Our Team
Sheila Joe’s ancestral name is Swalisélwet, named after her Great, Great, Great Grandfather Captain John Swalis of Soowahlie. She is of Stó:lō and Southern Tutchone ancestry from Th’ewá:lí (Soowahlie) and Champagne Aishihik First Nations in the Yukon respectively. Sheila joined the S’ólh Téméxw Guardian Unit in October 2023 as the Supervisor.
Sheila has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Fraser Valley. Her work experience is in Heritage and Culture working with a self-governing Yukon First Nation. She acknowledges the importance of our relationships on the land, water, resources and community that intertwine with our traditional knowledge and the responsibilities that we must carry every single day. The Guardian hats never come off; it is a lifelong commitment to protecting these resources for our future generations.
As the Guardian Supervisor, it is her commitment to work closely with the Guardians to support their important work of being the eyes, ears and boots on the ground in S’ólh Téméxw.
Danya a proud Stò:lō person from the Xwchíyò:m and Sts’siles First Nations, married into and living on the SQ’EWQÉYL First Nation. She began her journey as a S’olh Téméxw Guardian in 2021 and has been dedicated to working with the Stò: lō Nation for the past 13 years.
Danya is a devoted mother of two and a loving Aunty of many, who is very passionate about supporting her First Nation communities, working directly with boots on the ground to make a positive impact now and for future generations.
Dion Weisbrod joined the S’ólh Téméxw Guardians in 2021 and has been a steward on the land his whole life. As a Guardian, his focus is on monitoring Cultural and Heritage sites. Dion is committed to working with industry proponents and member Nations to ensure that work on S’ólh Téméxw is done in a safe and sensitive manner.
Dion was born and raised on Ch’iyaqtel First Nation and still lives on Nation lands.
Santana McKay joined the S’ólh Téméxw Guardians in 2024. As a Guardian, his focus is on monitoring cultural and heritage sites, and he is committed to protecting and practicing Stò:lō culture – ensuring cultural practice and land use is available not only today but also for future generations.
Santana is from the Chi:yom and Skwa First Nations. He also has Inuit ancestry on his maternal grandmother’s side of the family.
Ray joined the S’ólh Téméxw Guardian team, as the first boots on the ground member, on September 3rd of the year 2020. Previously, he had worked with the BC Wildfire Service for 13 years in total. He spent eight of these years as a BC Wildfire Unit Crew Leader (2012-2020).
Additionally, Ray has experience training and working alongside BC Park Rangers while undertaking S’ólh Téméxw Guardian priorities. He is from the Pélóxw Tribe on his Father’s side and the Tel Tiyt Tribe on his Mother’s side – both Tribes are within S’ólh Téméxw (Our Land).
Chris Schultz’s ancestral name is Xwelmoqw’ches. He joined the S’ólh Téméxw Guardians in January of 2025. As a guardian, his focus will be on the native species in S’ólh Téméxw and the interests of the Indigenous communities. He brings experience in ecological restoration and fish habitat restoration. He was born and raised on Sq’éwqel and is a member of Sq’éwqel as well.
His favourite hobby is birdwatching and spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Xwelmexw Xá:seleq tel skwíx telí chel kw’e Sq’éwqel.
Kaylo’s traditionally given name is Xá:seleq, determined one, and he is from Seabird Island Band.
He graduated in the largest cohort of Seabird Island High School in 2021, gained his certificate in Ecological Restoration at Seabird Island College in partnership with Royal Roads University and Keefer Ecological Services Ltd. in 2022. He then began working for his Band in 2023 for 2 years under Lands in infrastructure. He has also been a volunteer firefighter for his Band since 2022.
Two hallmarks he is proud to say he achieved at Sq’éwqel were speaking at the “Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association Conference and AGM,” Student Panel in 2023, and traveling on behalf of his Band and Lands team as a youth representative for, “First Nations Leading the Way 6th Conference.”
Kaylo’s experience with Sq’éwqel has instilled a deep motivation to protect and serve S’ólh Téméxw. He is driven by a passion for conservation and advocacy of our Indigenous worldview and values, fueling his strong desire to make a meaningful impact for all our relations. As a Land Guardian at the Stó:lō Research & Resource Management Centre, he is determined to contribute his motivation to the preservation of our world, culture, gifts, and practices in his time, place, and moment among S’ólh Téméxw.
He enjoys working wherever he may be out in the field, and he is always learning. He also likes to create art, swim, hike, and spend time with family.
