vessel operators for the Ocean Resources Team.

When asked how he would like to impact the community, Tim says he just wants to protect their area and help train the younger generation to be out on the water and respect nature. Before starting at Ocean Resources, he was part of the forestry crew.

Tim is very involved in the lives of his four kids. He makes sure they do well at school and supports whatever interests they choose to pursue. He also enjoys fishing in his spare time.

Marcus Goldsmith

Diver

Coming Soon…

Theoren

Community Ocean Resources Ambassador

Theoren serves as the Community Ocean Resources Ambassador, warmly welcoming everyone who walks through the door. Known for his cheerful disposition and positive energy, he often sings for everyone and brings members of the community together.

While Theoren may be non-verbal, he is, without a doubt, the biggest part of the Ocean Resources team. He is the spotter when the guys are diving and he makes sure they are safe by watching over them intently.