We are pumped to welcome our newest Community Outreach Coordinator Hana Val to our team! She’s always available to provide fuzzy socks and great travel stories whenever we need them. In the short time she’s been here, she’s made us crack up many times and we couldn’t be happier to have her join the team. Yay, Hana!
Hey I’m Hana Val, BYTE’s new Community Outreach Coordinator. I was born in Prince Rupert where I was adopted and brought up to the Northwest Territories where I lived for 6 years, mostly in Yellowknife, before moving to Whitehorse in the year 2000.
I belong to the Raven moiety from the Haida Nation. Just last summer I visited Haida Gwaii to reconnect to my culture. For a month I stayed with family members, participated in the local dance group, and really got to experience life on the island. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I can’t wait to go back.
Before BYTE I worked in Peterborough, Ontario for a French daycare after deciding to take a break from my studies at Trent University to focus on work. I had been studying International Development and Indigenous Studies. I also had the pleasure of being a STEP student for the Yukon Literacy Coalition in the summers between school years.
In my spare time, I love hanging out with friends, reading about amazing worlds and adventures from the comfort of my couch, and looking up easy tasty recipes to cook cool food.
I am well on my way to accomplishing a New Year’s Resolution, which is a first. Hint: make a super easy goal about something you love to do and success is easy!
I would definitely have dinner with Gordon Ramsey, no question.
To recharge I love singing at the top of my voice to Adele or Ed Sheeran on the way home from work.
Number one thing on my bucket list? Traveling. Anywhere and everywhere.
I am passionate about empowering youth because they are our future, and there is so much potential in all of them. Their voices should be loud and proud, and I believe they can create real change if only they have the tools to do so.
You can get in touch with Hana at hana@nullyukonyouth.com.