Maria Shallard is of mixed Penelakut First Nation and Dutch-German, English, Irish and First Nations ancestry and grew up as a guest on Líl̓wat Territory in Pemberton, British Columbia. She has a range of experience having worked with Indigenous communities and Indigenous youth in post-secondary and government sectors and non-profit organizations for the past six years. She holds a Masters degree in Geography from the University of Guelph with a focus on ocean governance and Indigenous self-determination, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria with a double major in Environmental Studies and Canadian History with a minor in Indigenous studies. Maria believes in ‘nuts’a’ maat shqwaluwun” (working together as one) (with one heart/mind).