Allow us to introduce you to Natalie Sands. Natalie is a northerner, a raft guide, an accomplished outdoorswoman, an international traveler, and an experienced youth worker…and now she’s BYTE’s new Community Outreach Coordinator!
Natalie grew up in Atlin, BC and has a strong sense of what it means to grow up in a rural northern community. At age twelve, Natalie moved to Whitehorse with her family – a transition similar to what many community youth experience when they move to the ‘big city’ for high school. Her job as Community Outreach Coordinator will allow her to build relationships with other youth growing up in rural communities.
“I’m most excited about the opportunity to travel to more of the Yukon’s communities and play games with the youth there as a member of the BYTE team!†says Natalie.
Natalie has an honours degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria, a ton of outdoor experience, and a knack for working with youth.
Nat was also a speaker at last December’s BYTE ConneX event, where she spoke about her volunteer project with Mosqoy, a Canadian organization that supports indigenous communities in Peru. Natalie spent three months in Peru this spring volunteering with Mosqoy to help open a children’s library in the community of Qenqo near Kusco.
Now Nat’s back in the Yukon working on BYTE’s busy tour schedule. She just got back from a week in Dawson for the Rural Experiential Model (REM) conference, where she and the rest of the BYTE team connected with youth in grades 10-12 from rural communities across the territory.
Nat’s doing a fantastic job so far, and we feel incredibly lucky to have her on board. Welcome to the BYTE team, Nat!
The BYTE team goes to Dawson for REM! From left to right: Angela Code, Whitehorse Outreach Coordinator; Tanyss Knowles; Natalie Sands, Community Outreach Coordinator; Kara Johancsik, Communications Coordinator