RAVEN is excited to welcome our newest team member, Lauren Meekma. Lauren is a settler of mixed European ancestry who grew up on Syilx territory before moving to lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territories in 2022. Lauren comes to our team with an undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria, majoring in Sociology, where she intersected themes of environmental justice, environmental racism, and Indigenous sovereignty into her areas of focus.
Lauren is deeply passionate about community and collaboration. Read on to learn more about why Lauren was drawn to working for RAVEN and the intentional relationships she’s building with the land and each other.
What drew you to working with RAVEN?
During my time at the University of Victoria, my academic studies often reflected my passion for environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty. I always found a way to incorporate discussions about these topics throughout my studies. Since completing my undergraduate degree, I’ve realized that learning doesn’t occur only within the walls of an institution but continues throughout your life course. I’m really honoured and excited to be engaging in this work with RAVEN to continue to grow my knowledge and skills. After following RAVEN’s work for several years, I found that RAVEN’s overall values and goals regarding Indigenous leadership, environmentalism, and amplification of Indigenous land claims issues were aligned with work I have always felt drawn towards. It has also been an important value of mine to be a part of something larger than myself, which led me to discover a passion for working within the Non – Profit industry. RAVEN’s positive influence throughout the community and drive to make historical changes stood out as an organization that I knew I wanted to be a part of.
What is your favorite part of the job so far?
So far, I have been thrilled to be a part of the “behind the scenes” of RAVEN. I have been blown away by witnessing how much work is continuously being done to guarantee that all moving pieces are aligned. I have also noticed that each person holds a very mighty role throughout the organization, and they all harbor their own ecosystems of knowledge and skills, not limited to our staff directly with RAVEN, also including our board members, donors, and volunteers. I have been eager to come into the office each day to learn and grow alongside this foundational team to further uphold RAVEN’s missions and values.
I have to admit, it is not every day you get the opportunity to work for an employer that you are immensely proud of the work that is being done, and I am so grateful and excited to be a part of this team.
What does Indigenous Sovereignty mean to you?
I understand Indigenous sovereignty to be fundamental to the land back movement. It also holds an integral role in Indigenous rights and overall environmental justice. The necessity of amplifying the need for the return of unceded land stems from just one root of a very complex and colonial system. As a settler, Indigenous sovereignty also means for me to ensure that I am always listening and coming into a space with a good heart and mind. It is also important to recognize that while Indigenous sovereignty amplifies the importance of Indigenous voices and self-governance in relation to land and culture, there is still a vast amount of ongoing work and learning to do as settlers in understanding our roles and responsibilities during these important conversations.
What makes you feel connected to the land or water? Do you have any practices that keep you grounded in the natural world?
I’ve always found a large appreciation for spending time on the land. Growing up on Sylix territory, I spent a lot of my early years exploring the area that I had called home for the majority of my life. I’ve since moved to lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territory in 2022 and have started to make sure I spend as much time as possible outside, as it is a privilege to have the time and ability to do so. I’ve been grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about the lands that I currently reside on as an uninvited visitor. The lessons that have been shared with me have opened my mind to practicing a deeper and more intentional relationship with the land, whether this manifests in saying hello to the hummingbirds that dance from the trees as I walk, or simply taking a moment at a freshwater stream – I’ve been more conscious of the interconnectedness of the environment that surrounds us. I’ve found contentment in leisurely forest walks that end with a cold ocean dip or trying my best to keep standing on my surfboard. It has been a privilege to reside in such a beautiful part of the world.
How would your friends describe your interests?
I enjoy surrounding myself with like-minded people, leaving room for good in-depth conversation about very similar interests. My friends and I enjoy sharing personal stories, listening to and finding new music, keeping up to date on current affairs, and finding joy in looking after the environment around us. I am very lucky to have found my group of people who align greatly with who I am! Additionally, I recently had the opportunity to participate in restoration work with a few RAVEN team members. This is a new activity that I am excited to engage in more frequently with my friends, especially with permission from local communities who are encouraging restoration work on their land.
What’s something that brought you joy in the last year?
I’ve always been very fond of spending time within community. Last year, during my time working at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, I shared many meals with community members, attended various community events, and, in turn, ended the year with many stories, laughs, lessons, and teachings that I value each day. By spending this time in community, I was able to meet individuals that I typically wouldn’t find myself conversing with during my regular daily routines. I will forever value those moments that strangers turned into friends over a shared meal, and will be excited to continue my presence throughout the community with RAVEN.
