Staff & Board
OUR BOARD
Vern Aro, serving as the President since 2019, brings a wealth of experience to the Sointula Museum board. A retired commercial fisherman and Computer/IT technician, Vern is not only a Finnish language speaker but also acts as a local Sointula historian, specializing in translating Finnish documents. With an extensive background in board service, he currently serves as the Director of Sointula Waterworks and has been involved with the Sointula Co-operative Store and Sointula Graveyard Society.
Darryl Luscombe, holding the positions of Treasurer and Vice-President, plays a crucial role in the financial aspects of the Sointula Museum. With a background as a photographer operating under the name Sointulart, Darryl brings a creative perspective to the board.
Kathleen Blohm, a Director since 2021, adds an artistic touch to the board as an accomplished artist with degrees in visual arts. With a teaching background at Glenlyon Norfolk School and board experience with the Sointula Ripple Society and Wild Island Food Coop, Kathleen is deeply involved in both art education and community development.
Ross Weaver, who joined as a Director in April 2022, brings a background in sculpture and welding from the Alberta College of Arts. Retired and experienced in board service with the Sointula Water Works Board, Ross adds valuable insights to the artistic and practical aspects of the museum.
Jill Miles, appointed as a Director in April 2023, contributes her experience as a retired accommodation owner/operator. With a history of board service in various organizations, including the Sointula Museum, Harmony Glen Seniors Housing, and the Sointula Recreation Association, Jill brings a wealth of community-oriented knowledge to the board.
Sisko Salo, also appointed as a Director in April 2023, adds a unique perspective with her background as a retired Finnish researcher and translator. Her expertise enriches the cultural diversity within the Sointula Museum board.
OUR STAFF
Mary Harrison (currently on Maternity-Leave)
Community Engagement & Development Coordinator
Mary Elizabeth Harrison, currently serving as the Community Engagement and Development Coordinator, brings extensive museum experience to the Sointula Museum. Her educational background includes BA in Art History, a diploma in Cultural Resource Management and Certificates in Visitor and Community Engagement and Collections Management, all obtained from the University of Victoria. Mary has contributed her expertise to prominent institutions such as the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Delta Museum and Archives Society, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, where she held various roles, including Associate Curator and Lead Curator. Actively engaged in the cultural community, she sits on the organizing committee for the Lower Mainland Curators Group.
Kathy Gibler
Manager
Kathy Gibler, serving as the Manager since 2017, has a rich background in cultural management. Having first moved to the island in the early 1970s, Kathy’s experiences extend globally, including five years of living and working in China, where she became fluent in Mandarin. She played a significant role on the board of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, serving from 1998 to 2005 and as president from 2002 to 2004. Kathy’s leadership continued as the Executive Director of the Garden from 2006 until her retirement in 2016. She has also contributed her expertise to various advisory boards, including the UBC Arts Co-op Advisory Board and the City of Vancouver’s Cultural Tourism Task Force and Arts and Cultural Advisory Board.
Micheal Tynjala
Summer Museum Coordinator
Micheal Tynjala, currently serving as the Summer Coordinator, has extensive knowledge of the island’s history and the museum’s collection. He is a fifth-generation descendant of the original settlers and has spent all 23 years of his life in Sointula. His involvement with the museum spans over half his life, first volunteering at the age of 11 and spending two seasons as the Summer Student before stepping away at age 14 to experience the declining gillnet salmon fishing industry. He returned to the museum in early 2021 to contribute to an archival documentation project and has held the role of the Museum Coordinator for the last three summers. Learn more about Micheal in our interview with him!
Kezra Nelson
Program Assistant – Education (Canada Summer Jobs)
Biography to come!
plan your visit
Every journey to Sointula begins and ends with a boat trip – it’s part of the adventure!
