Gwen Lane
Indigenous Program Coordinator, DCS, DEC, PDC
Gwen Lane, DCS, DEC, has an Honours Diploma in Community Worker / Social Service from George Brown College, and a Permaculture Design Certificate from Verge Permaculture. She plays a key role in the creation and delivery of community and Indigenous engagement plans that are culturally appropriate (including First Nations consultation). Gwen is from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and a Sixties Scoop survivor. She’s spent the last 12 years continuously embracing learning her ceremonies, culture, and walking in a good way of Life. For the past two years Gwen has led “Earth Tending”, SpruceLab’s six week Indigenous green infrastructure paid training program (where she also mentors support staff). Projects include Saugeen First Nation Training Centre, Wilson District Plan (Downsview Airport Lands), Burlington Civic Square and Brant St. Renewal, City of Kitchener Official Plan, Dawes Rd. Indigenous Streetscape Initiative, and North York at the Centre Secondary Plan.
Gwen is interested in environmental justice, and her knowledge and experience with food and cooking has also led her to an interest in food security and justice. She is also a passionate cook, artist, and healer, with training in mental health support. Throughout her life, Gwen has travelled approximately a quarter of the world, and made it her priority to learn from the different communities she has been invited into. She aims to visit and work directly with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples to create collaborative solutions together, particularly permaculture solutions.
Select Projects:
Ted Rogers School of Management Indigenous Healing Garden (Toronto Metropolitan University), George Brown College Masterplan, and the Earth Tending program (paid green infrastructure training).
Services:
Project Advising and Coordination, Indigenous Design and Engagement, Training
Education:
George Brown College, Honours Diploma in Community Worker/Social Service
Qualifications:
Earth Tending: Green Infrastructure Training Program (SpruceLab Inc.)
Permaculture Design course (Verge Permaculture)