Meet our Team!
Founder & Project Manager Denise Miller (age 28) from the Cayuga Nation & Wolf Clan, is from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory but currently resides in Brantford, Ontario. She completed the Foundations of Indigenous Learning Diploma program at Trent University and the Organic Farmer Certificate at IAP Career College. Denise is also a member of the Canadian Roots Exchange Advisory Circle & EFAO Board. Her passions in restoring community, food systems, and land have evolved over the course of the project. She hopes that the project will share and build conversations surrounding food, environment restoration, and climate change awareness. 
Program Assistant Hattie Edwards is a wolf clan member of the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne, and a graduate of the Indigenous Environmental Science/Studies Program at Trent University. The Indigenous Environmental and Sciences Studies program deepened her knowledge and skills in Indigenous food systems, agriculture and ecological design. In addition, Hattie has worked within her community alongside many elders learning bio-dynamic farming and traditional medicine. She currently volunteers with Onkwe, a not-for-profit agricultural youth group within her community of Akwesasne. In her career, Hattie has worked in the not-for-profit sector; working primarily with Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Hattie's experience in project management and a Haudenesosaunee knowledge keeper has been with the Nogojiwanong Youth Solidarity Initiative, Green Communities Canada and the Sacred Water Circle as the Youth for Water Program coordinator. As the Youth for Water program coordinator, Hattie was able to work in and advance her career in water sustainability, water policy and within Indigenous communities. For Hattie, life is a gift and every day is an opportunity to create positive relationships that will promote change. 
Graphic Design Jay Bird (they/them) is a trans-non binary white settler (Irish and British) currently living on Saugeen territory in so-called Grey-Bruce County. They grew up in Newfoundland where they fell in love with gardening, hunting, fishing, and many other land based skills. Currently, Jay does freelance and contract Graphic Design work as well as farm work during the spring, summer and fall months. Jay is passionate about farming, growing medicinal herbs and using design to contribute to movement organizing. Design Account: https://www.instagram.com/hibirddesigns/ Website: https://www.hibirddesigns.com/ 
Podcast Host & Developer Daniela Solomon is a white settler of Eastern European Jewish descent. She currently resides in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka. Daniela is in her 2nd year of her PhD in Kinesiology at McGill University, where she does research in collaboration with the Iroquois Nationals. As well, she is in her last semester at X-University, completing a certificate program in Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences. Daniela is a member of the Grand River Attack box lacrosse team and has had the privilege of learning many things from her teammates, including concepts around nutrition and food sovereignty. This knowledge, in combination with her volunteering with ROSP's community garden, has allowed her to reconceptualize and critically examine two areas of focus in her undergraduate and master's degree:Western nutrition and pharmacology. Daniela is passionate about lacrosse, staying active, and unlearning and re-learning life. |
Seed Keeper Erin Hayward (Hill) Erin is Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) & German on her paternal side and mixed European (Irish & British) on her maternal side, born and raised in Scarborough Ontario. Her paternal family is traditionally from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory; displaced by the child welfare system. Erin has been a participant and advisor to food systems projects including the Community Flint Corn Project and the Food Matters Action Toolkit created by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Erin is passionate about science, Kanyen’keha (The Mohawk Language), hunting, fishing, and tending to Haudenosaunee seed and community relationships. 
Youth Outreach Coordinator Jessa Laight is from the Mohawk Nation of Six Nations of the Grand River. She is a mother of three funny and caring children. She is a language learner, craftsperson, seamstress, and teacher. Jessa attended Indigenous Studies at Trent University where she also completed her Bachelors of Education. Jessa is also a recent graduate from the University of Western Ontario in the Masters of Professional Education program where she focused on engaging Haudenosaunee youth in cultural learning opportunities. 
Landscape Development & Green Energy Meaghan Oosterhoff is a member of Sagkeeng First Nation in Fort Alexander Manitoba but currently lives in Brant County on a small hobby farm. Her education background in health sciences and renewable energy technology is a great asset to the ROSP team. Meaghan also volunteers her time and is a member of the Equal Grounds Community Gardens, which aims to empower local residents to grow their own food while supplying local food banks with fresh produce. She also is a mentee of Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance which is dedicated to restoring the food systems that support Indigenous self-determination, wellness, cultures, values, communities, economies, languages and families while rebuilding relationships with the land, water, plants, and animals that sustain us. 
Indigenous Food Educator Teri (Deyowidron't) Morrow, Wolf Clan from the Cayuga Nation. Teri is a registered dietitian working in her home community of Six Nations of the Grand River and is the chair of the Aboriginal Nutrition Network of Dietitians of Canada. One of less than 30 Indigenous Dietitians across Canada. Teri has been involved in health and social research development since 2010 with Western University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and University of Ottawa. She specialises in Haudenosaunee foods and water protection. 
Native Plants & Supporting Ecosystems Stefan Weber is a botanist who specializes in seed conservation and ecosystem restoration, working with the Carolinian Canada Coalition and the Ontario Plant Restoration Alliance. Stefan earned an MSc in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Guelph, and a PhD in Restoration Ecology at McMaster University. He has previously worked with the Toronto Botanical Garden, and the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario and the St Williams Nursery, helping propagate over 300 species of native plants from seed. Stefan has helped ROSP by facilitating workshops for our youth, plant knowledge & identification, invasive specie removal at our gardens, and is supporting the on-going efforts for a supportive agriculture system with non-invasive plants. Stefan has been a huge help with the development/future of ROSP and is part of our food family! Nya:weh Stefan for continuing the journey with us! |
Revitalizing our Sustenance Project
Located in Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
revitalizingoursustenance@gmail.com
Located in Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
revitalizingoursustenance@gmail.com