Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship Info Sessions 2025/2026

Nadi’ Denezā Garry Merkel
Director, Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship

Garry is a Tahltan from the Stikine River area in northwest British Columbia and is a professional forester with diverse expertise. His work spans community development, treaty negotiations, governance, business, and education. He has contributed significantly to Indigenous education, including being at the core of the establishment of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and the Center of Indigenous Land Stewardship. His core mission is to empower others to shape their futures, particularly Indigenous communities through land stewardship based on their traditional ethics. He believes these ethics are key to restoring humanity’s balance with nature and creating sustainable stewardship systems globally.

Carlos Ormond
Director, Indigenous and Intercultural Initiatives

With theoretical backgrounds and field experience in ecology, curriculum development, and community-based work, Carlos has focused his efforts over the last two decades collaborating with Indigenous and local communities, governments, industry, and post-secondary institutions at local, national, and international levels. As the Director of Indigenous and Intercultural Initiatives, he plays a prominent role in UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship and supports Garry Merkel at the Centre for Indigenous Land Stewardship. Carlos is also involved in initiatives aimed at increasing the accessibility of UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship programming to Indigenous, local, and international communities while strengthening relationships with community partners.

Estefanía Milla-Moreno
Program Manager

Estefanía, a Mapuche and Chilean visitor to the Musqueam territory, is a transdisciplinary researcher, educator, and environmental advocate. With a decade of experience in climate adaptation, ecological restoration, and inclusive education, she amplifies Indigenous knowledge, empowers students to challenge conventional paradigms, and collaborates with communities and academia to advance climate justice. Her work centers decolonial approaches to land stewardship, including the Indigenous Land Stewardship program, promoting sustainable practices and amplifying underrepresented voices in environmental science.

Russell Myers Ross
Online Program and Operations Manager

Russell Myers Ross, a member of the Tsilhqot’in Nation from Yunesit’in, holds a Master’s in Indigenous Governance from UVic. Former Chief of Yunesit’in, he has advanced Indigenous rights through leadership in language revitalization, housing, energy, land stewardship, and nation-level agreements like the Nenqay Deni Accord. His projects include the Dasiqox Nexwagwez7an initiative, Teztan Biny protection, a solar farm, and the Indigenous Fire Stewardship Program.