Russell is an aboriginal land use planner with nearly 15 years experience, much of it in the Skeena-Bulkley area. Russell began with teaching popular software, added field inventorying and cultural mapping, branched out to include helping develop criteria and indicators for sustainable forestry, and is currently building a sustainable resources department from scratch. Along the way he's written a book, entitled Voice On The Land, and scribbled innumerable limericks and sonnets.
Russell currently sits on the boards for West Coast Environmental Law Association, Hollyhock Leadership Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council - Canada, and of course, the Northwest Institute for Bioregional Studies.
When I was young and time stretched limitless
I set my sights on gaining my degree,
and, dreaming of a magpie artist's nest,
I vowed to please an audience of me.
Then as a man I learned to map and plot,
and cultural heritage and trails describe.
With database and transect true I sought
to please the leaders of the Gitxsan tribe.
So what comes next, now I am middle-aged?
I've penned a book that's read from coast to coast.
I've done my best where land use wars are waged.
For all I've fought, who's benefited most?