Can you tell me a bit about who you are and where you’re from?
My name is Natasha Keith, I’m 21, and I grew up living in Tsawwassen until I was 11. I moved to Parksville which is on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw and Qualicum First Nations and was very privileged to live there for about 7 years until I moved to Victoria 4 years ago when I started my degree at UVic. I’m grateful to be living on the traditional territory of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations and having the chance to work with Tsartlip First Nation.
I just finished my third year at UVic studying environmental studies, climate action, and economics. This summer I am doing a four month Co-op as the Tsartlip Summer Day Camp Coordinator.
My ancestry on my maternal grandfather’s side is from Snuneymuxw First Nation and Cowichan Tribes and my ancestry on my father’s side is Scottish and English settlers.
What’s your title and what do you do?
I am the Tsartlip Summer Day Camp Coordinator. Right now, I am planning all the activities and field trips for the day camp and managing the registrations. Once the camp starts, I will be keeping track of attendance of the campers and overseeing all the daily activities to make sure everything runs smoothly. I want to prioritize communication and help create and maintain a safe and inclusive space for everyone, while fostering a sense of community and cultural connection as well.
Could you share some of the background and experience you bring to this position?
I have experience working with children at a daycare and also I was an ice skating coach while I was in Parksville, as I was a competitive figure skater for 8 years. I worked with the kids, planning lessons and activities with them, to make sure everyone was having a fun time learning new skills but also maintaining all the safety regulations.
During my environmental studies, I have further developed my understanding of traditional ecological knowledge and that is something I’m definitely interested in incorporating into some activities and lessons with the Day Camp, focusing on some more land-based learning.
What kind of work will you be doing with Tsartlip?
We’re hoping to work with the community, inviting members for workshops to share their skills and knowledge for drum and cedar rose making, gardening, and ecological restoration. I think these activities will be a great chance for the kids to learn hands-on, be creative, and deepen connections with others and their culture.
What kind of impact do you hope to have during your time at Tsartlip?
I really want to get to know as many people in the community and help bring all these children together at the day camp and feel safe and included in all the activities together. My goal is to make sure everyone has a fun time, being active, creative, and creating friendships, while also maintaining a sense of well-being and safety. I hope everyone can make good memories, and take away new skills and knowledge that they can go forward with.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending time with my family and my friends, hiking, running, surfing, and playing volleyball. I also like going to the beach and reading books.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the community?
I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be here and I’m definitely approaching the role with humility and knowing that I have a lot to learn about this specific community and the families that I’m going to be working with, and so looking forward to forming those relationships and developing them throughout the next few months.
