Ooh-mah Ah-nise

Rainbow Eyes is a member of the Da'naxda'xw/Awaetlala First Nation with traditional territory of Knight Inlet on her mother side. Her Father's roots are Scottish & British.

Hearing the call of the forest and following instructions from Elders of the territories, ancestors and spirit, Rainbow Eyez has been a key defender of ancient forests on Vancouver Island, including the old growth forests of ‘Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek), since 2020.

Rainbow Eyes is a Ha-ma-yas Stewardship Network Guardian. A graduate of Vancouver Island University (VIU) First Nations Stewardship Technical Training program, Rainbow Eyes has worked for four years as a guardian in her traditional territory of Knight Inlet where she worked on a team protecting and reconecting to the land, collecting data on the lands, waters, wildlife and cultural values for future generations. 

Rainbow Eyes has assisted in training future guardians as a student support coordinator with the Nanwakolas Council Society and as a member of a research team to decolonize and help the VIU’s Stewardship Technician training program to become more grounded in indigenous cultural values.

A cancer survivor, Rainbow Eyes has passionately volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society and Wellspring Calgary helping other cancer patients before and after treatment with peer support.

She has significant experience with the Canadian legal system as she defends Indigenous values in her advocacy work. She is pictured with the drum which was illegally seized and confiscated for three months after she was charged with mischief for using a ceremonial item on the front lines. 

Rainbow Eyes is recognized as a critical voice in slowing resource depletion and addressing the climate crisis. She takes on the role of Deputy Leader for the Green Party of Canada, but prefers the more culturally respectful title is Ooh-mah Ah-nise (high ranking woman, Aunty in Kwakʼwala).

With roots in Secwepmec First Nations, Shawna is a committed , resourceful and full hearted activist with a deep connection to the land- from the surf to the mountaintops. Shawna’s focus is on the protection of the ancestor trees, the water and the ecosystems they support. Through education at Native Education College in the Indigenous Land Stewardship program and her work with, and education of, activists on the ground, she gives insights to a deeper understanding of what it means to practice responsibility, reciprocity and respectful relationships with the forests and water. Shawna is a natural leader and speaker who knows that great strength comes through unity and action.

Grandma Losah is original from Tla'amin Nation. Her family has reside here in Victoria for the past 34 years, eight months in Saanich and thirty-two years between North Park, Quadra village, Cook Street Village and Fernwood. She has spent her time here attending school and helping build a better community by contributing to and participating at round table discussions and gelling involved with multiple boards of directors for public community service agencies like Together Against Poverty, The Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition and the Capital Region Race Relations