Kyle Shaughnessy

Masi! Edanet’e! On my mother’s side I’m Tłı̨chǫ Dene, Ukrainian, and French. Our family names are Camsell, Lafferty, and Koyczan, we’re originally from Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories. On my father’s side I’m Irish. I was born in Yellowknife, NWT and raised in Nunavut and rural BC. I’ve now lived on unceded Coast Salish lands for most of my life, but my connection to the north is integral to my work and identity. I’m also queer, trans, and Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer (2SIQ). My roots and sense of belonging in liberatory queer spaces runs deep and shapes how I relate and carry myself in the world.

I am a registered social worker (BSW, MSW) and have primarily worked within 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities throughout my career as a community developer, organizer, advocate, clinical educator, curriculum designer, and consultant. I’ve been teaching and publishing on topics related to decolonizing gender and sexual diversity since 2016. I’m currently completing a PhD in the Interdisciplinary Studies program at UBC, focusing on radical intersections between Dene land-based knowledge and queer ethics of community care.

My role as Indigenous Educational Consultant: Staff Training on the Indigenous Initiatives team is held jointly with Central HR and focuses on developing tools and strategies for both non-Indigenous and Indigenous staff professional development, including individuals, teams, and managers/leaders. My approach prioritizes good relational practice and meeting people where they’re at in the learning process. In addition to staff training, I’m happy to consult on topics relating to land-based education, and 2SIQ studies. Mahsi cho!