About Marcia

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Marcia Turner, Owner

Marcia is a sole proprietor, working with a diverse range of public agencies, non-profit organizations, governments and post-secondary institutions in BC, Canada and Internationally.   Established in 2014, Marcia draws from over twenty years of experience working with Indigenous people and communities as well as with non-Indigenous organizations at the community, provincial, and national levels.  Marcia works to address equity for Indigenous people and Indigenous knowledge systems, and has extensive experience in bridging Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships. Marcia’s philosophy is belief in the strength and resilience of Indigenous people.

Marcia is Gitxsan, from the Lax Gibuu (Wolf clan) and Wilps Haisimsque (house of Chief Haisimsque), her ancestral name is ‘Naa-mehl’ which loosely translated means “to tell” as in “messenger”.  Marcia holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria. She has the political and cultural acumen to navigate and respect the diversity of Indigenous people, histories, cultures, and communities. Marcia works to advance Indigenous people and equalize Indigenous knowledge systems through bridging Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships and through sustainable systems change. Marcia has recently been invited to teach at Royal Roads University and has taught at UBC, University of Victoria and North Island College in governance and leadership courses. Marcia’s work is innovative, strengths-based, action-oriented, and solutions-focused. She is a highly sought-after speaker, trainer, and facilitator. Marcia currently lives in unceded Lekwungen territory with her four grown sons.  

Marcia’s Accomplishments
Marcia has had the honour of leading the following key initiatives to address Indigenous issues and advance Indigenous policy:

June 2020: Indigenous Visions and Reconciliation Action Plan – Pearson College UWC 

March 2020: Modernization of the Emergency Program Act Tri-Partite Meeting with Indigenous leadership, Federal and Provincial governments

2019 – 2020: EMBC Modernization of EPA Indigenous Community Engagement Sessions

March 2020: Modernization of the Royal BC Museum – Strategic Indigenous Engagement Plan

Fall 2019: Modernization of the Royal BC Museum Indigenous Community Engagement 

Sept 2019: Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: Facilitated discussion regarding UNDRIP and the BC Government’s 10 Principles to Guide the Relationship with Indigenous People in BC    

June 2019:  Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: Facilitate two-day strategic planning and dialogue between Minister and Ministers Advisory Council on Indigenous Women (MACIW)

Spring 2018: Developed Curricula for the Certificate of Aboriginal Leadership, North Island College

Fall 2017: Conducted a Review of the BC Government’s response to the 2017 Wildfires and impact on Indigenous communities

Jan 2016: Organized the Provincial Gathering for the Families of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, on behalf of Indigenous Leaders, MACIW, and BC Government

May 2015: Developed the Diploma in Indigenous Community Development and Governance for the University of Victoria

May 2013: Developed the BC Government’s Provincial Aboriginal Strategy for Domestic Violence