Dukwalisala — Brian Svanvik is a member of the ‘Namgis First Nation. His name, in his grandmother’s language, is Dukwalisala and means “Seeing all over the world,” which was chosen based on the work he was doing at the time the name was given.

Brian was born and raised on ‘Yalis — the ‘Namgis name for Cormorant Island, half of which is First Nations Reserve. The other half is municipal.

Brian has spent 27 years working for ‘Namgis in various roles, starting in IT as a trainee and moving to the treaty and natural resources department as a GIS technician, doing mostly cartography. He has experience working with forest professionals, industry, and government. He’s also been an active participant in cultural activities and speaks confidently and strongly about what the ‘Namgis membership wants for the future of its lands and resources.

Currently the ‘Namgis director of natural resources, Brian recently worked on the Forest Landscape Plan and Forest Operations Plan as part of the Gwa’ni Project for TFL 37 with Western Forest Products.