Magena is Métis (northern Alberta) and grew up mainly in Victoria on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples where she developed a strong appreciation for nature. In her spare time, Magena is often found exploring Vancouver Island, either hiking, kayaking, and/or camping. Magena has a master’s in Marine Management where she focused her work on MPAs and the intersections with Indigenous knowledge systems and rights. Her graduate research focused on improving MPA governance in a way that respected Indigenous rights, values, and knowledge. Over the past decade, Magena has been involved in marine conservation initiatives at home and abroad. Through these experiences, she has developed experience in conducting community engagement, Indigenous engagement and public education with a wide variety of audiences, including youth in the context of marine conservation. Magena continues to work in the field with First Nations on marine planning and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in British Columbia.
