I am 31 years old, I live in Paynton SK, I am married with twin sons Ben and Jack.
My family has been involved in tourism for over 120 years and our family farm in the area just celebrated its 100 years. We have always been involved in our community and the area. My dad is involved in wheelchair sports and mixed abilities awareness. My mom is a music teacher and raised both me and my sister as vegetarians. My grandfathers both had travelling bands that serviced the area; my uncle runs our family music store in North Battleford established in the 1950s.
I am a graduate of Adventure Tourism Outdoor Recreation and I have spent the last 10 years of my life promoting the great outdoors and actively guiding. I spent two and a half years working in marketing for Northern Saskatchewan Tourism with Tourism Saskatchewan. I travelled all over our country and mingled with many international tourism promoters always singing the praises of Saskatchewan.
In 2007 I started Clearwater Canoeing. We are doing very well. We do guided expeditions in the area, school programming, voyager canoe tours, rentals, and sell canoes and kayaks. Most recently we were one of nine businesses to be awarded the Leave No Trace, Canada's Master Educator Instructors program award. Other schools that received the award include NOLS and Strathcona Park Lodge in BC. We also had the distinction of winning the 2008 Tourism Saskatchewan Rookie of the Year Award. This year is our busiest year yet and we are now offering wholistic women’s retreats and family adventure programing.
I have also been a very active part of my community and area politically. Starting all the way back in high school I was on two SRCs (Student Representative Councils), and involved in the International Baccalaureate program. I have been on over 30 different boards and organizations including REDA (Rural Economic Development Association), Maidstone Hospital, Canoe and Kayak Saskatchewan, and of course our local farmers’ market.
I spent four years on local council having to abstain for a year because I was super pregnant.
I have organized and taken part in various local environmental causes and various events like the David Thompson Brigade at Pine Island, started our local farmers’ market. I pitch in wherever I can.
I was the proud candidate previously for the Greens (2007 Election) and I was even more excited to be asked to represent our area again, mostly because I will have more time this time.
Why Green? I have never found a political party more in tune with my personal and business commitments. I believe that people deserve and want a choice in their area.
I am well known within the constituency boundaries and the province as an environmental advocate and a Green supporter. I do believe I represent the area well and I hope to represent the Greens well in this year’s election.
