Tonya Smith

Dr. Tonya Smith’s research seeks to untangle and analyze the many ways that settler-colonial land management continues to constrain Indigenous Peoples’ livelihoods and relationships with the land, with the intention of supporting the restoration of land-based health practices led by Indigenous Peoples. Tonya created the Botanical Resources Strategy with Líl̓wat Nation in 2017, which is a unique plan featuring Líl̓wat cultural plant uses and recommendations to minimize harm from forestry practices on Líl̓wat food and medicinal plants. Tonya is currently supporting research on the Li̓l̓wat Cultural Re-Connection Classroom, which is envisioned to be a place where Li̓l̓wat people can come together to engage in topics related to cultural revitalization and land stewardship and take part in traditional medicine harvest and processing and other culturally based activities that promote health and wellness. Tonya has also been working with Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures to start long-term monitoring on the impacts of cultural burning on traditional foods and medicines.