News

SGS Appreciation to Darwyn John

St’át’imc Government Services (SGS) wants to express our appreciation to Darwyn John, one of our most respected employees, who is retiring today, April 30, 2024.

Darwyn has worked at SGS as a Wildlife & Lands Technician since starting in 2012. Darwyn has been an integral part of not only our environment team but has been a significant individual for all St’át’imc Nation. He is a trailblazer and front-runner for upholding St’át’imc Title & Rights. He is respected in his Spiritual work by providing spiritual support to families when a loved one has passed on. Darwyn is a man who continually learns/teaches more about St’át’imc knowledge and history and is always ready to pass on the knowledge to others.

If you do not know Darwyn, there is one thing that people who know him say, “You name it, he’s done it.” Darwyn has gotten his Class 1, worked with Highways, driven a school bus, and so much more. Here are only a few of some his major accomplishments from his career and life that we highlighted, and they include:

  • Served as Kúkwpi7 (Chief) of Tsal’alh
  • Trailblazer who helped create the Seton Lake Unit Crew (est. 1989)
  • Upheld St’át’imc Title & Rights by being one of the knowledge keepers who stopped logging from occurring in certain heritage sites (archaeological areas) – “back in the day,” as some say, the logging industry did not believe there was any archaeological significance in specific heritage sites known to St’át’imc. Still, certain individuals (including Darwyn) introduced and proved them as heritage sites and started a domino effect to make them into culturally protected areas. This led to RISC (Resource Information Standard Committee) training and heritage work being introduced into the St’át’imc area.
  • Involved in Heritage, Forestry, and Education work at Lillooet Tribal Council (LTC) and was a part of the first wave of RISC students to complete the training and started to conduct heritage work in the Nation (he was a part of LTC from 1998 to 2012)
  • Completed his Natural Resource Technician and Environmental Sciences through NVIT
  • Worked as a Wildlife & Lands Technician at SGS from 2012-2024
  • Pursuing his Fluency Certificate in the St’át’imc Language (on-going)

Throughout his career, Darwyn has always been a reliable, supportive individual who was willing to go above and beyond to ensure the success of projects and his commitment to St’át’imc Nation is an inspiration to all of us.

As Darwyn embarks on a new chapter in his life, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We know that his talent and skills will continue to benefit all of St’át’imc, and we are proud to have him as part of our organization, and the St’át’imc Nation.

On behalf of all St’át’imc we thank you for your service, contributions, and for being an exceptional member of our team. Congratulations on your retirement!

Here are some words from the SCC Chair, his grand-daughter and a few employees at SGS:

I would like to congratulate Darwyn John on his retirement and the work he has done with St’at’imc Government Services for the last 12 years. Darwyn has been a pillar in working on the vast Environmental work for St’at’imc over the years. His knowledge and experience are an extraordinary benefit for the lands within our territory. He shares and teaches many of the field workers and St’át’imc members. Over the years that shared knowledge will be carried on for the benefit of the land and environment that we are all task to care and protect for future generations. By being part of the vision for St’at’imc and having our people fully involved in the caretaking of our lands goes further then we will ever imagine and is an important part of the success needed for us to continue to survive as St’at’imc.

Justin Kane – Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation & St’át’imc Chiefs Council (SCC) Chair

I have worked with Darwyn for a lifetime it seems. My first job with Darwyn was GPSing trails that were identified by elders and on pre-emptor maps. Certainly some stories to tell there. But how amazing our jobs were, to be on the land and finding where our ancestors lived, hunted, gathered and warred. I can honestly say a lot of my knowledge about our ancestors and our ways of life have come from conversations with Darwyn. I look forward to talking with Darwyn and capturing the knowledge he has carried for generations.

Michelle Edwards – SCC Tmicw Coordinator

He wasn’t just a coworker, he was a mentor

Chester Alec – SGS Heritage Technician

I started working with Darwyn John in June, 2022 at St’at’imc Government Services (SGS). As a young forest technologist and fresh in town, I quickly found out I had lots to learn. But Darwyn took the time to show me. Everything from identifying plants to classifying streams. The best spots for counting deer and watching the Chinook spawn. All the secret lunch spots and best places to tumble rocks down a hillside. The quiet walks by Seton Portage. The sleepy truck rides after a long day in the bush. The mosquitoes. The hot summer days. The dusty backroads. Darwyn has shown me endless patience through it all and has listened tirelessly to all my questions (and trust me, there were many). Darwyn has shown up to rainy field days with a smile on his face and a priceless sense of humor. But most importantly, Darwyn has shown me that Indigenous Knowledge (St’at’imc knowledge), has a defining place at the technologists’ table. As a young person, I hope to carry these values forward not only at work, but in life as well. In short, it has been a privilege to have shared time and space with Darwyn. My only lament is not having had more time with him on the job, but I suppose that’s how the universe highlights those once-in-a-lifetime people. And for myself, Darwyn John is certainly one of them. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your knowledge. Mąsi chok (Denesuline for thank you).

Nicole Morgenstern – SGS Environment Technician

Darwyn is an integral part of the Environment department at SGS. He works tirelessly to pass on his vast knowledge of the territory, the waters, plants, animals,  St’át’imc laws, protocols, language and cultural teachings. His mentorship to me as a biologist has been an incredible gift, and I hope we can all continue his good work and make him proud.

Elhe Black – SGS Biologist & Interim Environment Manager

Darwyn is an amazing mentor, and I could not say enough good things about him. He challenged me, opened my mind, and ensured I participated in the projects as much as I could with the abilities I had with my schooling. If I didn’t understand something or felt lost, he would pull me aside and explain how I could understand it differently. He taught me how to do a site description and challenged me to name as much as I could and how to look for traces of animal habits. He has many contacts and many people in the St’at’imc territory and outside who also cannot express how amazing he is to work with. I hope for the very best, and he deserves a break from the many passionate years he put into the communities.
I’ll see you for dinner soon!

Chanvre Oleman

Here are some photos of Darwyn throughout his years at SGS:

Thank-you Darwyn and Happy Retirement!