Sharing Wisdom: Indigenous Elders Perspectives on Waste and the Environment | Session 1 with Elder Garry Oker
– DETAILS –
Another great Virtual Event Series!
Series Event Dates: April 23, 2026, 1:00-2:00 / July 23, 2026, 1:00-2:00 / November 5, 2026, 1:00-2:00
Using a respectful, interview-style storytelling format, CWMA members will hear from Indigenous Elders from across BC as they share their observations and experiences. Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the land for millennia, and their perspectives stem from this deep, continuous connection that we can all learn from.
CWMA is proud to partner with Indigenous Community for Leadership & Development (ICLD) to bring this series to life. ICLD have worked with over 90 First Nations communities in British Columbia and has developed strong relationships with them all. As an organization, they place Indigenous traditional knowledge at the forefront of their operations and are committed to sharing wisdom and celebrating community.
These unique events intend to raise awareness of Indigenous perspectives on the environment, waste, and how it impacts our earth and people.
This series is part of CWMA’s own efforts toward reconciliation with an invitation to our members to be part of our journey to build knowledge and community.
Session 1 – Elder
Elder Garry Oker, MA is a Dane-zaa Designer from Doig River First Nation in northeastern British Columbia. Garry occupies a rare and vital space: where Indigenous wisdom meets project design challenges. For more than twenty-five years, he has worked at the intersection of Indigenous, government and industry development. Garry’s leadership provides creative solutions to project sustainability. His practice is rooted in a fundamental belief: that how we design our world reflects how we understand our relationship to it—drawing from Dane-zaa teachings of balance, reciprocity, and respect. Garry offers a lens through which complex challenges become navigable and possible. Today, Garry is leading executives, engineers, planners, exhibit designers and 12 First Nations communities on one of Canada’s most significant cultural infrastructure projects: the BC Hydro Site C Cultural Center, scheduled to open in Fall 2027. This landmark project embodies his life’s work — weaving Indigenous stories into interactive exhibits so that what is built does not merely stand, but belongs.
Meet our Interviewer
wəqʷaqʷələq | Cyril Morris, ICLD: Born into the x̌əx̌ə teŋəxʷ (sacred lands) of Leǩʷəŋən Territory — the homelands of the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation on what many now know as Victoria, B.C. — I spent my earliest years rooted in the snepənəq (teachings) of my grandmothers, my mother, and the stories of our people. My name, wəqʷaqʷələq, carries the weight (eyʔ steɫŋəxʷ – good medicine) of my lineage as my mother was born and raised on our lands, known as tl’čəs (the original Songhees Islands) and reminds me every day of my cultural responsibility to walk in balance.
– COST–
$23.00 +GST
CWMA’s work is supported entirely by events, sponsorships, and membership. We’re grateful you’re here. Reduced pricing is available for students and non-profit organizations — reach out to learn more. Am I a member?
These sessions will not be recorded. | No refunds, but registrations may be transferred to another attendee.
Group Rates
Attending as a team is a great way to support your organization’s reconciliation journey. Groups of three or more are eligible for a discount — email Sheila for the code.
– AGENDA –
1:00 PM
Welcome Everyone / Introductions
Interview, Listening, Learning
Questions (if time) and as preferred
1:58 PM
Farewell
– VIRTUAL NOTES –
CWMA uses the Zoom Platform for events. Zoom Link is sent the DAY BEFORE the event.