Sandlanee Gid
Raven Ann Potschka

Sandlanee Gid Raven Ann is from the Gawa Git’ans, Massett Inlet Eagle clan; named by her late Tsiini Steven Brown and granddaughter of Elizabeth Abrahams and Wilfred Brown. Her biological parents were Ricki Brown and Michelle Mortimer. She was given up for adoption in 1982 and raised with an English and German family. Sandlanee Gid reconnected with her Haida family in Prince Rupert in 1998 and first returned back to Haida Gwaii in 2001. Sandlanee Gid is a proud momma of 7 year old twins Phoenix-Jack and Tyler-Simone. Andre Johnstone is their dad who was adopted into her Naani’s Clan, the Yahgu’lanaas Ravens. Sandlanee Gid trained in Outdoor Leadership since 1994 and claims that Outdoor Education, Experiential education, theatre arts, travelling and reconnecting to her Haida roots and Indigenous ways of knowing and being is what helped her survive childhood, and intergenerational trauma. She worked and volunteered at many youth camps and taught rock climbing with Outward bound, worked with Indigenous youth, women & children at transition houses, and cultural harm-reduction programs in East Vancouver. She worked for Canada World Youth Internationally and brought the Indonesian trilateral exchange to Haida Gwaii and was the the Rediscovery T’aalan Stl’ang Director for 15 years. Sandlanee Gid owes a debt of gratitude to the Elders, Aunties, Gogi’s, children and knowledge keepers who have taught her about Yahguudang and what it means to be a Haida woman. Sandlanee Gid has been invited to learn and participate in Land-based healing and cultural exchanges with knowledge keepers in Guatemala, Fiji, California, Peru, Calgary, Panama, Toronto, Montreal and the Tsilhqot'in medicine camp. Sandlanee Gid has been involved in Arts and Theater since 1994 and participated in Sinxii’Gangu; a Haida play by Jaalan Edenshaw, and Beyond Eden Rock musical at Theatre Calgary and Vancouver Playhouse. Sandlanee Gid can be seen MCing, hosting, singing, creating, performing and organizing different community events. She is part of the Tluu Xaad Naay Dance group, sits on the Indigenous Advisory House on Homelessness for BC, and is a volunteer for the Masset Marine Search & Rescue. She is a founder of Masset Rollergirls, Xuux Auntie, DRIP Collective and a new member of the North End Arts Collective. Sandlanee Gid earned a Warriors Against Violence Counselling Cert at the Native Education College, SAFEteen Facilitation Training Cert, Adventure-based Training Cert at the Justice Institute, Sports Admin and Leadership Diploma at Douglas College, Westcoast Outdoor Leadership Cert. at Hooksum Outdoor School, Coastal Guardian Watchmen Cert at NWCC, Haida Gwaii Field Studies at Langara College, Wellness Counselor and Life-Coaching Diploma at Rhodes Wellness College, Haida Owned and Operated Cert, Indigenous Ways of Knowing Facilitation Training Cert, Indigenous Focussing-Oriented Therapy & Complex Trauma Cert, SVOP, Sea kayaking level 1&2, Mental Health First Aid Cert, Wilderness First Aid and more. She is very excited to work closely with families from Old Massett and offer Land-based Healing opportunities year round.