SIOBHAN TAKALA

SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER
Saskatoon, SK

As the Senior Programs Manager Siobhan directs the implementation of YCL programs, including managing program staff, supporting program design, and managing internal processes that ensure YCL programs have their intended impacts.

Siobhan is a program designer, facilitator, and climate justice advocate from Treaty 6 Territory. Siobhan grew up engaging in social justice movements, and education on the climate crisis while completing her B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Sustainability led to a sustained passion for climate justice. She was Co-Founder and Co-Director of Let’s Sprout, a youth-led initiative dedicated to youth creativity, authentic leadership and environmental education, and has been named a Top 25 Environmentalist by The Starfish Canada. Siobhan is a life-long creative who loves to dance, sew, and sing. Find her in nature, exploring a new place, or with her near and dear.

Currently living on Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatoon, SK which encompasses the lands of Cree, Dakota, Nakota, Saulteaux peoples, and the Homeland of the Metis Nation. Saskatoon is based on the Cree word,  ᒥᓵᐢᑲᐧᑑᒥᐣ or misâskwatômin, which means saskatoon berry -- an important plant here.

As a white settler who grew up on this land, I am deeply grateful to the Indigenous peoples who have been living here, in relationship with one another, the land and waters, long before the arrival of settlers.

One of my favourite plants on the prairies is the prairie crocus, which blooms in early spring and is fuzzy. In Cree, it is called mostos otisiy, meaning 'buffalo’s belly button'. It is said that a baby buffalo was born where one blooms. Buffalo are inextricably linked to Indigenous cultures, ecosystems and climate resilience on the prairies. To learn more about the importance of the Buffalo, I highly recommend the film “Singing Back the Buffalo”