2019 Community Stewardship Award - Recipients

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Sustaining the Islands – Community Stewardship Awards Program 
 
 
 
2019 Nominee Profile 
 
C'tasi:a -Elder Geraldine Manson, Gabriola Island Local Trust Area 
 
Category:  Individual  
 
Project:       Celebrating nineteen years of knowledge holding and sharing 
 
Nominator(s):      April Vannini  and Gloria Filax  
 
Project Description
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Snuneymuxw Elder Geraldine Manson (C'tasi:a) is nominated for her continued work over the 
past nineteen years working as a volunteer with the Gabriola Historical and Museum Society 
(GHMS). Geraldine is well-versed in the land of Gabriola as she holds the knowledge passed 
down from her ancestors and oral history that gave her understanding about Snuneymuxw and 
Coast Salish territory.  
 
Since 2000, Elder Manson began working with the GHMS as a knowledge holder and spiritual 
guide on the Museum’s Truth and Reconciliation initiatives, collaborating with GHMS on exhibit 
displays, and provides tours on the site and teaches about the importance of petroglyphs. She 
has also dedicated her time to being a liaison of understanding for Gabriola residents to 
understand the importance and sacred significance of ancestors and sites within the Gabriola 
Island Trust Area.  
 
Elder Manson’s relationship with all organizations, committees and groups throughout Gabriola 
is grounded in the wisdom shared with her through traditional teachings and protocol.  These 
teachings support ways of learning together in a mutual respectful and collaborative process. 
Elder Manson has also been working with many community groups to share knowledge on how 
to work collaboratively with Snuneymuxw, and how to respect, acknowledge and honour the 
unceded territory on which we live today. Some other organizations she has also worked with 
are the Gabriola Arts Council, Truth and Reconciliation Speaker Series, and Vancouver Island 
University. She also provides opening blessings and welcome at Gabriola events, which connect 
residents of Gabriola to Snuneymuxw land and waters.  
  
                                                 
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 Information based nominee’s submission to 2019 Islands Trust Community Stewardship Award program.   

Sustaining the Islands – Community Stewardship Awards Program 
 
 
 
2019 Nominee Profile 
 
Mark Bottomley (the Styrophobe), Lasqueti Island Local Trust Area 
 
Category: Individual  
 
Project: Reducing Marine Pollution in the Salish Sea 
 
Nominator(s):    Lasqueti Island Stewardship Award Committee  
 
Project Description:  
 
Mark Bottomley (the Styrophobe), was nominated for his work to reduce marine pollution in the 
Salish Sea, a project he launched in August 2018. Since this time, Mark has donated his time and 
resources to collect Styrofoam and plastics from over 50 kilometers of shoreline on Lasqueti 
Islands and surrounding islands several days a week. Bottomley purpose built a boat to collect 
and transport plastic debris, and he is currently working on a machine that will shred plastic 

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