Meet the Founders
Driven by curiosity and built on purpose, this is where bold thinking meets thoughtful execution. Let’s create something meaningful together.
Casey Cawston
FounderFrom early childhood, my parents, Richard Cawston and Nancy Marsel, taught me to live in relationship with the land—from gathering berries to harvesting food directly from nature. I spent my early years following them through the mountains. My father was a guide, packer, cowboy, and a deep source of knowledge about the land and all that lives upon it. My mother had an intuitive understanding of animal movement and was a gifted horsewoman.
From a very young age, I rode the mountains alongside them, learning the ways of nature and the importance of balance with all living things. I was taught to respect everything, to take only what was needed to survive, and to give care in return. These early teachings are the foundation of the work I do today. My childhood shaped my belief system and instilled a deep responsibility for how we live on this earth and how we respect all those with whom we share it.
More than forty years working in the industrial world—including mining, logging, construction, and ranching—has further deepened this understanding. These experiences have been powerful teachers, revealing how interconnected all things truly are. Drawing on Western science, my Native ancestry, a lifetime of hard work, and knowledge shared by Elders and respected professionals, I bring a unique, integrated perspective. This work is ultimately about relationships—relationships with people, the land, and all living things.
Robin Irwin
FounderI was raised in a small East Kootenay community by hardworking, blue-collar parents, growing up on our family’s rural farm. Much of my childhood was spent in the mountains—hunting, fishing, gathering firewood, riding horses and caring for animals—which fostered a lasting respect for the land. At eight years old, I wrote to the Premier to protest old-growth clearcutting in Clayoquot Sound, while also witnessing the effects of resource extraction in my own expansive backyard.
My career has been varied, spanning film production, the arts, and cultural and historical initiatives. I’ve designed and installed public art, taught art classes, led cultural events, developed historical spaces, and built archival programs to preserve records for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. For the past decade, I’ve worked closely with Similkameen communities and governments, advocating for the rights and voices of First Peoples. Since 2015, I’ve held roles supporting governance within Chief and Council, Consultation Referrals and Directing Lands and Natural Resource Teams, gaining a strong understanding of Indigenous priorities and rights in British Columbia, as well as the complexities of the duty to consult, provincial decision-making and project approvals.
Over nearly 20 years living and working in the Similkameen Valley, I’ve built strong regional relationships and developed a deep understanding of resource extraction permitting processes, major projects and their impacts. This experience has grown into a specialized area of expertise, shaped by collaboration with Indigenous knowledge keepers and technical experts navigating complex development landscapes.
I bring demonstrated strengths in funding and proposal development, capacity building, and team leadership, supported by a broad and adaptable skill set and a particular strength in relationship-building.
I am committed to fostering respectful, long-term partnerships with Nations, ensuring Indigenous leadership is central in project review processes and that responsible practices are upheld within their Traditional Territories.
In the nqilxʷcn n̓syilxcn̓ language of the Syilx people, ƛ̓ílmist means Be Still.
Learn more about how this principle guides everything we do.
Let’s Work Together
