Team Members Archive - Cowichan Green Community

Mike Smith

Board President

Mike has lived in the Cowichan Valley all his life. Growing up on the same family farm since 1891 his roots run deep both in the valley and his passion for Food Sustainability. Mike spends his free time with his 2 kids and wife on the farm as much as possible or visiting the many beautiful locations the valley has to offer. For work he is a Commercial lender helping Entrepreneurs realize their business dreams.

Director | CGC

Lucy Thomas is my borrowed name, “Tsumkwaat” is my Hul’qumi’num’ name. Born and raised in the Cowichan Valley, a Residential school Survivor, Employed at House of Friendship since 1982. Involved in making changes in our community, street name change, Reconciliation murals, North American Indigenous Games “cultural component” i was one of many of us at the table. Since then I get invited to other businesses and organizations to share our history of Cowichan and Residential school.

I love being on the Board for Cowichan Green Community, they are so grounded in their work, making a difference in our community. Married to Richard for over 40 years, two grown children, 9grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Eduardo Sousa

Director

Eduardo Sousa is an Advisor with the Indigenous Leadership Initiative which fosters Indigenous nationhood as a way to conserve and manage Indigenous lands. He runs a consultancy, Caminho Do Meio, providing strategic planning and communications, and project management support for Indigenous communities. Eduardo also worked for Greenpeace for over a decade as senior Forests Campaigner, successfully implementing the world-renowned and award-winning Great Bear Rainforest Agreements with…

First Nations, the BC Government, and the logging industry. Prior to arriving on the west coast, Eduardo worked many years as Ontario-Quebec Organizer for the Council of Canadians on public policy issues related to healthcare, water, trade and Canada-US relations. Eduardo was also an environmental planner and special projects coordinator for Toronto Parks, working with communities on environmental stewardship and community gardens. He has a Master’s in Environmental Studies from Toronto’s York University, with a focus on watershed planning and community mobilization, and an Honours BA in Social-Cultural Anthropology / Environmental Studies, from Victoria University/University of Toronto. Eduardo has various articles published in books and magazines and online, regarding watershed stewardship and planning, water issues, and environmental history.

Penny Lehan

Director

Penny grew up in Sidney and lived in Vancouver for 30 years before gleefully returning to the Island in 2012. She and her husband were drawn to the Cowichan Valley by their interest in local, sustainable food production. Penny loves being connected to her community and volunteers for several local non-profits. Penny enjoys rowing and kayaking in Maple Bay, hiking on local mountains and faithfully attending the Duncan Farmers’ Market for her Saturday social. She also has a law practice in Duncan.

Director

Danielle is a biologist, who worked for Parks Canada from Nova Scotia, Jasper, Banff and Pacific Rim National Parks. She focused on restoration, species at risk, seabirds and wildlife. Today she runs Fruit Forest Farm in Cobble Hill, growing heritage apples, cherries, figs and berries, as well as consulting. Through the farm, she got in involved with the Cow-op at the inception, and is an avid supporter of the Cow-op and CGC’s food security programs and great staff.

Director

Joy Emmanuel has been a resident on these unceded territories of the Coast Salish people since 2008. She has worked with both Social Planning Cowichan and Cowichan Housing Association. She currently works as a consultant helping people start co-operatives. She has worked with Non-profits and small businesses. She lives in Glenora on a small farm and is experimenting with growing trees, herbs and perennial food crops. In the summer of 2023, she volunteered as a Koksilah River stream team monitor

Board

Here are the people who make the Cowinchan Green Community possible..

Mike Smith

Board President

Lucy Thomas

Director | CGC

Eduardo Sousa

Director

Penny Lehan

Director

Danielle Bellefleur

Director

Joy Emmanuel

Director

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