Kip (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, white settler of Ukrainian and Scottish ancestry. They were born and raised on the Treaty Lands and Territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples in so-called Ontario. 

They grew up immersed in summer camp from the early age of 5 years old, and stayed in that magical place of being and belonging for 17 years, working their way through the ranks of camperhood and staffing from Assistant Counsellor, to Head of Theatre and beyond to Operations Manager. Their experience at camp solidified a joy of sharing song in group, being their goofiest, most outrageous self, and hearing myth told around a central fire. It was in this place that their loving relationship with the natural elements was born. 

Kip holds an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies with a certificate in Sexual and Gender Diversity. During their studies, their passion for intersectional analysis and birthing justices outside of oppressive systems was ignited. They believe the harms of oppression are often a result of the disconnection from our fundamental needs in this modern industrial culture. Kip sees that we have been uprooted from the relational awarenesses required for wellness: our thresholds of belonging with ourselves, with others and with land. This deeply informs their work with nature-based education as they continue to nurture a deeper socio-political awareness in themselves, their community and their students (little mentors).

Kip brings their love of song, wild-crafting, herbal medicine-making, asking the big questions, and other nature-based skills to their work to support youth to discover their gifts and places where they belong. Kip is passionate to run nature-based, queer ecology programs to bridge the diversity that links humans to the natural world as a source of great joy, wonder, and self- acceptance and deep resourcing. Above all else, Kip believes in the power of play and connection as doorways into a type of embodiment that allows us to show up more wholly for tending the needs of the cultural wounding in our modern world. This passion has led to their community offering, "Big Kids" which holds space for Queer and Trans adults to step back into the magic of play from a trauma-informed place, inviting their inner children to find home in their adult bodies. As well as the community song circle they began in Victoria in 2022, named "Attune". As they plant their wee rootlets up island in Cumberland over the next year, they hope to bring forth more community singing offerings, focused on grief, embodiment and connection informed by their many years of mentoring and learning with local grief worker & ancestral healer, Shauna Janz.

Working in the realms of forest school has become an enriching and practical place to play through all of their learnings and passions, with sweet kiddos nonetheless! Since beginning their work as a forest mentor 6 years ago with Thriving Roots, they have worked with EPIC Learning Centre, Victoria Nature School, Big Kids and Fianna Wilderness School with all ages from as young as 3, to 50+! Within these programs, Kip has discovered the potency of wellness when healing in community, and is deeply committed to helping (inner) children feel held in their wholeness as they grow into connected, thoughtful and insightful humans. 

Kip can’t wait for you to find them curled up on a patch of moss underneath a sprawling Arbutus tree, learning how to sing to their ancestors and catching songs in the wind.