Vanessa Cunningham Email & Phone Number

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

In my role, I contribute to creating a multidimensional community hub that promotes equitable and inclusive access to things like ideas, information, experiences, and support. I am specifically responsible for providing guidance navigating the library’s electronic and physical resources, program facilitation, technology mentorship and empowerment, connecting people to local agencies and community groups, listening with compassion, empathy, and non-judgement, and working collaboratively as a team. I am passionate about this work because it provides the opportunity to connect and build relationships with diverse populations, and to be a part of a community that strives to cultivate a sense of belonging for everyone.

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

The Community Engaged Scholarship Institute is part of the University of Guelph that facilitates collaborative research to support community-identified goals. In my role, I disseminated findings from my master’s research by developing multiple communication pieces, including a briefing note, graphic illustration, book chapter, and website materials, which transferred relevant knowledge to the local community – including postsecondary students, program managers, and senior administrators – who are living and/or working in food (in)security spaces.

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

The People’s Archive of Rural Ontario is a digital repository for personal and community stories from across rural Ontario. This project aims to amplify rural voices and highlight the diversity of rural experiences. In my role, I led all stages of story curation on diverse topics related to Indigenous history and culture, music, food, farming, and human-nature relationships. This involved initiating contact with storytellers, facilitating oral history interviews, and producing and publishing multimedia stories.

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

The Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP) is an Indigenous-led, multi-year project that brings both Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners together to advance conservation strategies based on Indigenous knowledge systems. The following points describe the contributions I made in this role:•Supported the execution of virtual webinars by liaising with potential speakers to coordinate webinar logistics, such as topic, agenda, and dates, and providing technical assistance. •Developed various materials for the webinar and dialogue series, including a collaborative webinar planning tool, best practices guide for optimizing social media content and distribution, and different communication templates for engaging with potential webinar speakers and attendees.•Created visual promotional materials using Canva and QuickTime video editing, and posted them on CRP social media channels, website, and distribution lists, which increased access to information on Indigenous-led conservation strategies.

Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

•Generated various types of policy documents, including briefing notes, speaking notes, Branch plans and procedures, and Department messages.

Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

The Fisheries Joint Management Committee is one of five co-management committees established under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (1984). It is responsible for managing fish, fish habitat, and marine mammals in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, which are essential for the health and wellbeing of local Indigenous peoples. The following points describe the contributions I made in this role:•Coordinated annual community engagement workshops in all six Inuit communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.•Engaged with community members to better understand the cultural significance of fish and marine mammals by attending and participating in on-the-land events, which helped me to be more effective in my role to support and advocate for Inuvialuit rights and ways of life. •Built and maintained strong, collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary partners, including co-management boards, Inuvialuit organizations, governments, academic researchers, and Indigenous community members, by communicating regularly, treating others with respect and care, and identifying strategies to meet shared goals. •Contributed to the evaluation of research and monitoring programs at quarterly Committee meetings by sharing community feedback, data, and analysis of trends. This helped the Committee make informed decisions about these programs moving forward. •Supported administrative and operational duties for the Committee, such as monitoring budgets, supervising contractors, reviewing contribution agreements, and composing correspondence. •Summarized information on numerous files related to fish and marine mammals in the western Arctic and prepared briefing materials and oral presentations for Committee members.

Alberta, Canada

Haines Junction, Yukon Territory

Provided technical field support and scientific advice for a wildlife research project in Yukon Territory. Data were collected and processed on key wildlife species using camera traps, acoustic bat detectors, mist nets, and vegetation survey equipment.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Master Of Arts - Ma, Geography, Environment, And Geomatics

Bachelor Of Science (Honours), Environmental Science, Concentration In Geography

Spring Semester

Study Abroad Semester

Education record

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Geography