Mackenzie, Dana-Lyn

Dana-Lyn Mackenzie (born Wilson) is a member of the Hwlitsum First Nation, based in Canoe Pass, BC and a lawyer. Dana-Lyn is an elected councillor of her Coast Salish nation, serving since 2021. She is the Senior Manager, EDI & Indigeneity and a Lecturer in the Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship at UBC in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship. She is a double alumna of UBC, having obtained her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees here.   

Dana-Lyn is a part of Green College’s Leading Scholars cohort and was a 2026 Irving K Barber’s EDI Scholar in Residence; she created a series of ‘tea & learn’ sessions where she has shared her insights into her experiences within various faculties implementing the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP), Canada’s First university-wide Indigenous Strategic Program. Dana-Lyn continues to offer her full support and dedication to implementing UBC’s ISP, and teaching others how individuals can take meaningful action to support Indigenous self-determination and systemic transformation.  

One of the subjects Dana-Lyn emphasizes in Indigenous Land Stewardship is learning about the importance of and how to create land acknowledgements as an act of reconciliation.  

Leading the impactful UBC Orange Shirt Day Intergenerational March since 2021 has been an honour. Dana-Lyn visualized and created the Weaving Relations course, an educational opportunity meeting goal 2 of UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. Dana-Lyn has been a speaker on numerous panels on Indigenous research, communities and ISP implementation. She currently sits on ISPEAC (Indigenous Strategic Plan Executive Advisory Committee), and advises front line student services advisors on best practices in Indigenous student support. 

Dana-Lyn was recognized for her impactful contributions to the university, recognized in 2016 for the UBC Presidents Staff Award on Advancing Diversity and Inclusion and receiving the 2024 President’s staff Award in Anti Racism and Belonging. 

Dana-Lyn spends her time with her family, and being the mother of two amazing young adults is her proudest achievement, whom she has always taught to be proud of their culture and educated on their Indigeneity.