Guides

Zoë Chaytors

I live on Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton, Alberta where I grew up. I'm a queer, mixed raced, cat-loving, quilting, nature nerd. I love to work with other people in helping capacities and seek out solitude in nature as often as I can.

In my spare time, I enjoy curling up on the couch with a good book and my two cats, Benny and Joon. I can often be found exploring Mill Creek Ravine on foot, or you'll find I'm off in the mountains, going for long walks in solitude.

In 2023, I did a 12 day solo on an island and only took one photo of myself, here it is:

Related credentials:

  • BSW, RSW - Registered Social Worker

  • B. Arts - Gender Studies major, Theology minor

  • Expressive Art Therapy Diploma, EXaT

  • Outdoor Council of Canada GO Compass

  • Outdoor Council of Canada GO Maps

  • Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader Hiking

  • Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader Overnight

  • Outward Bound Canada Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals Essentials: Hiking Journey Leadership Certification

  • Outward Bound Canada Training Academy for Outdoor Professionals Essentials: Training Modules including Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Outdoors; Introduction to Coaching Skills; Indigenous Land Perspectives; Trauma Informed Outdoor Leadership; Crisis Intervention Scenarios; Introductions to Environmental Leadership; Transformational Outdoor Leadership

  • Wilderness Mental Health First Aid

  • Wilderness First Responder (highest level of wilderness first aid)

Alison Brooks-Starks

Hey all y’all! I'm an ecotherapy informed educator in Edmonton, Alberta. With a background in both improv and spiritual care, we are bound to have a fun, wild, and meaningful time.

My outdoor highlights include

  • playing with fire from a young age

  • leading at summer camps for over 17 years and starting two trans camps

  • paddling 28 days alone from Edmonton, AB, to Prince Albert, SK – it only snowed once!

Some intersections of my identity… I am a white, 3rd gen Ukrainian+ settler. I have always lived on Treaty 6 territory along the North Saskatchewan River – I’m originally from Duck Lake and Prince Albert, SK, and now live in ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton), AB. I am currently non-disabled and have thin privilege. I am secretly exploring gender and I am queer. For those wanting the deep dive, I am a scorpio, an INFJ and an enneagram 7. My partner Alexis and I have a wee one, 3 years old.

I have particular experience working with kids, youth, young adults, people who are 2SLGBTQIA+ and in areas of grief and spiritual allyship.

Please enjoy this video of my top-notch guiding skills:

Sauve

Related credentials:

  • B. Education - Biology major, English minor

  • Certificate of Ecopsychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute

  • Certificate of Spiritual Care

  • National Lifeguard

  • Remote Responder (wilderness first aid)

Practicum Students

For the 2023-2024 season, we are so fortunate to have 3 practicum students joining us.

You’ll see them at events shadowing guides and taking on leadership roles.

Meghann Yellowknee

Hello, My name is Meghann Yellowknee, (she/her). I am a student at Concordia University of Edmonton. I have been graciously placed at Emberwood as a part of my Applied Emphasis degree in Psychology. I have a background in peer support and student wellness on campus. I'm happy to be a part of this amazing team and I look forward to being in the great outdoors with all of you. 

Rachel Sawchuk 

Hey! I’m Rachel (she/her) a 3rd year Psychology student at the University of Concordia. I’m doing my placement for the Applied Emphasis program here at Emberwood for the next 8 months! I look forward to the learning and the experience I will gain from this coming year. In my spare time I love going for walks in the river valley, playing guitar, spending time with friends and taking care of my many houseplants. The wilderness must be explored! So let’s get out there!

Borg Hamborg

What up!! I’m Borg, I’m a first year social work diploma student at MacEwan University. I grew up in Edson and the outdoors. I love fishing, planes, James Cameron’s Avatar and music. I am extremely grateful to be working with Emberwood for my field placement, as I’m able to enjoy the outdoors while living in the big city, and I’m looking forward to enjoying it with all of you!!

Administrative Team

Sam

Hello! I'm Sam (xe/they). I am so excited to be joining Emberwood as the All-Around-Task-Handler & Fungi Fan!

I'm here in Treaty 6 with a complex relationship with land and self, as a mixed-ethnicity Arab and white person, an agender human, and a somatic plant medicine practitioner and deep griever. I believe in the immense healing power of connection to the land and our embodied experiences, and I am here to help you discover what the best Emberwood program or pop-up is for you and help make it happen.

You may see me in your inboxes, along the fringes of events, on a solo without any connection, on the other side of the world, or curled up on the couch with my cat, Goose. 

Shannon Brown

Hello! I’m Shann (they/she), Emberwood’s Digital Content Coordinator.

You’ll find me toodling around, capturing moments, and (my favourite) writing lots of fun words to express Emberwood’s beautiful community events! I’ll be beginning my PhD in English in the fall. I specialize in how stories written in so-called Canada by queer and marginalized communities unmake the nation and queer its potentiality.

When I’m not thinking theory and reading queer lit, I love getting out in the community. I’m all over Edmonton’s festival scene as a volunteer and general enjoyer of tunes. Currently, I also manage a zero-waste refillery shop called Re:Plenish on 99th Street. If you see me around, please say hello if you like!